HJNO Nov/Dec 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  NOV / DEC 2023 37 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Once the new- est fellows are inducted, the academy will com- prise of more than 3,000 leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia that champion health and wellness, locally and globally. DISC of Louisiana Partners with AVALA to FormAVALA Spine AVALA announced the expansion of its phy- sician partnerships with the addition of AVALA Spine, formerly DISC of Louisiana. Beginning Sept. 1, DISC of Louisiana will do business as AVALA Spine. AVALA Spine is locally owned and specializes in conservative treatments, including minimally invasive spine surgery treating back, neck, leg, and arm pain. AVALA Spine physicians include Samer Shamieh, MD, Jeremy James, MD, Justin Owen, MD, and Sean Michael Rider, MD. Clinics are located at 76 Starbrush Circle, Cov- ington; 15828 Professional Plaza, Hammond; 4441 N. Interstate 10 Service Road W., Metairie; 1540 Lindberg Drive Suite 4, Slidell; and 459 Corpo- rate Drive, Houma. DCHCHolds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Algiers Health Center DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC), which operates 11 health centers throughout metro New Orleans, held a groundbreaking cer- emony for its new health center at 2801 General DeGaulle Drive in Algiers on Sept. 1. The entirely new construction health center facility, comprising 20,000 square feet at a cost of $14.4 million, is scheduled to open Septem- ber 2024. Several political officials and commu- nity leaders participated in the groundbreaking ceremony. The Algiers site is one of two new health cen- ter locations DCHC plans to open in 2024. DCHC is also scheduled to open a health center (8,700 square feet; $4.3 million) in the new H3C facil- ity located on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. in early 2024. DCHC held a ribbon cutting April 6 for its new 9,400 square foot Westbank Expressway health center, located at 1629 Westbank Express- way in Harvey. David Theard Announced as NewHeart Walk Chair Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Greater New Orleans, and David Theard, employee benefits consultant at Cadence Insur- ance, is working hand-in-hand with the Ameri- can Heart Association to change that. Theard will serve as chairperson for the 2023 New Orleans Heart Walk and lead this community event focused on engaging local companies, corpo- rations, and their employees to join the fight against heart disease and stroke. The 2023 New Orleans Heart Walk will begin at 9 a.m. on Nov. 18 at the Shrine on Airline, Lot E at 8 a.m. As chair of the 2023 Heart Walk, Theard will lead a team of eight Greater New Orleans exec- utives to recruit companies and organizations in raising $300,000. Through this event, the leader- ship team and supporting organizations will raise funds for the American Heart Association while leading action-oriented conversations about employee health, corporate engagement, com- munity health, and community transformation. The executive committee members include: • Kyle Sharbonno — Gootee Construction. • Natalie Naquin — Cornerstone Chemical Company. • Eric Jones — AT&T. • Rob Folse — Design the Planet. • Cliff Worley — Robinson Lumber Company. • Katie Baumer — Gallo Mechanical. • Lauren Marshall — Woodward Design+Build. • Karl Weber — Atmos Energy. "I am excited to serve as chairman of the 2023 New Orleans Heart Walk and to be involved with such an important mission. Focusing on heart health can be tough in our great city, and the American Heart Association, through the Heart Walk and its other great events, puts heart health at the forefront of our minds,” said Theard. “In addition, as we saw recently with the car- diac event experienced by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, anyone at any time can experi- ence a life-threatening cardiovascular issue. The CPR methods used to save Damar Hamlin's life are integral to lifesaving efforts in many situa- tions. The American Heart Association is at the forefront of ensuring communities throughout the New Orleans area have access to the CPR tools and training needed to continue this lifesaving work," Theard added. The funds raised at the walk support the mis- sion of the American Heart Association to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives while supporting priority issues in Greater New Orleans. For more information about the Heart Walk, or to get your company involved, contact AHANewOrleans@heart.org . ADS, DCHC Promote Elise Bordson-Bozzo to Chief Financial Officer Ascension DePaul Foundation (ADF) and DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) announced the appointment of Elise Bordson- Bozzo, CPA, to chief financial officer. Bordson-Bozzo, who previously served at both entities as controller, will now lead efforts in track- ing cash flow, analyzing finances, overseeing all aspects of financial growth, and more. Bordson-Bozzo has also worked in a previous role as a controller at Magnolia Community Ser- vices, an organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, provides vocational training, and offers a residential program. LDH Launches New 988 Helpline Campaign The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is launching a new marketing campaign aimed at raising awareness, destigmatizing the need for mental health treatment and services, and Elise Bordson-Bozzo, CPA