HJNO May/Jun 2024

60 MAY / JUN 2024  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS Hospital Rounds sites in the United States to receive this distinc- tion, and it is a great honor to be included,” said Stephen Bardot, MD, chair, department of urol- ogy and associate medical director, surgical ser- vices, Ochsner Health. Healthcare facilities and surgeons seeking an SRC accreditation undergo an extensive assess- ment and inspection process to ensure the applicant meets SRC’s proven standards and requirements. These requirements include sur- gical volumes, facility equipment, clinical path- ways and standardized operating procedures, an emphasis on patient education and continuous quality assessment. Inspectors educate staff in the accredited departments on best practices to help an organization improve its care and services. “We’re proud to recognize Ochsner Medi- cal Center – New Orleans and Ochsner Baptist for its commitment to advancing and providing quality care for all patients,” said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. “This accreditation signals that these facilities among the best in this specialty and are dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible.” SRC awarded the Surgeon of Excellence accred- itation to five Ochsner Health surgeons as part of the accreditation process. Colin Goudelocke, MD, Leslie Knoepp, MD, Lauraphile Desrosiers, MD, and Joanna Togami, MD earned Surgeon of Excellence accreditation for Continence Care for Women. Michael Maddox, MD, is accredited as a Surgeon of Excellence for Robotic Surgery. Our Lady of the Angels Health Celebrates 10 Years On March 12, Our Lady of the Angels Health cel- ebrated 10 years of commitment to the Washing- ton Parish community with Our Lady of the Angels Health teammembers and key community stake- holders, including Washington Parish President Ryan Seal. A blessing and prayer service was held, followed by a reception. The event was held in the main parking lot of Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in Bogalusa. STHS Honored for Outstanding Patient Experience St. Tammany Health System has received Healthgrades’ Outstanding Patient Experience Award, placing it in the top 10% of U.S. hospitals for patient experience. This 2024 award marks the 16th consecutive year the health system has earned the honor, dating to 2009. “We’re proud to recognize St. Tammany Health System for its commitment to ensuring a best-in- class hospital stay for all patients,” said Brad Bow- man, MD, chief medical officer and head of data sciences at Healthgrades. “St. Tammany Health Systems’ success demonstrates that patient safety and patient satisfaction go hand-in-hand, and we look forward to their continued leadership in these critical areas of patient care.” Ochsner Health Cardiologist ReceivesWomen in STEMAward Ochsner Health cardiologist Salima Qamruddin, MD, MPH, FASE, FACC has been named a 2024 Women in STEM honoree by the American Heart Association and Entergy. This annual award gives recognition to six local female leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and made an impact in the field of science, technol- ogy, engineering, and math across New Orleans. As an honoree, Qamruddin was formally recog- nized at the 2024 Go Red for Women luncheon on March 1. The event, held at the Hilton River- side, celebrated the accomplishments of all six honorees and encouraged continued advance- ments in the field. “I am deeply grateful and humbled to be hon- ored among women striving for excellence in STEM in the City of New Orleans. Women con- tinue to break barriers every day. In the medi- cal field, women are leading and innovating with relentless dedication and knowledge, creating a more inclusive future for aspiring young women to pursue a medical career. I am proud to be a woman and a physician during this time,” said Qamruddin. Qamruddin is the director of echocardiography quality and research, the director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Wellness Clinic at the John Och- sner Heart and Vascular Institute, and a senior lec- turer at the University of Queensland. “This recognition is a testament to Dr. Qamrud- din’s dedication to cardiology research, excep- tional leadership, and unwavering commitment to compassionate patient care. She is inspiring and worthy of this recognition,” said Robert Hart, MD, chief physician executive, Ochsner Health and president, Ochsner Clinic. STHS NewFamily Center Earns Birth Ready + Designation fromLouisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative The New Family Center at St. Tammany Health System’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital has achieved the Birth Ready+ designation from the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative, a pro- gram administered through the state Department of Health. This designation recognizes the health sys- tem’s consistent, thoughtful healthcare and qual- ity improvement work. Additionally, it celebrates improved perinatal health outcomes, the result of implementing safe, equitable, and dignified clini- cal practices to improve outcomes for all people who give birth in Louisiana. Hospitals receiving the Birth Ready Designation do not pay for the honor. Rather, they go through a rigorous application and review process by the LaPQC focusing on five areas of requirement: • Participation in collaborative learning. • Health disparity and patient partnership. • Policies and procedures. • Structures and education. • Outcome and process measures. Since its founding in 1954 as St. Tammany Par- ish Hospital, more than 60,000 babies have been born at St. Tammany Health System. In January, Women’s Choice ranked the hospi- tal as among the top 1% in America for obstet- rics, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana recognized it as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care. Gregory Nielsen Named Chief Executive Officer of East Jefferson General Hospital LCMC Health announced that Gregory A. Nielsen, MHA, FACHE, has been named chief executive officer of East Jefferson General Hos- pital (EJGH). Nielsen assumed responsibility as interim CEO of EJGH in early 2023 and was appointed permanent CEO of the hospital this month. The announcement comes on the heels of EJGH