HJNO Jan/Feb 2022

Q&A Lauren DeFrates Vice President of Emergency Medicine Services Ochsner Health Stephanie Anderson, MSN-HCSM, RN Director of Nursing of Emergency Medicine Services Ochsner Health Sandra Prather, MSN, RN-CEN Emergency Department Director Ochsner Health’s River Region Jon “Michael” Cuba, MD Emergency Medicine Services Line Chairman Ochsner Health Lauren DeFrates is the vice president of emergency medicine services for Ochsner Health. She is responsible for the strategic vision, long-term planning, direction and overall accountability of over 20 emergency departments across the gulf south region. DeFrates received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado State University where she earned a commission in the Air Force. She has served for 20 years on both active duty and in the reserves, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. DeFrates completed a Master of Science in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans and possesses a medical practice executive certification. Stephanie Anderson, MSN-HCSM, RN, is the director of nursing of emergency medicine services at Ochsner Health. She has been with the organization for 16 years, holding various roles — ED tech/bedside nurse, clinic manager, ED director, director of operations. She is a member of ENA and AONL. Anderson received a Bachelor of Science degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College and a Master of Science in Nursing - HCSM from Loyola University New Orleans. In her current role, Anderson assists with standardization for the emergency departments across the system and helps support the ED nursing leadership teams. Sandra Prather, MSN, RN-CEN, is the emergency department director for Ochsner Health’s River Region. She has 20-plus years of clinical and leadership experience in emergency medicine. She is responsible for the delivery of patient care that promotes safety and well-being of all patients by directing and evaluating the overall clinical nursing practice and administrative activities, including fiscal, material and human resource management. Prather received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in administration from the University of Phoenix. Her background as a paramedic and paramedic instructor has been instrumental in the implementation of paramedics in Ochsner’s emergency departments. Jon “Michael” Cuba, MD, is the emergency medicine service line chairman for Ochsner Health. He is board certified in emergency medicine and has oversight of the operations of Ochsner emergency departments across the Gulf South region. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University and a medical degree from the UAB School of Medicine. He completed an emergency medicine residency at LSU in Baton Rouge. Cuba recently served as president of the Louisiana chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and is a member of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine.