HJNO Mar/Apr 2020

56 MAR / APR 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Hospital Rounds Ochsner Hospital for Children Offers Solution for Pediatric Scoliosis Ochsner Hospital for Children is the only facility in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to offer ver- tebral body tethering (VBT) – an innovative solu- tion to treating scoliosis in pediatric patients that is less invasive than traditional surgical treatments. Ochsner Hospital for Children’s Chief of Pedi- atric Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon Lawrence Haber, MD, is one of a select number of physi- cians in the country who performs VBT. Addition- ally, Ochsner Hospital for Children was one of the first in the country to use a new device (known as The Tether™) for VBT approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in August of 2019.  Haber has more than four years of experience with VBT and is committed to a minimally inva- sive approach, which uses small incisions to insert six to eight screws onto the part of the spine the curve points toward, also known as the convex side of the curve. A flexible tether is inserted into the screws, which are then pressed together, lock- ing the cord into place. The tension created by the cord straightens the curve and regulates the growth of the spine. VBT offers an alternative to traditional surgical procedures, resulting in a much shorter recovery time. Before VBT, patients underwent a spinal fusion surgery – an invasive procedure in which metal rods and screws are placed on both sides of the spine to correct the curvature. The metal rods used in a spinal fusion restricts a patient’s flexibility and there is a long recovery post-surgery. An estimated six to nine million Americans are impacted by scoliosis – a curve in the spine that can present itself at any age, but is much more common in teens and pre-teens. In young chil- dren, making sure the spine stays straight enough for lung development is most important. In older children, the biggest concern is the actual defor- mity it causes. Depending on the severity of the sideways curve of the spine, traditional treatment options for scoliosis included bracing, casting, therapy and surgery. Haber says, “Vertebral body tethering is a game changer when it comes to caring for pediatric patients with severe curves in their spine. We’re able to deliver dramatic, life changing results with less recovery time and scarring. Embracing this innovative procedure is one of many ways Och- sner Hospital for Children is investing in the future and wellbeing of our patients.” Originally from Texas, Haber has more than 20 years of experience and is a nationally-recognized pediatric spine surgeon. Haber holds a bache- lor’s degree from Texas Christian University and attended medical school at Texas Tech University. He completed orthopedic training at the Medi- cal College of Virginia and completed a Pediat- ric Orthopedic Fellowship at Vanderbilt Univer- sity. Haber served as chief of pediatric orthopedic surgery for more than a decade at the University of Mississippi Medical Center prior to joining the team at Ochsner Hospital for Children in 2016. In addition to introducing VBT, Ochsner’s ortho- pedic services recently grew with the opening of the new Ochsner Hospital for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – a 58,000 square foot state-of- the-art facility specifically designed for orthope- dic and sports medicine surgery. Located at 1221 S. Clearview Pkwy., Ochsner Hospital for Orthope- dics & Sports Medicine underwent extensive reno- vations, which began in October of 2017. For the third year in a row, Ochsner Hospital for Children has been named among the top 50 children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. Ochsner Hospi- tal for Children was recognized in two special- ties, cardiology and heart surgery and gastroen- terology and gastrointestinal surgery. St. Tammany Issues New Corporate Identity The Board of Commissioners of St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 unveiled a new logo identity and defining statements around their mission, vision, and values as a community healthcare resource. To better convey its modern focus and respon- sibilities, St. Tammany Parish Hospital is now reflected as St. Tammany Health System. The new name was introduced along with a fresh new corporate identity including logo, mission, vision, and values statements at a 65th anniver- sary event at the hospital. “Sunday Dec. 1 marked our 65th birthday,” explained Joan Coffman FACHE, president and CEO, “and that felt like a perfectly fitting day to update how we represent ourselves and convey the promises we have been making and keeping