HJNO Jul/Aug 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JUL / AUG 2024 49 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com working with the LaPQC over the last several years to improve outcomes for mothers and their newborns in the state of Louisiana. One hospital achieved the Birth Ready designa- tion this year for the first time: St. Francis Medical Center (Monroe). All other hospitals listed below were re-accredited as part of the annual review and renewal process. “Birthing hospitals across Louisiana are work- ing hard to ensure the safe and equitable deliv- ery of care to Louisiana families,” said Dr. Veron- ica Gillispie-Bell, medical director of the LaPQC. “Quality improvement teams in birthing hospitals are persevering through the current challenges in healthcare, including staff shortages, to make sure their processes are resilient and consistent in order to see improved outcomes.” The following Louisiana birthing hospitals have achieved Birth Ready Designation: • Christus Ochsner Lake Area Hospital. • Christus Shreveport-Bossier – Highland Medical Center. • Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. • Iberia Medical Center. • Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women. • Lakeside Hospital LCMC Health. • Ochsner American Legion Hospital. • Ochsner LSU Health Monroe. • Slidell Memorial Hospital. • St. Francis Medical Center.* • Terrebonne General Health System. • Thibodaux Regional Health System. • West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. • Willis-Knighton South and the Center for Women’s Health. *indicates a newly designated Birth Ready facility The following Louisiana birthing hospitals have achieved Birth Ready+ Designation: • Baton Rouge General Hospital.** • East Jefferson General Hospital LCMC Health. • Lakeview Hospital LCMC Health. • Lane Regional Medical Center. • North Oaks Health System. • Ochsner Baptist Medical Center. • Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.** • Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge.** • Ochsner Medical Center Kenner.** • Ochsner St. Anne Hospital.** • Ochsner LSU Health St. Mary Medical Center. • Ochsner Medical Center West Bank.** • Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. • Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital.** • St. Tammany Health System.** • Touro Infirmary LCMC Health. • West Jefferson Medical Center LCMC Health.** • Woman’s Hospital. **indicates a facility that enhanced their Birth Ready Designation to Birth Ready+ To achieve designation, birthing hospitals met criteria in five dimensions, including implemen- tation of policies and procedures to improve rec- ognition and response to clinical causes of severe maternal morbidity, promoting patient partner- ship, and addressing health disparities and equity. Birthing hospitals that have achieved Louisiana Birth Ready+ Designation have met a higher threshold of compliance and achievement of the requirements. Louisiana Public Health Association Honors Louisiana Healthcare Connections Physician For his outstanding contributions to pub- lic health in Louisiana, Richard “Dick” Dalton, MD, was awarded the esteemed 2024 Founders Award by the Louisiana Public Health Association (LPHA) at their recent annual meeting awards lun- cheon. As senior medical director for Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Dalton’s dedication to improving mental health, particularly in children and adolescents, has left an indelible mark on the state's healthcare landscape. Dalton has served on various boards and com- mittees, including the New Orleans Area Psychi- atric Association and the Louisiana Psychiatric Medical Association. Matthew Picard Joins ADS, DCHC as VP of Mission Integration Ascension DePaul Services (ADS) and DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) announce the appointment of Matthew Picard as the vice president of mission integration. Picard graduated from the University of Holy Cross - New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in theology and went on to earn a Master of Sci- ence in management. In his role as vice president of mission integra- tion, Picard will foster a cohesive community, pro- vide leadership in orientation and formation, pro- mote spirituality among associates, advocate for diversity and inclusion, and contribute to hiring decisions. "As vice president of mission integration, I am honored and deeply committed to actualizing our mission: to foster thriving communities and exemplify the love of Jesus in all we do,” said Matthew. “Grounded in our core values of ser- vice of the poor, reverence, integrity, wisdom, creativity, and dedication, we forge pathways of healing, embodying love and empathy in every endeavor." Bryan Camerlinck Selected President, CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) board of directors has selected Bryan Camerlinck as president and CEO, following Steve Udvarhelyi’s decision to retire after serving in the role for more than eight years. Camerlinck joined BCBSLA in 2016 as chief financial officer (CFO) and was promoted to the role of executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer in 2021, where he had finan- cial and operational responsibility for all lines of business at Blue Cross. He also had strate- gic oversight of the company’s business opera- tions, information technology, data and analyt- ics, sales, marketing and communications, and customer experience divisions. In addition, Cam- erlinck has also served as chairman of the board and president and CEO of Vantage Health Plan, now operating as Primewell Health Services in Arkansas and Mississippi, wholly owned subsid- iaries of BCBSLA. Prior to joining BCBSLA, Camerlinck held pro- gressively responsible roles at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for more than 20 years, including CFO and president and CEO of the company’s subsidiaries. He began his career as an auditor with Ernst and Young, is a certified public accountant (CPA), and holds a degree in ccount- ing and pre-law from Kansas State University.