HJNO Sep/Oct 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  SEP / OCT 2020 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com in Natchitoches. She is certified in neonatal inten- sive care by the National Certification Corpora- tion. Additionally, she holds certification in the care of acutely and critically ill neonatal patients through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. STQNAnnounces 2020 Second Quarter Medical Director’s Award St. Tammany Quality Network (STQN) presented its 2020 second-quarter Medical Director’s Award to the Northlake Pulmonary Group for their care in treating critically ill COVID-19 patients at St. Tam- many Health System (STHS). “The care this group provided to our sickest patients was nothing short of spectacular,” said Dr. Michael K. Hill. “The team continuously devel- oped protocols to deal with the changing infor- mation concerning the treatment of COVID-19 patients. This included new ways to ventilate patients and new supportive protocols. Addi- tionally, the group also recognized and promptly treated the complications associated with this novel coronavirus. “ “COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on our most vulnerable patients,” Hill said. “It was inspir- ing to see these physicians take the lead in deliv- ering the newest and most effective care to our community. Their dedication to patient care is remarkable.” The Northlake Pulmonary Group includes Drs. LaSandra Barton, Ricardo Blanco, Rick Casey, David Cressy, Don Kuebel, and Chad VanAsselberg. These physicians continue to advance pulmo- nary care and implement the latest diagnostic techniques. One such example is the implemen- tation of endobronchial ultrasound, also known as EBUS. Blanco helped spearhead the imple- mentation of this diagnostic procedure almost six years ago. The EBUS procedure is useful in earlier diagno- sis of lung cancer, atypical pulmonary infections, and inflammatory lung disease. The group also provides critical care coverage at STHS, assists in the treatment of chronic lung diseases, and per- forms sleep studies and treats patients with sleep apnea. Many of the physicians are also actively involved in the St. Tammany cancer program at STHS and are active in several STQN committees. U.S. News &World Report Names STHS High Performing U.S. News & World Report named St. Tammany Health System high performing for 2020-21 in care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). The annual ratings, now in their sixth year, assist patients and physicians to make informed deci- sions about best places for care of conditions and procedures. These ratings extend the mission of U.S. News & World Report, providing consumers with patient decision support beyond the Best Hospitals rankings, which are geared toward com- plex specialty care. St. Tammany Health System earned High Per- forming ratings for COPD and CHF in recogni- tion of care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes. High Performing is the highest rating U.S. News awards for those types of care. For the 2020-21 ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in nine pro- cedures and conditions. Less than one third of hospitals received high-performing ratings. Dr. Frank Pigula Joins Children’s Hospital NewOrleans as Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Co-Director of Heart Center Children’s Hospital New Orleans announced that Frank Pigula, MD, will serve as chief of pedi- atric cardiothoracic surgery. Pigula’s extensive background includes 12 years as clinical director of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at Boston Chil- dren’s Hospital, the #1 ranked children’s hospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Pigula has also held leadership positions in cardiac sur- gery at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Norton Children’s (formerly Kosair Children’s), and most recently at AdventHealth Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Fla. Pigula will serve as co-director of the Heart Cen- ter at Children’s Hospital, alongside Dr. Thomas Kimball, chief of pediatric cardiology. Kimball St. Tammany Quality Network (STQN) presented its 2020 second-quarter Medical Director’s Award to the Northlake Pulmonary Group for their care in treating critically ill COVID-19 patients at St. Tammany Health System (STHS). The Northlake Pulmonary Group includes Drs. LaSandra Barton, Ricardo Blanco, Rick Casey, David Cressy, Don Kuebel, and Chad VanAsselberg. Tamara Mitchell, MHA, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CCRN-K