HJNO Jul/Aug 2020

58 JUL / AUG 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS Hospital Rounds Ochsner Health and BioInfoExperts Complete First Genomic Sequences of COVID-19 fromNewOrleans Scientists from BioInfoExperts LLC (BIE) and Ochsner Health have completed the first whole genome sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 corona- virus from the New Orleans area. By breaking down the virus to its most basic building blocks, researchers are one step closer to understand- ing viral spread across the state. One additional sequence, originating from Baton Rouge, has been released by the Centers for Disease Control. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the New Orleans and Baton Rouge genomes are closely related. The Louisiana genomes also group with other genomes mainly derived from the North- west United States, highlighting the potential role of travel in the spread of COVID-19. Using viral samples collected from COVID-19 infected patients in New Orleans, BIE and Och- sner teamed up to implement FoxSeq – a cloud- based software which uses bacterial genomes to track infection through a process called “Preci- sion Epidemiology.” Based in Thibodaux, La., BIE is funded to develop FoxSeq by the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovative Research Program. “Together, our teams are utilizing high-through- put technology and advanced analytics that will enable us to better understand and treat COVID- 19. Similarly to how Ancestry.com uses human DNA to find out where people come from, we are studying the building blocks or RNA of this specific virus to find out how it compares to the larger global epidemic,” said Susanna Lamers, CEO of BIE. “ After Ochsner research scientist Dr. Amy Fee- han and Lamers met in February at a New Orleans BioInnovation Center event, and in considering the burgeoning pandemic, BIE quickly pivoted its existing technology in collaboration with Och- sner to better understand COVID-19 progression in critical care patients. Unlocking the virus’ code provides researchers with a key puzzle piece needed to identify treat- ment therapies to help communities hit hard by the spread of COVID-19. In addition to experi- encing some of the highest per-capita rates of COVID-19 infection, New Orleans has a high rate of comorbidities, including hypertension, diabe- tes, and obesity, which are associated with signifi- cant health complications from COVID-19. “Pathogen genomics is a powerful tool to learn how the viral epidemic evolved in our state and also how the virus impacts a patient’s innate micro- bial populations, which may be associated with immune failure,” said Lamers. “Researchers have found that many critical patients develop addi- tional bacterial infections leading to pneumonia. There may be microbial markers present in those infected that will help identify which patients will progress to a more critical disease. New tech- nologies and new ways to evaluate patients are required to understand the microbial landscape in patients, which may lead to novel therapies and testing strategies.” Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz, director clinical infectious diseases and multispecialties research at Och- sner Health added, “Through a rather phenome- nal effort, our teams came together to launch this initiative. We have several strategies to generate predictive models, one of which will focus on viral quantification and genomics. This research can help us predict how COVID-19 may impact dif- ferent patient populations, allowing us to treat patients with better targeted therapies.” Garcia-Diaz and Feehan are the lead Ochsner researchers for this project. Key personnel at BIE include David Nolan, the pathogen sequencing expert for the BIE Laboratory at the University of Florida’s Sid Martin Biotech Incubator in Alachua, Fla., and Dr. Rebecca Rose, CTO at BIE who is responsible for FoxSeq technology development and data analytics. The sequences were gener- ated on the Illumina NextSeq500 at the Univer- sity of Florida’s Interdisciplinary Center for Bio- technology Research under the direction of Dr. David Moraga Amador. Ochsner currently has more than 30 clinical stud- ies and trials for COVID-19 treatment underway. LakeviewRegional Opens Zen Zone for Employee Quiet Time Lakeview Regional Medical Center has opened a “Zen Zone,” available all day, every day to all employees and physicians. The Zen Zone is a quiet area located in the Pel- ican Room on the first floor of the hospital. “We wanted to provide a place for our employees to go and find peace during this difficult time,” said Hiral Patel, CEO of Lakeview Regional. “They are giving every single bit of themselves to combat- ting this virus, and often don’t have much time unwind and recharge to stay in the fight. We hope this small bit of quiet and zen-like atmosphere helps to provide them with that opportunity.” Northshore Community Foundation, through a donation from their “Community Heroes Help- ing Healthcare Heroes” program, partnered with Lakeview Regional to furnish this room with yoga mats and work out balls for stress reduction, ear- phones, and recliners to help relax, and diffus- ers filled with lavender essential oil to provide a calming space. In addition, Lakeview Regional offers an employee assistance program through Beacon Health to assist employees with any concern or problem affecting behavioral health or well-being. This free resource includes counseling services. SMHBoard of Commissioners Selects Sandy Badinger as Chief Executive Officer Slidell Memorial Hospital Board of Commis- sioners announced they have selected Sandy Badinger, MBA, as chief executive officer. Under terms of the partnership between SMH and Ochsner Health, Badinger is now the CEO of the Slidell market, including SMH, Ochsner Medical Center – Northshore, and related clinics and outpatient facilities. Badinger, who has been interim CEO since December of 2019, has served as chief financial officer of the Slidell Joint Operat- ing Agreement (JOA) for four years, and as SMH chief financial officer since 2012. “I am excited to formally accept the position as chief executive officer,” said Badinger. “I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing team at Slidell Memorial for the past eight years and at Ochsner since 2016, and I look forward to continu- ing the progress we’ve made for our community.” In her role as CFO, she has been hugely instru- mental in progressing JOA operations. SMH and Ochsner Medical Center – Northshore have added 270 jobs since the collaboration began. Badinger also played a vital role in the success- ful implementation of Epic electronic medical record system at SMH in July of 2019. Addition- ally, she has led a series of bond refundings for