HJNO Sep/Oct 2019

Healthcare Journal of New Orleans I  SEP / OCT 2019 39 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com homelessness, poverty and/or substance abuse in Greater New Orleans. • Therapeutic Counseling Clinic, Inc., in Boga- lusa, La., for Nutrition for a Healthier Tomorrow, a collaborative community project to address health, nutrition and wellness for youth and homeless populations in Washington Parish. The Community Health Grants programmade available up to $90,000 in grant funds for up to six eligible schools, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare providers in Louisiana. Applicants were required to submit detailed descriptions of the projects for which funding was requested as well as descriptions of anticipated long- and short-term outcomes. Projects were required to address hunger, food insecurity and/or food access at the community level. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food inse- curity often requires a household to choose between basic necessities, such as medical needs or housing, and purchasing healthy foods. In Louisiana, 20 percent of the population are classified as food insecure, according to Hunger FreeAmerica.The state also has the second high- est rate of food insecure children, and the high- est rate of food insecure seniors, in the nation, the agency reported in its 2017 National Report on Hunger. “Food insecurity is one of the most serious social determinants of health in our state, and it is one that affects every community,” said Chel- sea Graves, community relations principal at Lou- isiana Healthcare Connections. “The organiza- tions selected for grant funding demonstrated a clear commitment to making a meaningful dif- ference in the communities they serve, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to support their efforts.” Louisiana Healthcare Connections’ Commu- nity Health Grants program launched in 2018 as part of the health plan’s efforts to combat food insecurity and hunger in Louisiana. The Healthy Louisiana Medicaid health plan has also imple- mented a number of other food insecurity-fo- cused programs, including a physician toolkit to help healthcare professionals identify and address food insecurity at the point of care. “Improving health outcomes requires a comprehensive approach.Access to quality care is critical, but families needmore to achieve long- term improvements in their health,” said Kendra Case, COO.“By providing the tools and resources needed to address issues like food insecurity, and by partnering with organizations that share our commitment to building healthy communities, we have the opportunity to truly transformhealth in our state, one person at a time.” Baptist Community Ministries Hires NewHealth Grant ProgramDirector Baptist Community Ministries (BCM), a pri- vate foundation providing philanthropic ser- vices and promoting health and well-being in the Greater New Orleans Area, announced the hire of Adrienne Warren as program director of health grants.  In her new role, Warren will guide the develop- ment, implementation, evaluation, and improve- ment of evidence-based health policy and prac- tice supported by BCM grant funds.With special attention on health grants,Warren will further the mission of creating a healthy community that cre- ates a state of positive physical,mental, spiritual, and social well-being. “We’re thrilled to have Adrienne join us to fur- ther our mission of delivering health and wellness to our community,” said Charles Beasley, presi- dent and CEO of BCM. “As we care about each trustee and every staff member, we know she will join us in our commitment to caring deeply about the well-being of our community’s citizens.” Warren previously served as the regional direc- tor of Resources for Human Development – Loui- siana providing strategic direction and overseeing seven large behavioral health programs serving clients with severe mental illness located in the southeast Louisiana region. During this time, she increased hospital diversion rate tomore than 92 percent (out of more than 400 clients with severe mental illness) and achieved 90 percent hous- ing stability for clients served. There, she was awarded the three-year accreditation by CARF International, indicating dedication and com- mitment to improving the quality of life of per- sons served. Warren currently serves asMental Health Court Committee member for the Jefferson Parish Behavioral Health Taskforce and as a Criminal JusticeWorkgroupmember for the NewOrleans Health Department’s Behavioral Health Council. Warren has been recognized by the UN World Summit with the Youth Award, (Voices of Africa) and is a grant recipient from the National Insti- tute of Health’s Health in International Research Training. Warren earned a bachelor’s degree fromDillard University and a Master of Public Health degree fromTulane University in 2010. LSUHealth’s Lazarus Elected to NRMP Board Cathy Lazarus, MD, FACP, associate dean for Student Affairs and Records at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, is one of five people recently elected to a four-year termon the board of directors of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Using a computerized mathematical algo- rithm, the National Resident Matching Program matchesmedical school graduates with available positions at U.S. residency programs. It is gov- erned by a 19-member board of directors, which includes medical school deans, institutional offi- cials and clinical programdirectors, resident/fel- low physicians, and medical students. “The Nominating Committee received a large number of nominations of accomplished, well-qualified individuals,” said NRMP Board Chair-Elect Dr. Steven Scheinman.“The commit- tee was especially impressed by the five remark- able individuals who have been elected. We look forward to working with our new colleagues as they contribute their wisdom to the NRMP.”  Lazarus has served on numerous committees Adrienne Warren