HJNO Nov/Dec 2022

36 NOV / DEC 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Healthcare Briefs other than nursing. Loyola graduate students of various specialties will also be using the Sim Lab. The Sim Lab furthers Loyola’s partnership with Ochsner, which provides the university’s undergraduate students access to clinical training and placements, eliminating common barriers for nursing students. Both programs are also supported through the Ochsner Scholars initiative, a tuition assistance program for aspiring nurses, allied health workers, and physicians who pledge to serve as Ochsner employees following education at an accredited school. “The Ochsner and Loyola partnership educates students at the highest levels of healthcare training, putting ethics and passionate commitment to excellence at the forefront of everything we do,” said Leonardo Seoane, MD, chief academic officer of Ochsner Health. “In partnering with Loyola, we leverage the human capital of our region and create a clear pathway for Louisiana’s nursing workforce. We believe that the high-caliber resources offered in this new simulation lab are key to developing the next generation of nurses.” Loyola’s new Sim Lab is equipped with high- fidelity mannequins capable of mimicking medical conditions that will improve or deteriorate based on the intervention provided by the nursing student. These lifelike mannequins are highly complex and responsive, designed to react like humans. The several simulators Loyola purchased includes one representing a full-term pregnant adult woman that is worn by someone “acting” in the role of the patient. This simulator allows students to experience a variety of birth scenarios and practice their skills assessing a woman experiencing complications of pregnancy. NCI NCORP-designated LSU Health NO, ConcertAI Announce Collaboration Addressing Diversity in Clinical Trials The National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program-designated Louisiana State University (LSU) Health New Orleans and ConcertAI, LLC, announced a five- year partnership to improve the diversity of clinical trials and ensure broader clinical trial access throughout the Gulf South region. The collaboration aligns to ConcertAI’s ERACE program. ERACE (Engaging Research to Achieve Cancer Care Equality) furthers equitable access, care, and outcomes for all patients using real- world data (RWD) and advanced technologies. “The collaboration will identify current cancer care disparities in Louisiana and how they can be addressed,” said Augusto Ochoa, MD, and LSU Health New Orleans NCORP principal investigator. “Insights gleaned from the novel real-world data advanced by the partnership will lead to evidence-based strategies to reduce health inequities among populations with existing disparities, including the implementation of AI-based capabilities to improve patient screening, engagement and recruitment at clinical trial sites throughout the region.” The collaboration is in line with the vision of NCI NCORP leadership. A $5.6 million grant from the NCI helped LSU Health New Orleans establish a clinical trials network throughout the Gulf South region. The NCI then awarded LSU Health New Orleans a $13.6 million grant to expand the network, emphasizing minority and underserved patients. Together with LSU Health’s clinical trial sites and real-world data from ConcertAI’s nationwide cancer care settings and “system of evidence,” the collaboration will assess the impact of the Gulf South Minority Underserved NCORP program on minority enrollment in clinical trials, retention, and health outcomes. Joining the effort is LSU Health New Orleans’ Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR), one of 21 cancer registries comprising the NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Funded by the grants from the NCI and CDC, it collects complete, high-quality, and timely population-based data in Louisiana to support cancer research, control, and prevention. FEMA Funeral Assistance Remains Available for COVID-19-Related Deaths The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, especially those who suffered loss due to the virus. Nothing can replace loved ones, but the Federal Emergency Management Those who had COVID-19-related funeral expenses can apply for FEMA Funeral Assistance by calling (844) 684-6333. Phone lines are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, Monday through Friday, with multilingual services available. Applicants requiring relay services, such as a videophone, Innocaption, or CapTel, must provide FEMA a specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact applicants. There is currently no deadline to apply for aid. The criteria to qualify for assistance includes: • The person died of COVID-19. • The death occurred in the U.S. • The applicant paid for funeral, burial, or cremation costs after Jan. 20, 2020. • The applicant is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or qualified refugee. The deceased does not need to meet these qualifications. When applicants call for assistance, they need to provide the following information: • Social security number. • Date of birth. • Current mailing address and phone number. • The deceased’s date of birth. • Location of deceased’s death. • Information about any funeral or burial insurance policies. • Information about other funeral assistance received, such as donations or CARES Act grants. Eligibility determinations are based on the submission of all required documents. Additional information and answers to frequently asked questions about the application process can be found on FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQ web page. CIS Earns Gold Awards for Cholesterol, Blood Pressure Control Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has received two gold awards from the American Heart Association for its commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke through cholesterol and blood pressure management. This recognition applies to all CIS clinics in Louisiana and Mississippi. In addition, CIS also received the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Award this year for having more than 70% of adult, at-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients