HJNO Jul/Aug 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JUL / AUG 2020 59 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com SMH, resulting in a savings to taxpayers of more than $2.7 million over the remaining life of the bond issues. “Together with Ochsner, the SMH Board was hopeful that Sandy would step into the position of CEO to lead SMH and our partnership,” said SMH Board Chairman Dan Ferrari. “She has shown us her outstanding leadership time and again, espe- cially as interim CEO through our current corona- virus crisis. She has the respect and trust of the SMH board, our partner Ochsner, physicians, and staff, and we are confident in her ability to be a strong leader for our hospital and clinics, as well as the community.” “Ochsner Health is excited that Sandy will be leading the amazing teams at SMH and OMC- Northshore,” said John Herman, CEO, Ochsner Health-Northshore Region. “Sandy has been an inspiring leader for the dedicated and heroic healthcare professionals at both organizations over the last few months and especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Sandy is dedicated to serving the communities of east St. Tammany. We are con- fident she will continue to lead SMH and OMC-NS during this time of great change in healthcare and create a stronger partnership poised to deliver exceptional healthcare in the future.” Badinger has more than 24 years of experience in healthcare finance, including leadership posi- tions in diverse and multi-hospital systems in the Greater New Orleans region. She came to SMH from Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital in Ham- mond, where she served as CFO since shortly after the specialty surgical opened in 2011. While there, she established significant operational and finan- cial processes for the new facility. Prior to that, she served as the CFO at Fairway Medical Center in Covington from 2008 to 2011. Badinger holds a Master of Business Adminis- tration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of New Orleans. Children’s Hospital NOOpens New Imaging Center Children’s Hospital New Orleans celebrated the opening of its new Imaging Center, serving patients from across Louisiana in a fully compre- hensive space equipped with the latest imaging technology, in a kid-friendly environment that amplifies the patient experience. “Our investments in infrastructure and tech- nology along with the unmatched expertise of our pediatric trained radiologists, nurses, tech- nologists, and staff are distinct and impactful for the state of Louisiana,” said John R. Nickens IV, president and chief executive office at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “The innovative imaging technology further enhances our ability to pro- vide expert care, in a calming environment that is designed only for kids. This is how we are Extraor- dinary Together for the children and families of Louisiana.” The center includes two new, state-of-the-art GE Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIs), one 3 Tesla and one 1.5 Tesla, with the strength of the mag- net and corresponding image resolution being the difference between the two. Both MRIs are part of an Adventure Series developed in partner- ship with GE that features custom travel-related themes, taking kids around the world and on outer space adventures as they undergo imag- ing tests. Children’s Hospital has also added a new Posi- tron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomog- raphy (PET/CT). The PET/CT takes kids on a pirate adventure, intended to remove some of the fear and anxiety that can come with the imag- ing process. “The innovative themes for the new equipment were selected by asking our own patients what they’d like to experience,” says Lindsey Casey, RN, assistance vice president of hospital opera- tions. “The noise in an MRI can be loud and scary for children. We’re focused on catering everything to the child and removing some of that fear and anxiety by replacing it with fun.” The Adventure Series continues in the space that houses a new, advanced GE Computed Tomography (CT) machine, along with a whimsical New Orleans theme. Children’s Nuclear Medicine team has also relocated to the new Imaging Cen- ter, now located in a fantasy castle-themed space. The new Imaging Center features four new X Ray/Flouroscopy rooms--compared to the pre- vious three--that connect to a spacious and bright radiology technologist workspace, creat- ing an optimal work environment. Each room also includes an adjoining dressing room, improving privacy and overall experience for patients and families. The two spacious ultrasound rooms in the new center are designed with experience in mind, featuring private bathrooms and a spacious and soothing environment. “Equipped with the latest technology and designed specifically for children, our Imaging Center is further complimented by our team of pediatric-trained radiologists,” says George Bis- set III, MD, radiologist and chief medical officer for Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “It is impor- tant to choose a children’s hospital because kids aren’t just little adults. Our pediatric experts are trained on scrutinizing growth plates in children, for example, an area where general radiologists have little training.” Workspace for team members includes a new, expanded radiologist reading room with expanded footprint and dedicated space for each radiologist. The center also features dedicated multipurpose space for education, consultation, and collaboration. “The Imaging Center at Children’s Hospital combines top experts in pediatric radiology with advanced technology to provide precise and safe imaging for our patients, in an environment that is child friendly at every level,” says Kenneth Ward, MD, service line chief for radiology at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “We now have a space that amplifies the breadth of experience offered by our radiology team.” Ochsner Health to Expand COVID-19 Viral Testing Criteria, Offer COVID-19 Antibody Testing Ochsner Health has expanded COVID-19 viral patient testing criteria to anyone who is symp- tomatic without limitation for age, with a focus on community hot spots. This will increase test- ing capabilities for children, patients at Ochsner Urgent Care locations, and will allow expanded testing to employers. Ochsner’s goal is to test as many people as supplies will allow; and through routine testing, they will be able to test 12,000 individuals for COVID-19 each week. Since the beginning of this crisis, COVID-19 testing remained one of the most critical tools for healthcare providers and care teams. Test rates in Louisiana are among the highest in the United States. In addition to COVID-19 viral tests, Ochsner has been validating its equipment for COVID- 19