HJNO Mar/Apr 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  MAR / APR 2020 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com Lake Wellness Center currently has eight loca- tions, including Lafayette, Covington, Houma, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, Destre- han, and Metairie.  U.S. News &World Report Names Ochsner’s Skilled Nursing Facility a 2019-2020 Best Nursing Home Ochsner Health System’s Skilled Nursing Facil- ity (SNF) is among the 19 percent of U.S. skilled nursing facilities that have been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2019-20 by U.S. News & World Report.  The facility earned Best Nursing Homes sta- tus by achieving a rating of High Performing, the highest possible rating, for short-term rehabili- tation. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those homes that satisfy U.S. News’s assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in qual- ity measures. Ochsner’s SNF is one of only eight facilities in Louisiana to achieve this prestigious recognition. “We are honored to be recognized as one of the nation’s best skilled nursing facilities and among only eight in the state of this high cali- ber," said Rob Wolterman, CEO, Ochsner South Shore Region. “Our physicians, nurses and staff contribute to this national recognition with their commitment to exceptional care for our patients.” Now in its 10th year, the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes ratings and profiles offer comprehensive information about care, safety, health inspections, staffing, and more for nearly all of the nation’s 15,000-plus nursing homes. The Best Nursing Homes ratings reflect U.S. News’ exclusive analy- sis of publicly available data using a methodology defined by U.S. News that evaluates factors that it has determined most greatly impact patient and resident care, safety, and outcomes. “For the aging population in America, a nurs- ing home should meet the specific level of care based on the needs of each patient or resident,” said Kim Castro, editor and chief content officer of U.S. News . "The U.S. News Best Nursing Home ratings hone in on measurements like emergency room visits, quality of staff and proper distribution of medical and physical therapy to help families make an informed decision,” she said. “These as the practice manager of the Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine (TISM). He was then promoted to director of ambulatory clinics in 2018 with opera- tional oversight of TISM, Tulane orthopedics, the Tulane Professional Athlete Care Team clinic, the Tulane Dermatology Clinic, and the Tulane Pul- monary Clinic. Prior to Hughes’ arrival at Tulane Health System, he earned a Master’s Degree in Health Adminis- tration from Tulane University. He then completed an administrative residency at Touro Infirmary and an administrative fellowship at Ochsner Health System. LakeWellness Center Expands Addiction Treatment toMedicaid Patients Amid Opioid Epidemic Lake Wellness Center, an addiction treatment center throughout south Louisiana, expanded statewide access to its Medication Assisted Treat- ment (MAT) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services for more than 750,000 patients in part- nering Medicaid Certified Organizations (MCOs). “At Lake Wellness Center, we are fulfilling a need for those living with the disease of addic- tion,” said Alisha Verrett, patient admissions man- ager of Lake Wellness Center. “With this new part- nership, we have the opportunity to provide our services to more patients throughout Louisiana. No patient should be left behind.” Nationwide, opioid-related fatalities have increased by 33 percent over the past five years and continue to spread both geographically and through different demographic groups. Addic- tion’s negative impact on individual lives, fami- lies, and communities has become increasingly apparent to many American citizens - especially in Louisiana.  Louisiana has five MCOs including Aetna Bet- ter Health Louisiana, AmeriHealth Caritas of Lou- isiana, Healthy Blue, Louisiana Healthcare Con- nections, and United Healthcare Community Plan. Lake Wellness Center partnered with Louisiana Healthcare Practitioners to help alleviate chemi- cal dependency throughout rural communities in 2019, since economically challenged communi- ties are most affected by substance abuse. Part- nerships with MCOs enable Lake Wellness Cen- ter to expand access to treatment services and enhance standards of care. Bernard Mattox is a mixed media artist with a prolific career spanning more than four decades. Born in New Orleans, he has lived on the North- shore for more 30 years.  The Healing Arts Initiative is a program of the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation to promote art as a core component of healthcare and the healing process in the hospital and its outpatient facilities. Healing Arts Initiative Committee Chair Mary Lee observed, “Art’s purpose in healing has been supported by science-based studies and ongoing research for decades. Members of The HAI Com- mittee have witnessed this first hand with patients, family members, and staff alike. The power and impact in art’s ability to heal is undeniable. It’s amazing to witness passersby take in the beauty of installed artwork as a reprieve from current challenges. They trade their stress in exchange for clarity, inspiration, strength, and a moment of hope. We can all use a little more healing in this world! This is our way of delivering this invaluable commodity to our community.” Tulane Health Promotes Hughes to VP of Orthopedics and Surgery Tulane Health System has promoted Ben Hughes to vice president of orthopedics and sur- gery for Tulane Health System, where he will lead growth, service, and operational initiatives for the service lines. “Ben has a proven record of physician engage- ment and patient satisfaction,” said Tom Patrias, chief operating officer for Tulane Health System. “We look forward to what he will accomplish in his newly expanded role.” Hughes joined Tulane Medical Center in 2016 Ben Hughes