HJNO May/Jun 2023

62 MAY / JUN 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS Hospital Rounds St. Tammany Health System Introduces Daily Pay Benefit for Employees St. Tammany Health System (STHS) rolled out an additional optional payroll benefit in mid-March, giving employees the option to access a portion of their earned pay every day. “The needs of our colleagues are evolving just as the workforce as a whole changes, too. We want to continually offer employees the tools they need to support their life work balance and the career path they choose,” said Christopher Ford, the health system’s senior vice president of human resources. “To do this we stay informed of, and in- tune with, market advances.” “We know that this benefit will help colleagues who need it to find their way out of a financial jam with their earned wages, it will support what we now know as the ‘gig economy’, and it will help to incentivize colleagues to pick up shifts,” Ford added. “Two of our core values are teamwork and innovation, and this new optional benefit embod- ies both.” STHS is the first health system in the region to offer this pay benefit. For employees who choose to utilize it, this benefit will allow employees to draw down a portion of their pay within 24 hours of the end of their most recent shift. The daily pay option joins a recently enhanced suite of benefits offered to employees at the Cov- ington-based health system, which in December was named to New Orleans CityBusiness’ list of Best Places to Work in New Orleans. Terrebonne General Health SystemAppoints Bernie Clement as VP of Information, Innovation Terrebonne General Health System announced the appointment of Bernie Clement to the posi- tion of vice president of information and innova- tion. Clement has held many leadership positions with East Jefferson General Hospital and other local facilities. Over his 30-year professional career, he has led data-driven strategic planning projects and growth initiatives. Clement will continue to direct and lead all daily aspects of information technology and spearhead various growth and innovation projects. Clement holds a Bachelor of Science in Busi- ness Administration from The University of Southwestern Louisiana and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Informa- tion Technology from Houston Baptist University. He is also certified in lean project management. “Clement’s extensive knowledge in information technology and process improvement will con- tinue to be instrumental in the advancement and growth of Terrebonne General. We are thrilled for Bernie to join our executive leadership team,” said Phyllis Peoples, president, and CEO. NOHealth Department, Children’s Hospital NO Launch Be SMART Program Guns are the leading cause of death for kids under 18 in Louisiana and across the United States. Children’s Hospital New Orleans and the New Orleans Health Department are taking action by partnering with Be SMART to urgently educate the community about responsible gun ownership to protect kids and reduce child firearm deaths. Be SMART is a national program designed to help parents and adults normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions to prevent child gun deaths and injuries. Today, 4.6 million children across the United States live in homes with at least one gun that is loaded and unlocked. Each year in the U.S., 350 children gain access to a firearm and unintention- ally shoot themselves or someone else — some- times fatally. And more than 700 children die by suicide with a gun each year. During a news conference at Children’s Hospi- tal New Orleans, community leaders from the City of New Orleans, Moms Demand Action, American Academy of Pediatrics, and leaders and physicians from Children’s Hospital New Orleans gathered to address the critical issue of gun safety in our community. "For years, our healthcare providers have cared for thousands of New Orleanians with gunshot wounds, and every one is devastating," said Jen- nifer Avegno, MD, director of the New Orleans Health Department. "As adults, we're responsi- ble for keeping our children safe. That's why it is crucial for us to store guns securely if we have them— and encourage friends and neighbors to practice secure storage whenever children visit their homes.” Guns should be stored unloaded, separate from ammunition, and locked in boxes, safes, or with cable locks. In partnership with Be SMART, Chil- dren’s Hospital New Orleans and the New Orleans Health Department will share this important mes- sage via broad public education mediums includ- ing sharing messaging and resources on social media, print, outdoor and radio ads, targeted mailings, and distribution of materials through schools, healthcare settings, community organi- zations, and special events. “We urge the community to join us in spreading this life saving message across New Orleans and beyond,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “As the only verified Level II Pediatric Trauma Center serv- ing Greater New Orleans, we care for far too many of these children in our Emergency Department, our operating rooms and Intensive Care Units. But together, we have the power to prevent tragedies like these from happening and to keep kids happy and healthy.” In collaboration with the City of New Orleans Office of Neighborhood Engagement, public events are being scheduled where free biometric gun locks will be available to residents, along with education on how to use them, how to securely store guns, and prevent injury and death among children. Gun locks can also be requested on Chil- dren’s Hospital’s website at chnola.org/besmart , along with education and resources. Funding for the biometric gun locks is made possible through a grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the City of New Orleans, and Children’s Hospital. “Be SMART advocates in Louisiana are thrilled to stand shoulder to shoulder with public safety leaders across New Orleans,” said Shannon Bernie Clement