HJNO May/Jun 2025

56 MAY / JUN 2025  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS Hospital Rounds LCMCHealth to Launch “Beyond Extraordinary” Podcast LCMC Health announced the launch of its pod- cast “Beyond Extraordinary.” The podcast will focus on service lines and innovative treatments. For the first episode, LCMC Health CEO Greg Feirn joined host Kristen Gradney, LCMC Health chief wellness officer and corporate vice president of Total Rewards, to discuss the origins of LCMC Health and how it has grown into an eight-hos- pital system today. This episode also highlights the importance of LCMC’s academic partner- ships with Tulane University and Louisiana State University. There will also be a “focus on how” LCMC Health connects with the community and embraces the unique culture across the Greater New Orleans area. The podcast will be available on platforms such as YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, and new episodes will be released on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Foundation for Terrebonne General Health System Announces Three NewBoard Members for 2025-26 The Foundation for Terrebonne General Health System announced the appointment of three new board members — John Fontenot, Michael Meche, and Tanner Magee — to the Foundation board. John Fontenot is a resident of Houma and has been deeply committed to the Terrebonne and Lafourche community as the founder of Cooper Life Fund (CLF), a nonprofit organization aiding families of children born with serious medical conditions. Fontenot serves as the race direc- tor for The Super Cooper 5K, CLF’s annual run- ning/walking event now celebrating its 19th year, which raises awareness and funds for this impor- tant cause. He is a professional of 35 years to the offshore maritime industry. Tanner Magee is a Houma native. He attended Louisiana State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in psychology, a master's in public administration, a Juris Doctor, and a Bach- elor of Civil Law. Tanner was elected in 2015 and 2020 to serve in the Louisiana House of Repre- sentatives and was elected as speaker pro tem- pore. He is the owner of Landry Magee, LLC, a law firm located in Houma. Tanner also serves on the board for Terrebonne General Health System. Michael Meche is a Houma native who gradu- ated from Nicholls State University with a Bache- lor of Science in nursing. His professional career started in nursing but led him to a career in inter- national safety training, teaching inland and off- shore employees how to mitigate hazards in their daily tasks and instructing them how to handle any medical emergencies that they might face. In 2014, Meche and his business partner started Atlas Marine Services, a shore-based tankerman company that provides services to barge line operators along the entire Gulf Coast. Meche is one of the 12 founders of Roux for a Reason and has served on the board since its inception in 2016. During its nine-year run, Roux has raised over $500,000 which has been donated to Terre- bonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to provide nutritional services and support to can- cer patients in our community. Members of the 2025-2026 Foundation for Ter- rebonne General Health System Executive Board are Paul Labat, board chair; Tiffany Adams, vice chair; Mike Lewis, secretary; Jay Walker, treasurer and executive director. Ochsner St. Anne Included in List of Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals Chartis, a leading healthcare advisory firm, has named Ochsner St. Anne Hospital a Top 100 Crit- ical Access Hospital for 2025. St. Anne Hospital was the only facility in Louisiana included in the list. Located in Raceland, Louisiana, Ochsner St. Anne Hospital provides essential healthcare ser- vices to Lafourche and the surrounding parishes. It meets the designation of a Critical Access Hos- pital, or CAH, as defined by the Centers for Medi- care & Medicaid Services and created by Con- gress in 1997. The CAH designation is designed to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospi- tals and improve access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. The annual Top 100 Critical Access Hospital list is based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance index, which assesses performance of CAH hos- pitals. Top performers are recognized for excel- ling in managing risk, achieving higher quality, securing better outcomes, increasing patient experience, and operating at a lower cost than their peers. Chartis created the annual program to recognize rural hospitals seeking to improve financial and operational performance while con- tinuing to care for the communities they serve. East Jefferson General Hospital Achieves MBSAQIP Accreditation East Jefferson General Hospital announced its official recognition by the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), in partnership with the American Soci- ety for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, as a Com- prehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifi- cations. This accreditation was received in January and will last three years until January 2028, when the hospital will have to be re-accredited. Ochsner Health Named 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner Ochsner Health has been awarded the 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for employee engagement. This award recognizes the most engaged companies in the world and highlights Ochsner’s continued dedication to set- ting a standard of excellence in patient care and the workplace. Ochsner continuously evolves to meet the needs of its workforce, from providing career coaching and tuition assistance through Ochsner Scholars to digital learning tools available in Work- day. Partnerships with universities further expand career pathways, reinforcing Ochsner’s commit- ment to professional growth and lifelong learning. "Our team’s engagement is the backbone of Ochsner Health's mission. By fostering a culture of professional growth and innovation, we ensure that our teammembers know they are supported and equipped to perform at their highest level. This award is a tribute to their hard work and pas- sion, allowing for a positive and fulfilling work environment,” said Tracey Schiro, executive vice president, chief people and culture officer, Och- sner Health. “This achievement also reflects the dedication of our leaders, who actively foster an environment of trust, empowerment, and account- ability. By prioritizing engagement, they ensure