HJNO Jan/Feb 2022

60 JAN / FEB 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS Hospital Rounds STHS Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Christens New Space with Second Line St. Tammany Health System relocated its Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on Oct. 20 with a New Orleans second line parade. With Giraffe OmniBed incubator in tow, Kristine Chimento, MD, medical director of the 14-bed NICU, and the entire care team paraded to Mardi Gras music, waving pink and blue hankies down the hallway from the old to the new NICU. According to Suzanne Fraiche, director of the health system’s NICU and Ochsner Hospital for Children at St. Tammany Health System, the cele- bration was apropos given how quickly western St. Tammany’s population continues to grow. The new NICU is the latest activation in St. Tam- many Health System’s recently completed four- story new patient tower, encompassing signif- icantly more space to accommodate advanced technology for the Northshore’s most fragile new- borns. The large, modern space also adds com- fort for families of neonates admitted to the unit. “We are jazzed to be in this new NICU,” Chi- mento said. “I really enjoyed second-lining because I’ve been waiting so patiently for the day that we were able to move and provide more comfort and care for these babies.” Chimento said that with recent investments in technology and the addition of more pediatric specialists over the past few years at St. Tammany Health System, fewer babies will require transport to other facilities in the region to receive the care they need. “That means so much for a family, to be close to their babies while they’re getting this care,” Chimento said. “This neonatal ICU, with its larger space, definitely gives us the ability to take great care of these patients and continue providing world-class healthcare close to home.” The Level III NICU, STHS pediatric emergency department and a third-floor pediatric inpatient and intensive unit known as Ochsner Hospital for Children at St. Tammany Health System serves children on the Northshore. Designated a Cer- tified Autism Center by IBCCES, Ochsner Hos- pital for Children at St. Tammany Health Sys- tem is staffed by Ochsner and STHS physicians and nurses with specialized training in caring for patients age 18 and under. Terrebonne General Health SystemWelcomes NewPulmonologist Terrebonne General Health System welcomed pulmonologist Ugochukwu “Ugo” D.S. Ezema, MD, to their medical staff and Terrebonne Gen- eral Pulmonology Care. Ezema received a Bachelor of Science from Nicholls State University in 2009. He earned a Doc- tor of Medicine from St. Matthews School of Med- icine in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, in 2015. He completed an internal medicine residency at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma in 2018 and a Pulmonary and Critical Care Program at Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans in 2021. While in training, he conducted numerous pre- sentations and research on pulmonary disor- ders. He also received the Doctor of the Quarter award in 2017 while at Leonard J. Chabert Medi- cal Center. TulaneMedical Center Acquires Single-Port Robotic Surgery System Tulane Medical Center recently acquired an innovative single port (SP) DaVinci robotic sur- gery system. The new robotic system is designed to enable surgeons deep and narrow access into body tissue through a small, single incision to per- form complex procedures such as prostate and kidney cancer surgeries. A single incision means less pain, scarring and recovery time for patients. “To be the first hospital in our area to acquire this technologically advanced robotic surgical system demonstrates our dedication to improve surgery outcomes and positively impact patients’ lives,” said Tom Patrias, Tulane Health System CEO. “The advanced system allows for more com- plex, minimally invasive surgeries while providing a better experience for patients.” Children’s Hospital NOOpens NewPediatric ER inMetairie Children’s Hospital New Orleans announced the opening of its new pediatric Emergency Room in Metairie. The 11-bed ER enhances access to pediatric emergency services for Jefferson Par- ish children and families, providing a complete range of emergency services to care for children from birth through age 21, in addition to sched- uled imaging tests. “Children’s Hospital is proud to bring special- ized pediatric emergency care closer to home for families on the East bank of Jefferson Parish,” said John R. Nickens IV, president and CEO of Chil- dren’s Hospital New Orleans. “With our robust primary and specialty care network in Metairie, expanding services to include emergency care will best serve the nearly 50,000 children of this com- munity with expert care from our team of pediat- ric emergency medicine providers.” The new facility, located at the corner of Clear- view Parkway and Veterans Blvd., offers 24/7 full- service emergency care. The comprehensive emergency center connects specialized pediatric emergency services with Children’s Hospital’s net- work of pediatric specialists. Diagnostic imaging services include CT scans, X-ray and ultrasound. “This investment is a reflection of LCMC Health’s commitment to provide accessible, extraordinary care for children within our local communities,” said Greg Feirn, CEO of LCMC Health. “The proj- ect also brings 64 new jobs to Jefferson Parish, staffed by a dedicated team of pediatric emer- gency medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, pediatric nurses, and other team members.” LakeviewRegional Medical Center Receives Level II Trauma Center Verification Lakeview Regional Medical Center, a campus of Tulane Medical Center, has met the national requirements set by the American College of Sur- geons (ACS) as a verified Level II Trauma Center. Lakeview Regional is one of nine hospitals in Louisiana with a Trauma Center designation. Ugochukwu “Ugo” D.S. Ezema, MD