Shreveport, La. – Three LSU Health Shreveport second year medical students have been chosen to participate in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Research Scholar Program: Reagan Abadie, Nicholas Jones and Tyler Tran. The NIH All of Us Research Scholars program aims to address the critical need to reduce disparities in healthcare and the biomedical workforce by supporting young researchers. During the eight months of the program, in addition to continuing as full-time medical students, our students are conducting a research project, receiving skills training, and connecting with a mentor for professional development.

Abadie, Jones and Tran have each designed and begun conducting a research project of their choosing utilizing the diverse dataset from the All of Us Research Hub, a dataset with over 556,000 participants, 338,000 electronic health records and 410,000 biosamples available to researchers. At the conclusion of the program, they will display a poster presentation of their findings at the annual All of Us Researchers Convention, which is being held in New Orleans in the Spring of 2023.

Reagan Abadie
“My research project is currently focused on the prevalence of female infertility due to obesity in the United States region. Through this program, I will gain experience with research methods and techniques that will help me grow as a researcher, with the guidance of a mentor.”

Nicholas Jones
“My research project is on the correlation of an individual’s sexual orientation and the risk of cardiovascular disease. We met with our mentors the first week of the program and have been working closely with them to design suitable research to present. I’m thankful the program has given me the opportunity to network and focus on designing my own research question.”

Tyler Tran
“My research topic is ‘The association of increased plasma HDL cholesterol and risk of myocardial infarction in minority populations.’ The number one factor that distinguishes this program from other research programs is the ability to work at our own pace. Thanks to this I’ve been able to develop a research topic emphasizing my interests in medicine all while maintaining strong academics.”

Dr. Andrew L. Chesson, Jr. a nationally recognized expert in sleep medicine, who served at LSU Health Shreveport for more than 35 years, was recently honored for his immense contributions through the establishment of the Dr. Andrew Chesson, Jr. Neurology Resident/Fellow Educational Conference Room in the School of Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport and in the naming of the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Sleep Medicine Center in his name.  

Dr. Chesson rose through the ranks at LSUHS holding multiple leadership positions to include Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (15 years), the first Dean of the LSUHS School of Medicine (2 years) and acting Chancellor for one year. In 1981, Dr. Chesson, a Professor of Neurology, founded the Sleep Disorder Center as the first, and now longest continuously certified sleep disorder center in Louisiana, which served as a model for other centers nationwide. He was also instrumental in establishing national standards of practice and fellowship training for the discipline of sleep medicine, leading to LSU Health Shreveport receiving ACGME accreditation in 2007 for a sleep medicine residency with two positions for Sleep Medicine fellows, the only two sleep medicine positions for available for academic training in Louisiana.

LSU Health Shreveport is now enrolling participants in a Phase 3 clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of standard flu vaccine to an investigational mRNA flu vaccine. Led by Dr. John Vanchiere, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Clinical Trials Office, enrollment in the study will continue until mid-December.

Better influenza vaccines are a public health priority, as currently available flu vaccines only confer 40% to 60% protection, and the protection doesn’t carry over from year to year. The flexibility of mRNA technology and its rapid manufacturing could potentially allow better strain matches in future years reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths resulting from the flu.

Influenza annually causes 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations, 12,000 to 52,000 deaths and about $25 billion in economic loss in the U.S. The impact of flu on racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. is even larger. Black Americans are 1.8 times more likely than their white counterparts to be hospitalized for flu while Latino and Indigenous Americans are 1.2 and 1.3 times more likely, respectively.

Clinical Trial Information:

• Participation is open for individuals who are in good health and who have not received an influenza vaccine within the past six months.
• The study will compare the mRNA flu vaccine to standard-dose flu vaccine. 
• All subjects will receive flu vaccine to protect against 4 strains of flu.
• The study will require 1 to 3 in-person visits to the study site over a six-month period, as well as weekly reporting of symptoms using your mobile phone or a similar device provided by the study.
• Participants who develop flu-like symptoms will be asked to swab their own noses to test for influenza.
• Participants who are 18-64 years old may have blood collected 2-3 times during the study. 
• Participants that are 65 years old and older will not be required to give blood samples for the study.
• Participants will be reimbursed $119 per in-person visit to cover travel costs.

More information about this study and enrollment can be found at www.Fluvaccinestudy.com and at www.clinicaltrials.gov for study #NCT05540522. 

Shreveport, La. – The 2022 LSU Health Shreveport Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Educational Conference is being held November 4-6 at the LSUHS campus with over 65 students representing 12 universities. The conference is hosted by LSUHS Office for Diversity Affairs with support from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Beginning in 2019 as a 2-day event with 5 schools represented, the annual conference has grown not only in length but reach as the partnership with AAMC and LDH is allowing students from out-of-state HBCUs to attend.

“We are over the moon to be expanding the reach of our annual HBCU Conference beyond Louisiana for the first time thanks to financial support from the AAMC and LDH.  This expanded engagement supports the goal of the Office of Diversity Affairs at LSU Health Shreveport in helping as many underserved students as possible achieve their goal of a career in medicine and science,” stated Toni Thibeaux, EdD, MPH, CLS, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Diversity Affairs. 

The three-day conference will provide an opportunity for prospective students to engage with representatives of AAMC, LDH, LSUHS faculty and students and learn more about the pathway to become a medical doctor, allied health professional or researcher. Participants will tour campus facilities such as the clinical skills, surgical skills, and anatomy/cadaver labs, and this year attendees will get a sneak peek look at the Center for Medical Education and Emerging Viral Threats scheduled to open in late summer of 2023.

The LSUHS HBCU Educational Conference will not only allow participants to hear presentations from LSUHS faculty and students on topics such as what it takes to be ready to apply for medical school and to have a successful application, scholarship opportunities, research internship opportunities, allied health careers, and more, but will layer these discussions with a diversity and adversity lens. Attendees will also engage in student-panel discussions that address challenges Black men face when applying for medical school, adapting to the medical school curriculum, and information about the MATCH process and residency.

________________

Media are invited to attend the HBCU Educational Conference Tour Session on Friday, November 4. Interviews will be available with participants and LSUHS Office for Diversity Affairs faculty.

WHEN:          Friday, November 4 from 10:30-12:00
WHERE:        LSU Health Shreveport (1501 Kings Hwy)
Parking available in the Chancellor’s parking area. Map and directions are attached.

Media planning to attend should notify Shelby McCarty or Lisa Babin.

The Medical Student Research Program (MSRP) at the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine, sponsored by the Dean's Office, had its largest number of participants in 2022 with over one-third of the first-year class participating. Fifty-three students will be showcasing their summer research findings at a competitive poster presentation on October 26 between 1 & 4 pm in the BRI Atrium.

Each student worked directly with a faculty mentor for at least 10-12 hours a week for five weeks during the summer leading to the annual fall poster presentation fair. In addition to being able to share their work, students compete to receive an award in either basic science or clinical research. Over 30 judges will participate in evaluating the projects.

The Medical Student Research Program fosters research activity, inspires students to learn more about the research process, and generates quality research evidence. In addition, MSRP contributes to the building of highly competitive resumes for the MATCH process which occurs during the students’ fourth year of medical school.

“Discovery and innovation are the keys to discovering solutions to today and tomorrow’s medical problems. By introducing students to clinical or basic science research in the summer between their first and second year of medical school, we hope to produce future physicians who will incorporate meaningful research in their future careers and discover the answers to current and future medical mysteries. The Medical Student Research Program provides a positive research experience for the students and highlights their hard work and dedication. I am extremely proud of this year’s program, and what the students and their mentors have accomplished. This year’s competition is the largest in its history, which points to increased student engagement and enthusiasm in research. I am certain that this group of future doctors will make amazing discoveries in their careers,” stated Peter Seidenberg, MD, Interim Director of Student Research.

Shreveport, La. – The LSU Health Shreveport Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery led by Chair Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan has received notification of manuscript CCR-21-4290R1 being selected for publication in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Clinical Cancer Research publishes articles that focus on innovative clinical and translational research bridging the laboratory and the clinic. Topics include targeted therapies; mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance; pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics; personalized medicine; immunotherapy; gene therapy; diagnostic biomarkers; innovative imaging, and clinical genetics.

The publication “A Randomized Multi-Institutional Phase II Trial of Everolimus as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck” is the result of an investigator-initiated trial at LSU Health Shreveport in conjunction with University of Chicago.

Advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients are at a high risk of recurrent disease. Due to dismal 5-year survival rates, such patients are in dire need of effective adjuvant therapy. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, has documented activity in HNSCC and is well tolerated with minimal long-term toxicity. This placebo-controlled phase II trial is the first to show promising results using Everolimus as adjuvant therapy after response to definitive treatment in a subset of HPV-negative patients with advanced stage disease. HPV-negative TP53 mutated tumors appear to yield the best benefit. The molecular studies were supported by an NCI grant awarded to Dr. Nathan. Thus, subsequent trials using Everolimus in this patient population have proven to be warranted.

“It is exciting to see such promising results for a subset of our head and neck cancer patients and for the investigation to have moved from the bench to the bedside at LSU Health Shreveport. HPV negative, p53 mutated advanced stage head and neck cancer patients are in need of additional therapy to improve survival.” stated Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, Chair of Otolaryngology at LSU Health Shreveport.

Everolimus is a targeted cancer drug that blocks cancer growth and is also known by its brand name Afinitor.

This multi-institutional investigation includes but is not limited to Feist-Weiller Cancer Center in Shreveport and University of Chicago but also other institutions namely Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Illinois Cancer Center, and Yale University School of Medicine.

Shreveport, La. – Heart Health Day will return for its second annual health fair on Saturday, October 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Mary Medical Center, 911 Margaret Place, Shreveport, La. The event is led by the LSU Health Shreveport Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences (CCDS) and hosted at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport.

Heart Health Day serves the Shreveport-Bossier community by encouraging individuals to improve their overall cardiovascular health. The family-friendly event helps participants understand healthier lifestyle habits through educational videos and activities about heart health, and engagement with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport healthcare professionals.

Heart Health Day will provide free health screenings and childcare for participants. Screening include EKG, cholesterol, glucose, BMI, ABI and blood pressure. Additional screenings such as echocardiography, peripheral vascular health and genetic screenings may occur depending on results from preliminary screenings. Other event highlights for the community are group exercise classes, physician consultations, nutrition guidance, children’s activities, American Heart Association Hands-Only CPR training, free lunches, and door prizes. 

Shreveport – The LSU Health Sciences Foundation returned with its annual fundraising gala, An Evening for Healers, on Thursday, September 22. For 11 years, the event has served as a platform to honor and celebrate the Shreveport-Bossier community's first responders, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and other healthcare providers who each played a vital role in saving the lives of patients at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport (OLHS), North Louisiana's only Level 1 Trauma Center, while raising mission-critical funding for LSU Health Shreveport.

Since the event’s inception, 24 moving patient stories have been shared, more than 800 dedicated first-responders and healthcare heroes have been honored, and more than $3 million has been raised for LSU Health Shreveport. This year the LSUHS Foundation celebrated record-breaking fundraising with more than $500,000 raised in a single year from more than 100 sponsors. Funds raised through An Evening for Healers help LSU Health Shreveport recruit and retain top faculty, acquire cutting-edge technology and equipment, and support programs for students at all three LSUHS schools - the School of Medicine, the School of Allied Health Professions, and the School of Graduate Studies.

More than 800 guests attended the event and were the first to see the CRM Studios produced documentaries retelling the inspiring stories of patients whose lives were saved thanks to their team of healers. This year’s featured patients were David Bates, a beloved local chef who suffered a stroke and had an incredible road to recovery thanks to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at OLHS; and Jamie Martin, the first COVID-19-positive mother to successfully deliver her baby while on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), who was transported from Lafayette to OLHS via Life Air Rescue to save both her life and her unborn son’s.

More than 70 physicians, nurses, first-responders, and allied health professionals were recognized during the event. Patients were given the opportunity to thank their team of healers for saving their lives for the first time collectively.

Ochsner Health was the presenting sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Ochsner Health and LSU Health Shreveport began a partnership in October of 2018 with the goal of delivering exemplary patient care throughout the north Louisiana region. Dr. Leo Seoane, Interim CEO of Ochsner LSU Health System in North Louisiana said, “Combining the resources and expertise of LSU Health Shreveport, Ochsner Health and our Ochsner LSU Health team together has exceeded all expectations. Even when faced with a once-in-a-lifetime ice storm, pandemic and the financial and social crises accompanying it, the resilience of this team is extraordinary.”

Kevin Flood, President and CEO of the LSU Health Sciences Foundation said, “We are grateful for Ochsner Health’s continued philanthropic support of An Evening for Healers. We deeply appreciate every sponsor who supported this event. This evening shows just how much our community acknowledges irreplaceable value of LSU Health Shreveport.

This year’s honored guest speaker was Kim Mulkey, head coach for LSU Women's basketball and a Louisiana native.

To view the patient documentaries, please visit www.lsuhsfoundation.org/healers.

Ready-Set is a series of college readiness initiatives designed by the LSU Health Shreveport Office for Diversity Affairs. As a part of Ready-Set, this six-week ACT Prep tutorial will focus on coaching participants on utilizing specific test-taking strategies to prepare for the exam adequately. The content and course matter will change weekly to include all subjects assessed on the ACT.

The ACT Prep tutorial will assist local high school students enrolled in Caddo Parish schools. Interested students must meet the following to participate:

• Minimum 3.3 GPA
• 15 or higher on the Pre-ACT Test offered at student’s high school
• Students should be underrepresented in medicine, research, and allied health professions

The program dates are October 8 through November 19, 2022. Participants meet each Saturday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the LSU Health Shreveport Library. The deadline to apply is Thursday, September 15. Applications can be found at: https://bit.ly/oda-readyset.

Shreveport - LSU Health Shreveport has received a $25,000 gift from Joan George Kane, sister of the late Dr. Ronald B. “Ronnie” George, to create the Ronald B. George, MD Memorial Endowed CHEST Award. The gift honors Dr. George’s legacy of dedication to the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) and the students, residents, and pulmonary fellows he trained as founder and chief of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at LSU Health Shreveport.

Dr. George was a beloved professor at the LSUHS School of Medicine and a nationally renowned pulmonologist known for diagnosing complex lung disease cases. He was appointed Chairman of the Department of Medicine in 1992 until his retirement in 2000, and served as Emeritus Chairman of the department until his passing in July 2021.

The award will be bestowed each year to a current LSU Health Shreveport fellow who has exhibited excellence in patient care, research, and service to the Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Division. The award will fund the fellow’s attendance at the annual CHEST conference.

Dr. George was a firm believer in the benefits of attending the annual CHEST conference. In 1993, he was elected president of CHEST. In 2001, he was selected as a Master Fellow of CHEST, an elite honor that has only been given to forty CHEST physicians in the past 42 years.

“I am deeply grateful for this gift honoring Dr. George and his lasting legacy at LSU Health Shreveport and the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care,” said Dr. Robert Walter, Division Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. “Dr. George was a dedicated physician and mentor to many in the pulmonology field. Through this endowment, newly trained pulmonologists will be able to expand their knowledge and learn from other experts in this field. It is an honor to present this award and support the next generation.”

Dr. George’s family, friends, and colleagues hope to inspire others who worked alongside or trained under him to support the endowment so it can benefit pulmonology fellows for years to come.

Gifts in Dr. George’s honor can be made at lsuhsfoundation.org/georgechestendowment.

Shreveport, LA – Louisiana State University Health Shreveport School of Medicine and LSU Shreveport will sign an MOU today guaranteeing LSU Shreveport students receive an admissions interview with the LSUHS School of Medicine.

The Guaranteed Interview Program outlined in the MOU ensures LSUS students who meet specified criteria will be invited to interview with the Admissions Committee of the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. Requirements include a 3.5 GPA, a score of 504 on the MCAT, good disciplinary standing at LSUS and participation in events or projects hosted by the LSUS Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement.

“Our new MOU with the LSUHS School of Medicine creates an important new pathway opportunity for our best and brightest students in their pursuit of an advanced degree in medical science,” said LSUS Chancellor Larry Clark. “We expect that a great number of our LSUS students who will become medical doctors will choose to remain here in this region to provide greater health care across all communities. We look forward to even more collaborative initiatives with LSUHS that will benefit our students, faculty, research and/or our region.”

“We are pleased to enter into this MOU with our fellow LSU institution which produces so many outstanding students. With LSU Health Shreveport’s strong track record of graduates practicing in the community and throughout Louisiana, I am confident this collaboration will prove beneficial to LSUS students, LSU Health Shreveport, and the entire state of Louisiana,” stated David Lewis, MD, MBA, Dean of the LSUHS School of Medicine and Interim Chancellor.    

“I am excited about today’s MOU which signifies our desire to attract more North Louisiana students to the LSUHS School of Medicine. For the high-achieving student who aspires to become a physician, we want to send a loud and clear message that we are interested in you and your success in applying to, matriculating, and earning your medical degree in Shreveport,” shared Wanda Thomas MD, Associate Dean for Admissions, LSUHS School of Medicine.

For further details, please email Erin Smith, Interim Director of Media and Public Relations for Louisiana State University Shreveport or call 318-674-0315 (cell).

Shreveport, La. – The Louisiana Board of Regents has supported full five-year approval for the Louisiana Addiction Research Center (LARC) and Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT), with the CEVT continuing to be a designated Center of Research Excellence. The Board of Regents approval follows unanimous approval of both centers by the LSU Board of Supervisors earlier this year. Both centers were previously granted provisional approval and applied for full center approval earlier this year.

The mission of Louisiana Addiction Research Center is to provide addiction research and education in an integrated environment pursuing the latest in innovative approaches and learning. Nicholas Goeders, PhD, serves as the Executive Director of LARC.

The mission of the Center for Emerging Viral Threats is to engage in multidisciplinary, basic, and translational research on infectious agents, provide surveillance and detection for current and future viral threats, provide cutting edge diagnostics and access to national clinical trials, and educate physicians, scientists and the community about prevention, treatment and the science of viral diseases. Andrew Yurochko, PhD, serves as the Executive Director of the CEVT.

“We are humbled by this vote of confidence by the Louisiana Board of Regents and the LSU Board of Supervisors in the work being done the Louisiana Addiction Research Center and the Center for Emerging Viral Threats. I commend Dr. Goeders and Dr. Yurochko and the faculty and staff of both centers who have worked incredibly hard to achieve these designations,” said Chris Kevil, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research at LSU Health Shreveport. “Both the LARC and CEVT are dedicated to fulfilling their missions and working to improve health outcomes for Louisiana citizens. This recognition also strengthens our position to compete for grant funding and further advance research in our region and state.” 

“This is a great honor for our institution for the Louisiana Addiction Research Center to be recognized as a fully authorized center and for the Center for Emerging Viral Threats to continue to be recognized as a designated Center of Research Excellence. I am thankful for the support and recognition by the Louisiana Board of Regents and LSU Board of Supervisors of the meaningful work performed by these centers. Their efforts deliver multidisciplinary, basic, and translational research, as well as community outreach and engagement. Their role in in the response to the COVID-19 and addiction pandemics have been stellar,” shared David Lewis, MD, MBA, Interim Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport. “The faculty and staff of the LARC and CEVT are and will continue to be invaluable resources for our community, state and beyond.”

A select number of academic programs earn the designation as a Center of Excellence by the Louisiana Board of Regents and must demonstrate statewide leadership in their area of focus and a commitment to building on their respective strengths by advancing knowledge and skills to create better opportunities for improving the quality of life of Louisiana residents. The designation as a Center of Excellence is rigorous process and requires proof of the center’s qualifications for the distinction. Qualifications include being a statewide leader in the area of designation, provision of a range of academic, training of research opportunities, a focus on current issues and the ability to advance the strategic goals of the institution and the State of Louisiana.

LSU Health Shreveport is home to four designated Centers of Research Excellence: Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, the Center of Excellence for Arthritis and Rheumatology, and the Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats.

To learn more about the Louisiana Addiction Research Center, visit www.lsuhs.edu/larc. To learn more about the Center for Emerging Viral Threats, visit www.lsuhs.edu/cevt. 

LSU Health Shreveport is proud to be one of the selected recipients of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award given by INSIGHT to Diversity magazine. Each year, INSIGHT Into Diversity recognizes colleges, universities and organizations devoted to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM through cutting-edge programs, events and initiatives.

LSU Health Shreveport’s Office of Diversity Affairs has implemented a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) initiative to address the lack of African American physicians in the U.S. workforce. The initiative uses a team-building model to strengthen relationships with pre-med and STEM advisers at HBCUs and features a host of pipeline research programs aimed at increasing representation. Other offerings include American Medical College Application Service workshops to assist hopeful students with developing competitive medical school applications. In addition, the office hosts an annual educational conference for Black and Latinx students enrolled at HBCUs in Louisiana. This year’s conference will be held November 4-6.

“I am excited to be part of an academic center that recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in healthcare. Since 2019, LSU Health Shreveport has utilized a collective leadership approach to positively impact recruitment and retention strategies. We are honored by this award indicating recognition of our efforts to recruit underserved minority students. We remain focused on bolstering our admission outcomes through our HBCU initiatives which have gained national attention among prospective medical students,” shared Toni Thibeaux, EdD, MPH, CIS, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity Affairs.

STEM careers, or careers in science, technology, engineering and math are projected to grow more than twice as fast as other occupations by 2029 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With demands in these fields on the rise, there is also an increasing need to ensure that diverse students have access to academic, financial, and social resources and support needed to pursue successful careers in these industries.

INSIGHT into Diversity is the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education and has operated for nearly 50 years.

SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS SUMMER GRADUATION
WHEN:            Saturday, August 13 at 10 a.m.
WHERE:         Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo St., Downtown Shreveport

Shreveport, La. – This Saturday, August 13, 2022, 65 LSU Health Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions students will graduate from their respective programs with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science – 5 graduates
• Master of Communication Disorders – 2 graduates
• Master of Public Health – 1 graduate
• Master of Occupational Therapy – 23 graduates
• Master of Physician Assistant – 34 graduates

The School of Allied Health Professions is comprised of eight academic programs, three post-professional residency programs for physical therapists who hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and three specialized clinics. “It is an honor to lead the dedicated faculty, staff, and students in the School of Allied Health Professions. I applaud the resilience and dedication required of each of them to meet their academic and professional goals during these unprecedented times. These graduates will have an immediate impact on the health of Louisiana citizens and the well-being of our society, across the continuum of care. I also want to thank Interim Chancellor Lewis for his leadership and unwavering and ongoing support of these academic programs”, stated Sharon Dunn, P.T., Ph.D., Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions.

LSU Board of Supervisors member, Wayne Brown, will confer the degrees for the 65 students, who will bring the total School of Allied Health alumni to 3,948 graduates since the school opened in 1977.

This year’s commencement speaker is, Daytheon Sturges, PhD, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, CHES who is a Haynesville, Louisiana native and LSUHS Alumni. Daytheon Sturges is a graduate of the LSUHS BS in Physician Assistant and Master of PA Studies programs. He holds the distinction as being the first African American alumni to give the commencement address. He currently practices family medicine at the University of Washington Primary Care – Northgate in Seattle, Washington. He is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine; Associate Program Director for Regional Affairs, Justice, Equity, and Inclusion (JEDI); and Interim Associate Program Director of Academic Affairs at MEDEX Northwest PA Program.

Allied health professions are involved with the delivery of health services pertaining to the identification and prevention of diseases and disorders, rehabilitation, and more. To name a few, allied health professionals include medical laboratory scientists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, public health professionals, speech language pathologists, and many others. Currently, these professions make up approximately 60 percent of health care occupations.

Health care remains a key sector that will drive the economy in our community now and in the future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health care occupations is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, adding about 2.6 million new jobs.

Shreveport, La. – Serious mental illness is a growing problem in Northwest Louisiana. With a prevalence that was already population disproportionate prior to COVID19, the global adversity of 2020 has only served to further expand and escalate the level of emotional distress for countless individuals in this community. From 2019 to 2021, the Part 1 violent crimes of homicide, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault increased each year for the period January to May within the City of Shreveport These outcomes are indicators of increased distress and deteriorating wellbeing in our city.

Many calls for emergency assistance involve mentally ill persons in the community. Conservative estimates are that more than 50 percent of all 911 calls received by law enforcement include symptomatic displays of mental illness or mental health disorders. With an average of 900 calls monthly, it is possible that more than 5,000 calls for law enforcement service annually are triggered in response to a mental health crisis.

In June 2021, LSU Health Shreveport and the Shreveport Police Department were awarded a Training and Technical Assistance Grant from the U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to participate in the Academic Training to Inform Police Responses. A portion of this training, led by Policy Research Associates, was the Sequential Intercept Mapping workshop on May 16 and 17 which resulted in the development of an action plan to improve the crisis response system in Shreveport.

The action plan, which was developed by numerous local stakeholders, provides a treatment-oriented response to mentally ill persons. Improving crisis response will reduce demands on our overburdened law enforcement and public health systems, while increasing both public and officer safety.

A press conference will be held Monday, August 15 at 2pm in the Mayor’s Conference Room at Government Plaza located at 505 Travis Street to share next steps in improving our local 911 Crisis Response system.

Speakers include Mayor Adrian Perkins, Dr. James Patterson, Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, and LSU Health Shreveport Interim Chancellor Dr. David Lewis.  

New Orleans, LA – Starting in January 2023, LSU Health New Orleans’ School of Nursing will educate students in three accelerated nursing programs in North Louisiana at its newly approved Off-Campus Instructional Site located on the LSU Health Shreveport campus. Courses will be delivered through a combination of in-person instruction and synchronous distance education, where students in Shreveport will virtually join classes going on at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing. LSU Shreveport and LSU Health Shreveport faculty will also teach some basic science courses.

“We are pleased to lead an LSU systemwide effort to quickly fill an urgent need for highly qualified nurses in North Louisiana,” notes Dr. Steve Nelson, Interim Chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans. “Working with LSU Health Shreveport and LSU Shreveport, our accelerated nursing degree programs will address this critical situation.”

Applications are now open for the Career Alternative RN Education (CARE) Program, a two-year program designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field and would like to become a nurse. Students will graduate from LSU Health New Orleans with a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.

“The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Off-Campus Instructional Site provides us with the opportunity to academically prepare nurse educators in North Louisiana and provide a career path for individuals with a previous baccalaureate degree to enter into the nursing profession,” says Demetrius Porche, DNS, PhD, PCC, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, Dean and Professor LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing. “By preparing nursing faculty and educating more BSN nurses, we would like to impact the nursing shortage challenges in North Louisiana positively.”

Students may also enroll in the RN to BSN Degree Program, a one-year program of study specifically for the RN with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. The RN to BSN degree program provides a broad liberal and professional education that builds upon the competencies and knowledge achieved in previous nursing education and practice. Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree from LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing. Application information is available here.

LSU Health New Orleans will also offer a master’s degree with a Nurse Educator concentration. The Nurse Educator concentration is an intensive Master of Science in Nursing degree designed for completion in one year. The curriculum is built on theory and skills acquired in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. The purpose is to prepare nurses to become nurse educators and accomplish their career goals in academic, practice and service settings. Students will graduate from LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing with a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Application information is available here.

“We are thrilled to partner with the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, with their stellar reputation and track record, to offer these programs for students in North Louisiana seeking nursing and advanced nursing degrees,” stated Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, Dean of the LSUHS School of Allied Health Professions. “With the current and anticipated nursing shortage, our added capacity for training nurses and nurse educators will allow us to be part of the solution for our community’s urgent and long-term needs.”

Even before the pandemic, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected nearly 200,000 openings for registered nurses annually from 2020-2030. The shortage has only grown during the pandemic. Last year, the American Nurses Association sent a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services to declare the nurse staffing shortage a national crisis.

“Registered nurses are in dire need in Louisiana to provide health care,” notes Linda Ledet, DNS, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Off-Campus Instructional Site Program Director. “One solution to this problem is to provide education to qualified students who desire nursing as a career. The Bachelor of Sciences (BSN) CARE nursing concentration will admit 20 students in the spring and fall semesters. We hope to grow our admission numbers in the second year. Second-degree nursing students are typically highly motivated and have higher academic expectations than most traditional entry-level nursing students. These accelerated students excel in class and are eager for clinical experiences. Faculty find them excellent learners who are unafraid to ask questions and engage in discussions.”

Hospital leaders in North Louisiana recently reported that they are experiencing a worsening shortage of nurses.

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is ranked the #10 nursing school in the US and the #5 nursing school among American public nursing schools.

CONTACT:
LESLIE CAPO, LSU HEALTH NEW ORLEANS
504-568-4806; CELL 504-452-9166

LISA BABIN, LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT
318-675-8769; CELL 318-458-0166

LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's flagship health sciences university, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research in a number of areas in a worldwide arena, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment, or cure disease. To learn more, visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu, http://www.twitter.com/LSUHealthNO, or http://www.facebook.com/LSUHSC.                                                   

ABOUT LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT
LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) is one of two Health Sciences Centers of the Louisiana State University System and one of only 154 in the nation. LSU Health Shreveport is home to the School of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies and School of Allied Health Professions, and a robust research enterprise, which has made a significant impact on the COVID-19 response in Louisiana, region and nation. Almost 900 students are enrolled in the degree programs at any one time. Additionally, over 600 residents and fellows are trained each year. The primary mission of the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport is to teach, heal, and discover, in order to advance the well-being of the region and beyond. At the heart of the LSU Health Shreveport is a strong faculty that includes a number of nationally and internationally acclaimed physicians and scientists. More than 600 strong, they lead our research efforts, educate our students and provide primary and specialty care to patients throughout the region. LSU Health Shreveport has strong community support, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion that promotes mutual respect for all. For more information, visit www.lsuhs.edu.

Shreveport, La. – High school and college students participating in summer research programs at LSU Health Shreveport are concluding their summer long projects this week. LSU Health Shreveport has been providing summer research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students for more than 20 years. More than 50 students participated in programs at LSUHS this summer hosted by the Office of Diversity Affairs, the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Neuroscience. Students will share the research findings that they have compiled over the past eight weeks at poster sessions attended by fellow summer program participants and LSUHS faculty, staff and students.

LSUHS also hosted the second annual Summer Student Leadership Program (SSLP) allowing college students to gain real world experience in numerous departments at LSU Health Shreveport over eight weeks. Program participants received compensation and were required to commit thirty-six (36) hours per week and to complete projects assigned by their respective department. Projects had measurable goals and benchmarks along with career development sessions. Participants were presented with a certificate of completion and a luncheon in their honor on July 27.

OVERVIEW OF SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAMS:

CURIOUS (Cardiovascular Undergraduate Research Initiative fOr Underrepresented Students) is a NIH (National Institute of Health)-funded summer research program for underrepresented minority undergraduate students interested in pursuing research as part of their scientific or clinical career goals The highly competitive NIH R25 Research Education Program grant that supports the CURIOUS program was received by LSU Health Shreveport for the first time in 2019. Ten outstanding students were selected from across the United States to spend the summer in Shreveport and participate in the 8-week intensive cardiovascular research program on LSUHS’ campus. Each student is assigned a mentor and participates in weekly enrichment activities in addition to conducting research and preparing a project to present at the conclusion of the program. Top students will be invited back for a second year to continue their research and participate in more advanced enrichment activities.

The Jumpstart Summer Enrichment Program (JSEP) and the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (UGRAP) are summer enrichment programs led by the Office of Diversity Affairs at LSU Health Shreveport. JSEP is a program for Caddo and Bossier Parish high school students. During this 8-week summer program, students are assigned a LSUHS faculty mentor and spend 40 hours a week in laboratories and clinics performing hands-on research projects designed to support their interest in science and prepare them to pursue a healthcare career. UGRAP is an 8-week research apprenticeship program designed for undergraduate college students who have an interest in pursuing a career in Biomedical Research, Medicine or Allied Health Professions. Students have a LSUHS faculty member as a mentor for the summer and work alongside scientists, doctors and laboratory personnel in research labs. At the end of their 8-week programs, JSEP and UGRAP students present the findings of their summer research projects at a poster session that demonstrates the skills they learned in scientific writing and data analysis.

 The Summer Undergraduate Pharmacology Experience in Research (SUPER) is a summer internship program in the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, & Neuroscience that provides career opportunities pharmacology, toxicology, carcinogenesis, chemoprevention, neuropharmacology, and neuroscience graduate research. For the past eight weeks, four college students have interned in a research laboratory at LSU Health Shreveport. Each student works on their own research project and is mentored by participating LSUHS faculty members. At the end of the summer internship, students present their research findings in a departmental poster session.

Media are invited to attend poster sessions taking place Friday, July 29 at LSU Health Shreveport. Interviews will be available with students who participated in summer research programs and their LSUHS faculty mentors.

WHEN:  FRIDAY, JULY 29

• 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (UGRAP) Poster Session
• 2:00 – 4:00 PM: SUPER (Summer Undergraduate Pharmacology Experience in Research) Poster Session

WHERE:  LSU Health Shreveport (1501 Kings Hwy.)
BRI Atrium and Zadeck Conference Center
Parking available in the Chancellor’s parking area. See map and directions attached.

Media planning to attend should notify Shelby McCarty or Megan Strecker.

CONTACTS:
Shelby McCarty, PR Coordinator
Office:  318-675-8789 / Cell: 318-787-8321

Megan Strecker, Research Communications Project Coordinator
Office: 318-675-4166 / Cell: 770-595-3052           

Shreveport, LA (July 25, 2022)- The Center for Brain Health (CBH) at LSU Health Shreveport has received a $100,000 gift to create the Noel Foundation, Inc. Endowed Professorship Honoring Dr. Robert C. Leitz, III in Parkinson’s Disease Research. The gift represents the first endowed funding in support of the Center for Brain Health. It will expand the study of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia and fund neurological training equipment for graduate and medical students studying at LSU Health Shreveport. One goal of the research is to determine how to make care available to the estimated 55,000 citizens in North Louisiana living with Parkinson’s disease.

The CBH was established to increase neuroscience-related education, improve and expand care for patients with brain disorders, and attract young specialists and pioneering clinical trials to North Louisiana. Through the endowment, the CBH will expand its team of researchers and clinician scientists with expertise in Parkinson’s disorder and increase competitiveness for federal research grants.

The endowed professorship honors the Noel Foundation’s former president, Dr. Robert C. Leitz III, who has courageously battled Parkinson’s disease for many years. Dr. Leitz is a Professor Emeritus of English at Louisiana State University in Shreveport and served the Noel Foundation for over 20 years. “The Noel Foundation is pleased to establish the first endowment at the Center for Brain Health and proud to honor Dr. Leitz,” said Merritt B. Chastain Jr., President of the Noel Foundation. “We hope that through this gift, others will also give to support Parkinson’s disease research at LSU Health Shreveport to help the many victims of the disease.”

The Noel Foundation has long supported LSU Health Shreveport, giving to many initiatives, including medical student scholarships, the Center for Medical Education, and educational opportunities at the School of Allied Health Professions.

The Noel Foundation’s endowment has been awarded to Elizabeth Disbrow, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Center for Brain Health. Dr. Disbrow has been at LSU Health Shreveport for nine years and, in that time, has led the effort to establish the CBH and “The Bridge,” a community resource for patients and families struggling with dementia. Her work in Parkinson’s disease helped identify cognitive deficits in motor planning and cognitive flexibility as major contributors to the symptoms of the disease, over and above the traditional definition of Parkinson’s as a motor disorder.   

“This generous endowment honoring Dr. Leitz and the Parkinson’s disease community is so inspiring. I want to thank the Noel Foundation for their support. We will continue to work to improve the lives of people fighting this disease until we find a cure,” said Dr. Disbrow.

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CONTACTS:
Name:  Lisa S. Babin
Title:  Executive Director of Communication and Public Affairs 
Phone: 318-675-8769
Email: lisa.babin@lsuhs.edu

Name: Shelby McCarty
Title:  PR Coordinator 
Phone: 318-675-8789
Email: Shelby.mccarty@lsuhs.edu

As LSU Health Shreveport continues to promote and provide wellness opportunities for faculty, staff and students, the LSUHS Office of Institutional Wellness welcomes

Sophia A. Nelson, a best-selling non-fiction author, national columnist for USATODAY, Washington Post & theGrio and a renowned TV political pundit, university scholar and adjunct professor of law and politics to present “The Importance of Post Pandemic Self Care”.   Mrs. Nelson's latest  book, Be The One You Need , will be featured in the July 18th issue of People Magazine as its best new "self-help" book.

Ms. Nelsons’ presentation was scheduled as a way to address the mounting mental and emotional health crisis heightened by the onset and lingering of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Recent research revealed increasing number of Americans are experiencing depression, isolation, bullying and worry amidst daily traumas in the form of political division, racial division, school shootings, and grocery store massacres.  These daily traumas are being dealt with on top of the more than one million COVID-19 deaths creating disturbing levels of mental health crises throughout America.

Local media representative are invited to hear Sophia Nelson’s presentation on the Importance of Post Pandemic Self-Care from noon-1pm at the LSU Health Shreveport auditorium.  Parking available in the Chancellor Parking Lot. Please RSVP to Lisa Babin at lisa.babin@lsuhs.edu if you plan to attend.  Interviews with Sophia Nelson are available upon request.

About Sophia A. Nelson - Ms. Nelson is a noted TV and radio personality, highly sought-after motivational speaker and a corporate leadership trainer for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and major universities. Nelson also contributes as a legal analyst regularly on MSNBC, CNN, and PBS. She is a former investigative counsel to the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, and senior counsel with the international law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP. Nelson is a bestselling author of three nonfiction books in addition to her recently released book, Be the One You Need, which was selected as People Magazines Best Self-Help Book. .

CONTACT: 

Lisa Babin, Executive Director of Communication and Public Affairs
Office: 318-675-8769, Cell: 318-458-0166, lisa.babin@lsuhs.edu

Shelby McCarty, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 318-675-8789, Cell: 318-787-8321, shelby.mccarty@lsuhs.edu 

SHREVEPORT, La. (May 21, 2022) – 215 LSU Health Shreveport students representing the largest graduating class to date will celebrate the culmination of hundreds of hours of academic accomplishment by graduating with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or Doctorate degree on Saturday, May 21. Thirteen students will receive a PhD from the School of Graduate Studies; 65 students will receive a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate from the School of Allied Health Professions; and 137 students will graduate from the School of Medicine and become Doctors of Medicine.

Graduation for all three of LSU Health Shreveport’s professional schools will take place in a combined ceremony held at Shreveport Convention Center. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Dr. William F. Tate IV, President of LSU will give the commencement address.

“We are excited and appreciative of Dr. Tate serving as our commencement speaker. He has shown tremendous interest and support to our institution since becoming LSU’s president. His enthusiasm and education in public health, research and epidemiology make him an ideal speaker for our commencement,” stated Dr. David Lewis, Interim Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport.

Wayne Brown and Randy Morris will represent the LSU Board of Supervisors assisting in the conferring of degrees.

“I am honored, both as a university president and epidemiologist, to speak to the graduating classes at LSU Health Shreveport,” said LSU President Dr. William F. Tate IV. “These talented graduates will go on to meet the growing demands for such critical fields as allied health and medicine, and in the process further LSU’s reputation as one of the top providers of healthcare professionals in the state, region, and country. I look forward to the opportunity to share this special moment with them.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services.

Healthcare remains a driving force in the local economy with LSU Health Shreveport contributing over $600 million annually to the local economy. More than 70 percent of the physicians and allied health professionals in the Shreveport-Bossier community received a portion or all their training at LSU Health Shreveport.

99.3 percent of the graduating medical students matched to residency programs with 44.5 percent staying in Louisiana to complete their residency training and 31.2 percent staying in Shreveport. All graduates of the Schools of Allied Health Professions and Graduate Studies have accepted employment offers or will be further pursuing their education.

The LSU Health Shreveport graduation ceremony will stream live online at www.youtube.com/user/LSUHSCShreveport.

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CONTACTS:

Lisa Babin, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Communication & Development
Office: 318-675-8769, Cell: 318-458-0166, lisa.babin@lsuhs.edu

Megan Strecker
Office: 318-675-4166, Cell: 770-595-3052, megan.strecker@lsuhs.edu

LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT GRADUATION DETAILS:

• Combined ceremony for School of Medicine, School of Allied Health Professions, and School of Graduate Studies

• Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m.

• Shreveport Convention Center (400 Caddo Street)

SHREVEPORT, LA – LSU Health Shreveport is excited to introduce its inaugural walkathon for cancer survivors on Saturday, June 4. The event is led by a group of LSU Health Shreveport students in partnership with Feist-Weiller Cancer Center and the LSU Health Shreveport Office of Institutional Wellness. Students took action after seeing a need in the community for an event that raises awareness about cancer survivorship programs and also gives survivors, along with the community, an opportunity to practice healthy lifestyle habits.

The walkathon will be held Saturday, June 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day. Walkathon participants will complete four laps around the quarter-mile walking path on the LSU Health Shreveport campus. Teams of three will be formed to include one cancer survivor, one LSU Health Shreveport student, and one LSU Health Shreveport faculty, staff, or community member. The event is open to the public and all cancer survivors across the region. Proceeds from the walkathon will benefit the Wellness & Integrative Medicine Program at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. This program includes extensive support for Feist-Weiller Cancer Center Survivors, including resources on mind, menu, and movement to improve patient outcomes as they transition from treatment to a healthy lifestyle after cancer.

In addition to the June 4th event, cancer survivors are invited to a bi-monthly cancer survivorship walking group to support one another in meeting exercise and health goals. This walking group meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Betty Virginia Park. To learn more and register for the 2022 Cancer Survivorship Walkathon, visit  lsuhsfoundation.org/survivorshipwalkathon. Registration closes on May 25 and is free for cancer survivors and students. Anyone interested in cheering on the survivors without participating in the walk are also welcome.

LSU Health Shreveport was honored to have members of the LSU Board of Supervisors on campus today. A tour of the LSUHS Center for Medical Education was held at 9am. Construction of this $74M facility is set to conclude in the Summer of 2023 followed by installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment leading up to the projected Fall opening.

Prior to the tour, members of the LSU Board of Supervisor members received an update from over a dozen LSUHS leaders on projects and accomplishments in the areas of medical education, research, and patient care.

The full board met at LSU Shreveport starting at 11am.

Download photos and video: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0kvdl1afz5qec2z/AABzmLadE1WzxjSxkLpM4Lmea?dl=0

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CONTACT:
Lisa S. Babin, Executive Director of Communication and Public Affairs                     
Office: 318-675-8769, Cell: 318-458-0166, Lisa.Babin@lsuhs.edu

Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 318-675-8789 Cell: 218-218-2081, Jazmin.Jernigan@lsuhs.edu

Shreveport, LA - The LSU Health Sciences Foundation of Shreveport hosted a Topping Out Ceremony celebrating the final structural beam being placed at the Center for Medical Education at LSU Health Shreveport on Wednesday, March 30. 

The invitation only event included top donors to the Center for Medical Education, state and local leaders, LSU Health Shreveport senior leadership, and LSUHS student representatives, who signed the final beam before it was lifted and secured onto the building.

Construction on the Center for Medical Education, a $74 million public-private partnership with the state of Louisiana, began in July 2021 and is set to conclude in the Fall of 2023. The Center for Medical Education is LSU Health Shreveport’s top fundraising priority and is part of LSU’s system-wide Fierce for the Future Campaign announced in 2019. The Center for Medical Education will allow LSU Health Shreveport to increase its medical school class size by 33% to address the healthcare shortage in Northwest Louisiana and the state.

“The Center for Medical Education is a transformational project as it will not only expand our medical education and research opportunities but will create our first common gathering space for all faculty, staff, and students. We are confident this project will strengthen our recruitment of students, faculty, and staff all of which positively impact the economy of our beloved community. On behalf of our faculty staff, and students, I offer my deepest thanks to every donor, the state of Louisiana, and the federal government for their investment in this exciting project,” stated David Lewis MD, Interim Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport.

Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, a partnership formed in 2018 between Ochsner Health and LSU Health Shreveport, announced an additional $8 million gift to the Center for Medical Education at the ceremony.

“In the spirit of the partnership, and to show our commitment to growing healthcare and healthcare providers in North Louisiana, I’m about proud to announce this additional $8 million gift,” stated David Callecod, Interim CEO of Ochsner LSU Health System – North Louisiana. “The Center for Medical Education a catalyst to improving the health and well-being of our region and the overall quality of life in North Louisiana. As we educate our future physicians, along with our partner LSU Health Shreveport, it helps ensure our entire region will continue to have the care they need when they need it.”

Ochsner LSU Health previously committed $2.5 million in 2019. With additional funding from Ochsner Health in New Orleans, the partners are the largest private donors to the project with a commitment of $15.5 million. The Ochsner Health Wellness Center located within the Center for Medical Education will provide LSUHS students, staff, and faculty a state-of-the-art facility with a gym, group fitness rooms, meditation areas, counseling services, and more.

LEMOINE, who was awarded the competitive construction contract by the State of Louisiana, is just over 260 days into the construction of the Center for Medical Education.

“It’s an honor to partner on this project,” stated William Lemoine, President of Vertical Construction for LEMOINE. “Over the years our company has been fortunate to partner in building some of the most significant educational and healthcare facilities in the state of Louisiana. The Center for Medical Education will certainly be no exception as it is sure to foster excellence in education and health and wellness for our community. We look forward to delivering this extraordinary vision into a reality.”

The Center for Medical Education will also be the new home to the Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT), allowing significant expansion of its research capabilities and impact in the region and state.  As the 6th-largest employer in the Shreveport-Bossier MSA with a direct economic impact of nearly $600 million, the Center for Medical Education will further impact LSU Health Shreveport’s economic growth for the region.

“We are excited to celebrate this significant milestone for our campus and community with those who have made it all possible. Before a shovel had even hit the ground, our donors saw the vision. Even through the uncertainty of the pandemic, they remained committed because they knew what the Center for Medical Education would mean for our community. I want to thank them for rising to the challenge,” stated Kevin Flood, President of the LSU Health Sciences Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to Ochsner Health and Ochsner LSU Health who have been on this journey with us from day one. They have been our primary supporter and that support has never wavered.”

To learn more about the Center for Medical Education, including a virtual tour, current naming opportunities, and ways to support the project, visit FutureofLSUHS.com or call the LSU Health Sciences Foundation at 318-861-0855.

Pictured left to right: David Lewis MD, Interim Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport; Kevin Flood, President of the LSU Health Sciences Foundation; David Callecod, Interim CEO of Ochsner LSU Health System – North Louisiana; William Lemoine, President of Vertical Construction for LEMOINE.

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CONTACT:
Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 318-675-8789, Cell: 318-716-8606, jazmin.jernigan@lsuhs.edu

About LSU Health Shreveport
LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) is one of two Health Sciences Centers of the Louisiana State University System and one of only 154 in the nation.  LSU Health Shreveport is home to the School of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies and School of Allied Health Professions, and a robust research enterprise, which has made a significant impact on the COVID-19 response in Louisiana, region and nation.

LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) has received a notice of award from Health and Human Services (HHS) for a $7 million appropriation in support of the Center for Medical Education and Emerging Viral Threats. Senator Bill Cassidy was instrumental in the receipt of this funding for LSUHS, which will enhance the impact of the Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) as it is able to expand significantly in the new Center for Medical Education building. Additional medical education and research opportunities coupled with the expected increase in the number of clinical trials testing new anti-virals and other anti-pathogen agents to combat infections with viruses, bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens will yield enhanced economic impact to the region and the state.

“This supports a strategy by which LSU Health Shreveport can better track the spread of coronavirus now and other infections in the future. This keeps us healthier and lowers health care costs. It also expands research possibilities to create more and better-paying jobs,” said Dr. Cassidy. The appropriation will supplement $50 million in state, local and philanthropic giving.

The CEVT, which will transition from a BSL2 to a BSL3 lab, will continue and then expand its mission as a robust surveillance site for new and returning pathogens, as well as serve as an incubator to attract new faculty.

LSU Health Shreveport’s Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) has established an unprecedented track record in saving lives from COVID-19 among a population facing historical health disparities. The appropriation fosters enhanced services to rural and often underserved populations of Northwest Louisiana which often suffer disproportionately. Furthermore, the Center for Emerging Viral Threats has been a state and national leader in genomic sequencing which identified novel variants of the virus in Louisiana. Viral genomic sequencing is necessary for national and global health security and is an important aspect in effective and timely response against future pandemics and outbreaks.

“This funding for LSU Health Shreveport’s new Center for Medical Education and our Center for Emerging Viral Threats is substantial. It provides fundamental support that will us to expand and strengthen the capabilities we have to address present and future viral threats and improve public health outcomes, all while continuing to pave the way for our institution as a national leader in this area of research,” said Chris Kevil, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research at LSU Health Shreveport. “I greatly appreciate the work and support of Senator Cassidy, who was instrumental in establishing this funding for LSUHS that will allow us to further succeed in our mission to teach, heal and discover in order to advance the well-being of the State, region, and beyond.”

 This appropriation will complete the Center for Medical Education, which will incorporate the Center for Emerging Viral Threats and additional lab space, allowing the CEVT to reach its’ fullest potential as a regional and national center of specialization in the field of virology research and viral genomic surveillance. An increased number of novel pharmaceutical trials are anticipated to occur with expansion of the CEVT further increasing its’ impact to the economy and health of our citizenry. Expanded career opportunities and targeted workforce development will occur with the expansion of the CEVT.   

LSU Health Shreveport is committed to health equity by understanding and appropriately addressing the needs of all populations thus ensuring our community will become stronger, safer, healthier, and better prepared to address future pandemics.

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CONTACT:
Lisa Babin, Executive Director of Public Affairs & Communication
Office: 318-675-8769, Cell: 318-458-0166, lisa.babin@lsuhs.edu

Interactive Day of Education and Awareness of Science, also known as IDEAS, is a free community event that exposes elementary and middle school children to the wonder and excitement of science. LSU Health Shreveport Science Matters Interest Group organizes the interactive day filled with science demonstrations that will feature over 35 experiments.  Presenters include LSU Shreveport Chemistry Club, SciPort, Louisiana Addiction Research Center (LARC), and the LSUHS Center for Brain Health.

IDEAS Day will be held Saturday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the UC mall of the LSU Shreveport campus located at 1 University Place, Shreveport 71115.

Registration is encouraged but not required, with the link closing on the morning of the event. Registration link. For more information, email Sarah Wagner at sew001@lsuhs.edu.

Examples of some of the demonstrations are attached in the Dropbox link below:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/coxv2u4xgrr2i5m/AADLiPZB8w-VFLvKqUoX67bza?dl=0

Interviews are available upon request with student organizers at the event.

SHREVEPORT – Today 140 LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine students learned where they will go for their residency training. For Match applicants, Match Day symbolizes the transition from undergraduate to graduate medical education, the day when they learn which residency training program they will attend as they begin their careers as physicians. It is a day filled with emotion as applicants reflect on all they have accomplished.

This year, the NRMP provided matching services to more than 42,000 applicants. The NRMP maintains a highly secure environment for applicants and programs to be able to rank their true preferences, confidentially, without undue pressure. The matching algorithm then attempts to place applicants into their most preferred training program that also prefers them.

At medical schools nationwide, Match Day ceremonies are held in tandem on the third Friday in March. The landmark event is a career-defining moment when students and their families discover which residency program they matched with and where they will spend the next three to seven years completing their graduate medical education.

This year, 99.3% of LSU Health Shreveport’s applicants matched continuing this strong indicator of competitiveness of a national level. 31.2% of the graduating class of 2022 will be staying at LSU Health Shreveport for their residency with a total of 41.8 % of graduates matching to a LSU residency site. 44.5% of the graduating students will be staying in Louisiana, which is critical with Louisiana facing a significant shortfall in the number of physicians needed to meet the healthcare demand of the state. Also of note is that 49.9% are entering into primary care residencies comprised of Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Medicine-Pediatrics. Of the 55.5% pursuing residencies outside of Louisiana, they will do so at prestigious programs around the country including Duke, Georgetown, Emory, Wake Forest, Case Western, Baylor, UCLA and UT Southwestern.

Dr. David Lewis, Interim Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport stated, “I am so proud of our students’ success in matching to a residency. It should be noted that their path to this accomplishment included navigating multiple years of a pandemic both personally and academically. I wish each of them continued success moving forward and I offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our faculty and staff who deliver exemplary medical education while personally caring for each student.” 

Match Day also reveals newly minted physicians coming into the Shreveport-Bossier City area. LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine successfully filled all 131 residency positions available. This new group of LSUHS residents will be welcomed to Shreveport in July, where they will train at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Academic Medical Center, St. Mary Medical Center, and Monroe Medical Center along with other partner hospitals.

Learn more about Match Day at LSUHS

Photo and video clips upon request. Livestream video available at https://youtu.be/KE06v20TlO4.

Aaron Sheppard, a second-year medical student at the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine, has been selected to participate in the 2022-2023 class of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP). The MRSP is a year-long residential research immersion program for future clinician-scientists who are current medical, dental, and veterinary students that advances health by inspiring careers in biomedical research. Aaron is one of 50 medical students from across the country and the first medical student from LSUHS chosen to participate in this prestigious program.

CONTACT:
Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 318-675-8789, Cell: 318-716-8606, jazmin.jernigan@lsuhs.edu

About LSU Health Shreveport

LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) is one of two Health Sciences Centers of the Louisiana State University System and one of only 154 in the nation.  LSU Health Shreveport is home to the School of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies and School of Allied Health Professions, and a robust research enterprise, which has made a significant impact on the COVID-19 response in Louisiana, region and nation.

SHREVEPORT – LSU Health Shreveport is once again offering their Summer Student Leadership Program (SSLP) which targets undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in business and administration disciplines who seek to learn the daily business operations of a higher education institution. Program participants will serve in the capacity of student workers in different administrative departments at LSU Health Shreveport. The mission of the SSLP is to provide educational and valuable work experience to student leaders and establish a network of potential future employees through a goal-driven summer program.

SSLP will commence in June 2022 and run through July 2022 for a total of eight (8) weeks. Program participants will be paid and required to commit thirty-six (36) hours per week. There will be a mandatory orientation for all program participants prior to the official start day for the program.

SSLP will require participants to complete projects assigned by their respective department. Projects will have measurable goals and benchmarks that will monitor program participants’ progress. SSLP participants will also participate in roundtable discussions with fellow program participants and career development sessions led by the SSLP Program Coordinator and participate in a class service project.

Minimum Application Requirements:

Applicant must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university at the time of application (student will need to provide proof of status prior to beginning the program).

Undergraduate applicants must have attained sophomore classification at the time of application.

Applicant must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

SSLP is open to students in all disciplines. However, students majoring in the following academic programs are strongly encouraged to apply:

Business Administration                                         Healthcare Administration
Marketing/Communications                                     Business Management
Accounting                                                               Finance
Human Resources                                                   Computer Science
Computer Information Systems                              Political Science/Pre-Law Criminal Justice

TO APPLY:
Please combine the following requested documents into one PDF document for your submission. Email your completed application to Shelvia R. Grant (shelvia.grant@lsuhs.edu) by March 22, 2022.

-Resume
-Letter of Interest
-Contact information (Name, Title, Phone Number and Email Address) for three (3) references
-College transcript (Transcript can be downloaded from school’s website; applicants’ status will be verified prior to program commencement).

Please Note: INCOMPLETE PACKETS WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.

For further inquiries, please contact Shelvia R. Grant at 318.675.8125 or shelvia.grant@lsuhs.edu

####

CONTACT:

Lisa Babin, Executive Director of Public Affairs & Communication
Office: 318-675-8769, Cell: 318-458-0166, lisa.babin@lsuhs.edu

Interviews are available upon request with Shelvia Grant, SSLP Program Coordinator

SHREVEPORT – On Saturday, March 5, 149 students participated in a rite of passage known as the “White Coat Ceremony”  which signifies their entrance into the medical profession.  Students receive a short white coat symbolizing their journey to the long white coat they will wear once they are a physician. The White Coat Ceremony is a tradition established by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 1993 at Columbia University as a way to highlight the importance of humanism in all care of patients, with the white coat serving as a tangible symbol of matriculation. Trained surgeons, soon followed by physicians, began wearing white lab coats in the late 1800s to distinguish themselves from those that did not practice evidence-based medicine.

After the white coat is placed on each student’s shoulders, the Hippocratic Oath is often recited, and students are welcomed warmly by academic leadership, faculty, and peers. Today 99% of AAMC-accredited schools of medicine in the United States hold a White Coat Ceremony, and many students consider it a milestone in the journey of their medical career.

The 2022 LSU Health Shreveport White Coat Ceremony was held at a packed Strand Theatre with Dr. Keith White, MD, FACS, Professor and the John C. McDonald MD Endowed Chair of Surgery serving as the keynote speaker.

“The annual White Coat Ceremony is a day I look forward to each year as it is one of the most memorable days in the lives of our medical students and their families.  Moving into the next phase of medical training is a day for each student and their families to celebrate as these students have now taken a major step in accomplishing their goal of becoming physicians”, stated David Lewis, MD, MBA, Dean of the School of Medicine and Interim Chancellor at LSU Health Shreveport.     

In addition to the presentation of white coats, new honorees were inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). This international honor society was established in 2002 by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation with the purpose of recognizing medical students, residents and faculty who practice patient-centered care by displaying qualities of excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, and empathy. Currently there are 175 chapters of GHHS of which three are international comprised of over 40,000 students, faculty, and other healthcare leaders.

PHOTO GALLERY

The list of 2022 Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductees is denoted below:

Faculty Inductees:

1. James Cotelingam
2. Terry Lairmore
3. Chiranjiv Virk
4. Michael Yim

House Officer Inductees:

1. Beatriz Briones
2. Sean Holmes
3. Sam Igbinedion
4. Chris Oglesby
5. Connor Eckholdt
6. Kristie Searcy

Student Inductees:

1. Sarah Bertrand
2. Andee Fontenot
3. Taylor Jeannsone
4. Kyle Lewis
5. Kendall Lewis
6. Ali Zeringue
7. Hillary Savage
8. Meredith Nelson
9. Grace Ann McCurdy
10. Alexa Tafaro
11. Asad Mussarat
12. Maggie Ross
13. Katherine Russo
14. Catherine Loehr
15. Kerigan Bowman
16. Brady Rice
17. Hannah Logan
18. Wybra Price
19. Hunter Hines
20. Ashley Barras
21. Lauren Rando
22. Weldon Furr

Dewey and Gigi Corley through their Chaparral Foundation, together with Margaret Place Properties, Inc., Frances and William Comegys, III, and the Family of Aaron and Peggy Selber, have committed a combined $1.2 million to establish the first endowment for LSU Health Shreveport’s Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT). This is the largest private gift in the CEVT’s history. The group presented the gift to leadership of the CEVT and LSU Health Shreveport at a press conference at LSUHS.

“These gifts will provide fundamental support for the CEVT for years to come as we continue to address the public health needs of the North Louisiana region and beyond,” said LSU Health Shreveport Vice Chancellor for Research, Chris Kevil, PhD. “Support through gifts like this enhance our capability to address current and future viral threats and elevate LSU Health Shreveport’s position as a national leader in viral research.”

The Emerging Viral Threat (EVT) Laboratory was established in March 2020 to address the need for faster detection and processing of COVID-19 tests, making it the first testing lab to be established at an academic medical center in Louisiana. In December 2020, the LSU Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents designated the lab a Center of Excellence. Since its inception, the CEVT has processed 547,344 COVID-19 PCR tests, administered 118,307 COVID-19 vaccines, and sequenced more than 10,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes representing 48% of all genomic sequencing in Louisiana.

“As confident as I was in our ability to stand-up a first-class lab to process COVID-19 test samples, I could never have envisioned the wide-scale impact of our services. I will be forever grateful to our lab staff, strike teams and LSUHS leadership for their early and continued support allowing us to grow and now be on the cusp of moving into a BSL3 lab in in 2023,” stated Andrew Yurochko, PhD, Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats.

The Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats’ core mission is to engage in multidisciplinary, basic, and translational research on infectious viruses, provide surveillance and detection for current and future viral threats, provide cutting edge diagnostics and access to national clinical trials, and educate physicians, scientists and the community about prevention, treatment and the science of viral-mediated diseases.

“On behalf of the entire COVID-19 Strike Team, I am thankful for these community leaders who recognize the important work being done by the CEVT,” said John Vanchiere, MD, PhD, Associate Director of the CEVT and Director of the LSUHS COVID-19 Strike Team. “This gift will allow for the CEVT’s continued success in combating COVID-19 and serving the community.”

Dewey Corley, local businessman and long-time supporter of LSU Health Shreveport stated, “We are proud to support the important work being done right here in Shreveport at the CEVT. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the scientists at LSU Health Shreveport have remained committed to serving this community, and we hope this gift demonstrates how grateful we are for every member of the CEVT for their dedication and expertise.”

Bill Comegys, president of the local non-profit group, Margaret Place Properties, Inc., shared, “We are excited for the opportunity to support the CEVT at LSU Health Shreveport. The CEVT has become a vital resource for our community and its citizens, and we are proud to aid in its continued growth.”

Through this historic gift, the group hopes to encourage others to support the CEVT’s work and mission. For more information about the CEVT and giving opportunities, visit www.lsuhs.edu/centers/center-of-excellence-for-emerging-viral-threats.

Effective Wednesday, January 5, the LSU Health Shreveport Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) will be moving its’ community COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts back to the Louisiana State Fairgrounds located at 3701 Hudson Avenue.  This temporary move is being made to reduce wait times and to accommodate more individuals each day.  It is critical to the effectiveness of area hospitals and urgent/quick care facilities that asymptomatic individuals NOT utilize Emergency Rooms (ER) or Urgent Care facilities for COVID testing.

The Louisiana State Fairgrounds location will return to a high throughput, multiple lane site like the one set up when vaccines became available in early 2021.   The Louisiana National Guard, CHRISTUS Health, Willis-Knighton Health System, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, and the Louisiana Department of Health continue to be essential partners in support of the LSUHS CEVT testing and vaccination efforts in Northwest Louisiana.

PCR Tests for COIVD-19, COVID vaccinations, booster shots, and third doses, will all be available at the Fairgrounds Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with gates closing at 4:30pm.  Test results will be available within 24-48 hours with PCR tests being the “gold standard” for accuracy.  Pre-registration is not required for testing.

To date, the LSU Health Shreveport COVID-19 Strike Teams have administered a total of 535,153 COVID tests and 115,464 doses of COVID vaccine.

### 

CONTACT: 

Lisa Babin, Executive Director of Communication and Public Affairs
Office: 318-675-8769  | Cell: 318-458-0166   | Email: Lisa.Babin@lsuhs.edu          

Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator  
Office: 318-675-8789  | Cell: 318-716-8606   | Email: jazmin.jernigan@lsuhs.edu

Shreveport - The Center of Excellence for Emerging Threats (CEVT) at LSU Health Shreveport continues to offer community COVID-19 vaccinations. The FDA-authorized bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, or updated boosters, are now available and include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the more prevalent omicron variant.

Bivalent and Primary Series COVID-19 Vaccinations are now being administered Monday-Friday from 10AM – 6PM at:

LSU Health Shreveport North Campus Vaccination Site (previously Chevyland)
2726 Linwood Ave, Shreveport, LA 71103

For COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccinations:

• Pfizer and Moderna Booster: recommended to individuals who are at least 2 months out from any previous COVID-19 infection.
• Pfizer Bivalent Booster: available to anyone 12+ who is at least 2 months out from either their 2^nd primary vaccine or any booster dose.
• Moderna Bivalent Booster: available to anyone 18+ who is at least 2 months out from either their 2^nd primary vaccine or any booster dose.

For Primary Vaccines:

• For initial doses of the vaccine, children ages 5 to 17 can ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine.
• Those age 5 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may request a third primary dose of the either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
• Everyone ages 12 years and older can get a COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster at least 2 months after completing their vaccine primary series.
• Janssen (J&J) vaccine is no longer available at our site.
• Vaccines used for the primary vaccination (monovalent) are no longer being used as a booster.  Only the bivalent vaccine formulation is available as a booster.

Vaccinations are being administered via drive-through access. No appointments are needed for vaccinations.  It is recommended that individuals who received their first and second dose of the vaccine from a non-LSUHS location should pre-register for a booster dose appointment at www.lsuhs.edu/covid19/vaccine. Individuals should provide ID and insurance information when they arrive at any LSUHS vaccine distribution site. Those that are without insurance are still eligible to receive the vaccine. For a list of COVID-19 testing sites in your area, visit ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.

SHREVEPORT, La. - The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is now available at the LSUHS North Campus site (former Chevyland) located at 2627 Linwood Avenue in Shreveport Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

This traditional type of vaccine, a protein subunit vaccine, has been studied by researchers and in use for decades. Other common protein subunit vaccines are the hepatitis B and whopping cough vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and like all other types of vaccines in the U.S., protein subunit COVID-19 vaccines are held to the same rigorous safety and effectiveness standards. To learn more about protein subunit vaccines, visit www.cdc.gov. Novavax is currently authorized as a two-dose primary vaccine series and is available to people ages 18 and older. 

The COVID-19 Strike Team has set up a dedicated number at the site that people can call with COVID-19 or monkeypox vaccine questions during operational hours: 318-675-7166.

The Center of Excellence for Emerging Threats (CEVT) at LSU Health Shreveport continues to offer community COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Saturday, August 20, vaccinations will be administered at:

Central Trades and Labor Council from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
7288 Greenwood Road, Unit 116, Shreveport, LA 71119
The first 50 individuals to get their first or second COVID-19 vaccine or first booster vaccine at the Central Trades and Labor Council event will receive a $100 gift card.

And

Linwood Charter School from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Women of Vision Health Fair
401 W. 70^th St, Shreveport, LA 71106

• For initial doses of the vaccine, children ages 5 to 17 can ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine.
• Those age 5 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may request a third primary dose of the appropriate vaccine.
• Everyone ages 12 years and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine booster at least 5 months after completing their vaccine primary series.
• Everyone over 50 may get a second booster five months after their original booster

Vaccinations are being administered via a walk-up clinic. No appointments are needed for vaccinations. It is recommended that individuals who received their first and second dose of the vaccine from a non-LSUHS location should pre-register for a booster dose appointment at www.lsuhs.edu/covid19/vaccine. Individuals should provide ID and insurance information when they arrive at any LSUHS vaccine distribution site. Those that are without insurance are still eligible to receive the vaccine.

COVID-19 TESTING REMINDER: COVID-19 testing is no longer available at the North Campus site as of Tuesday, April 19. Testing is still available at many pharmacies, primary care facilities, health units, and urgent care facilities. Vaccinations for those ages 6 month to five years should be accessed in your primary care setting.   For a list of COVID-19 testing sites in your area, visit ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.

Shreveport, LA - The Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats’ (CEVT) Viral Genomics and Surveillance Lab has surpassed uploading its’ 15,000^th sequence to GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing Influenza Data). The LSU Health Shreveport CEVT team has worked tirelessly since early in the COVID-19 pandemic to sequence and track variants of SAR-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

LSU Health Shreveport continues to be the top submitter of SARS-CoV-2 data from Louisiana to online repositories like GISAID. The rapid sharing of data throughout the world during the COVID-19 pandemic has been made possible using the GISAID database. Researchers from around the globe rely on the up-to-date sequence information shared through GISAID to understand and track circulating lineages and watch for new variants of the virus that may emerge. The more that scientists can learn about the virus that causes COVID-19, like how quickly the virus is transmitted and if variants are resistant to vaccines, the better. The invaluable insights that genomic sequencing data provides directly impacts public health decisions that can save lives, which is crucial as we continue to navigate the current COVID-19 pandemic and work to better prepare for or prevent any future pandemics that could arise.

The dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States and Louisiana is an Omicron subvariant called BA.5. The CDC reports that the Omicron variant spreads more easily than earlier variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and that individuals can be reinfected with this variant even if they recently recovered from COVID-19.

A recent sample from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia sequenced at LSU Health Shreveport was determined to be BA.2.75, another Omicron subvariant that was first detected in India in May 2022 and is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization and CDC. LSU Health Shreveport began a partnership with Mercer earlier this year through a grant received from The Rockefeller Foundation. Mercer University School of Medicine is an accelerator site working with the team at LSUHS to track COVID-19 variants in communities throughout the state of Georgia. This BA.2.75 subvariant is the first one sequenced in Louisiana but to date a positive BA.2.75 subvariant has not been detected in Louisiana. There are less than 60 BA.2.75 sequences from the United States in GISAID.

“Being able to monitor and track the spread of dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as identify less dominant subvariants is why viral genome sequencing is so important. Because of our capabilities and the partnerships we have established, we are able to work together with our colleagues around the country to better understand how COVID-19 is spreading, educate our respective communities about our efforts and how they can protect themselves, and information public health decisions with sequencing data,” said Krista Queen, PhD, Director of Viral Genomics and Surveillance at LSU Health Shreveport.

The following partnerships have also been instrumental in supporting genomic sequencing efforts at LSUHS: The Rockefeller Foundation; Louisiana Tech University; Grambling State University; Mercer University School of Medicine; the NIH-funded COBREs at LSUHS - the Center for Redox Biology and Cardiovascular Disease and the Center for Applied Immunology and Pathological Processes; Louisiana Department of Health; Johnson & Johnson; The Community Foundation; Caddo Parish Commission; Willis-Knighton Health System; Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport; Our Lady of the Lake Baton Rouge; and free and charitable community health clinics.

COVID-19 vaccines are still the best way to protect against COVID-19. To learn more about the current COVID-19 vaccines available and the recommended vaccine schedules, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. The LSUHS community COVID-19 vaccination site schedule can be found at www.lsuhs.edu/covid19/vaccine.

Media Contacts: 

Lisa S. Babin
Executive Director of Communication & Public Affairs 
Office: 318-675-8769 
Cell:  318-458-0166                                                                                      

Megan Strecker
Research Communications Project Coordinator
Office: 318-675-4166
Cell: 770-595-3052

Shreveport – The Center of Excellence for Emerging Threats (CEVT) continues to offer COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the North Campus site located at 2627 Linwood Avenue, Monday - Friday, 10AM – 6PM.

• PCR Testing is available to all ages.
• For Initial doses of the vaccine, children ages 5 to 17 may ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine, but adults aged 18 and older may receive the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
• Those age 5 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may request a third primary dose of the appropriate vaccine.
• The Pfizer Booster shot is available to children ages 12 to 17 that have received their second shot five or more months ago.  

Regarding Boosters, the FDA recommends:

• If unvaccinated, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA vaccines) are recommended.
• Those that are fully vaccinated, should request a booster shot if:
  • They received their second Pfizer-BioNTech more than 5 months ago and are age 12+ years
  • They are 18 years of age and received their second Moderna shot more than 6 months ago
  • They received a J&J/Janssen shot more than 2 months ago

All vaccinations and/or testing takes place without an individual needing to leave the vehicle.
No appointments are needed for first or second doses, or the booster. Individuals that received the first and second dose of the vaccine from a non-LSUHS location should pre-register at www.lsuhs.edu to receive the booster.

Individuals should provide ID and insurance information when they arrive at any LSUHS vaccine distribution site. Those that are without insurance are still eligible to receive the vaccine. To preregister, go to the LSU Health Shreveport website at www.lsuhs.edu.  

LSUHS COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINATION SITE

North Campus (former Chevyland) – 2726 Linwood Avenue, Shreveport
10 AM – 6 PM; Monday – Friday
PCR COVID-19 Testing, COVID vaccines and boosters

LSUHS COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES 

Margaritaville Resort & Casino – 777 Margaritaville Way, Shreveport
Tuesday, February 15
10 AM – 12 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) – 6220 E. Texas, Bossier City
Wednesday, February 16
10 AM – 1 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

BosMan Barber College – 2724 W. 70^th Street, Shreveport
Wednesday, February 16
11 AM – 1 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Airport Park Community Center – 6500 Kennedy Drive, Shreveport
Saturday, February 19
9 AM – 11 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Southern Hills Community Center – 1002 W. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport
Saturday, February 19
10 AM – 12 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Bill Cockrell Park Community Center – 4109 Pines Road, Shreveport  
Saturday, February 19
1 PM – 3 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

###

CONTACT: Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 318-675-8789, Cell: 318-716-8606, jazmin.jernigan@lsuhs.edu

Shreveport – The Center of Excellence for Emerging Threats (CEVT) is continuing COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the North Campus site located at 2627 Linwood Avenue, Monday - Friday, 10AM – 6PM. 

• PCR Testing is available to all ages.
• For Initial doses of the vaccine, children ages 5 to 17 may ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine, but adults aged 18 and older may receive the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
• Those age 5 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may request a third primary dose of the appropriate vaccine.
• The Pfizer Booster shot is available to children ages 12 to 17 that have received their second shot five or more months ago.  

Regarding Boosters, the FDA recommends:

• If unvaccinated, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA vaccines) are recommended.
• Those that are fully vaccinated, should request a booster shot if:
  • They received their second Pfizer-BioNTech more than 5 months ago and are age 12+ years
  • They are 18 years of age and received their second Moderna shot more than 6 months ago
  • They received a J&J/Janssen shot more than 2 months ago

All vaccinations and/or testing takes place without an individual needing to leave the vehicle.
No appointments are needed for first or second doses, or the booster. Individuals that received the first and second dose of the vaccine from a non-LSUHS location should pre-register at www.lsuhs.edu to receive the booster.

Individuals should provide ID and insurance information when they arrive at any LSUHS vaccine distribution site. Those that are without insurance are still eligible to receive the vaccine. To preregister, go to the LSU Health Shreveport website at www.lsuhs.edu.  

LSUHS COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINATION SITE

North Campus (former Chevyland) – 2726 Linwood Avenue, Shreveport 
10 AM – 6 PM; Monday – Friday
PCR COVID-19 Testing, COVID vaccines and boosters

LSUHS COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES

Bill Cockrell Park Community Center – 4109 Pines Road, Shreveport
Saturday, January 29 / 9 AM – 12 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Airport Park Community Center – 6500 Kennedy Drive, Shreveport
Saturday, January 29 / 1 PM – 4 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Williams Memorial CME – 7288 Greenwood Road, Shreveport
Saturday, January 29 / 1 PM – 4 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Hattie Perry Park – 4300 Ledbetter Street, Shreveport
Saturday, February 5 / 10 AM – 1 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Mitchell Park – 1518 Cox Street, Shreveport 
Saturday, February 5 / 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Clear Horizon Apartments – 4305 Illinois Avenue, Shreveport
Saturday, February 5 / 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Goldonna – 3159 Main Street, Goldonna
Saturday, February 5 / 1 PM – 5 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Springhill Public Health Unit – 110 June Anthony Drive, Springhill
Sunday, February 6 / 10 AM – 2 PM; 
1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

###

CONTACT: 
Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 318-675-8789, Cell: 318-716-8606, jazmin.jernigan@lsuhs.edu

Shreveport – The Center of Excellence for Emerging Threats (CEVT) continues to provide lifesaving testing and vaccines at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds site located at 3710 Hudson Avenue, Monday through Saturday, 10AM – 5PM. Gates close at 4:30PM. This large-scale community clinic will be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—Monday, January 17.

• PCR Testing is available to all ages.
• For Initial doses of the vaccine, children 5 through 17 years of age may ONLY receive the Pfizer vaccine, but adults aged 18 and older may receive the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
• Those age 5 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may request a third primary dose of the appropriate vaccine.
• The Pfizer Booster shot is available to children 12 through 17 years of age that have received their second shot five or more months ago.  

Regarding Boosters, the FDA recommends:

• If unvaccinated, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA vaccines) are recommended.
• Those that are fully vaccinated, should request a booster shot if:
  • They received their second Pfizer-BioNTech more than 5 months ago and are age 12+ years
  • They are 18 years of age and received their second Moderna shot more than 6 months ago
  • They received a J&J/Janssen shot more than 2 months ago

All vaccinations and/or testing takes place without an individual needing to leave the vehicle.

No appointments are needed for first or second doses of the vaccine. 

Individuals should provide ID and insurance information when they arrive at any LSUHS vaccine distribution site. Those that are without insurance are still eligible to receive the vaccine. While pre-registration is encouraged for those ages 18 and up, it is not required to receive the vaccine. To preregister, go to the LSU Health Shreveport website at www.lsuhs.edu.  

LSUHS COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINATION SITE

Louisiana State Fairgrounds – 3701 Hudson Avenue, Shreveport           

• 10 AM – 5 PM; Monday – Saturday; gates close at 4:30 PM
  PCR COVID-19 Testing, COVID vaccines and boosters

LSUHS COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES 

Clear Horizon Apartments – 4305 Illinois Ave, Shreveport

• Saturday, January 15, 9 AM – 12 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Webster Parish Public Health Unit – 1200 Homer Road, Minden             

• Sunday, January 16, 10 AM – 2 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Peaceful Rest Baptist Church – 8200 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport             

• Sunday, January 16, 12 PM – 3 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) – 6220 E. Texas St, Bossier City              

• Wednesday, January 19, 1 PM – 4 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

BilBerry Recreational Center – 1902 Alabama Avenue, Shreveport              

• Saturday, January 22, 9 AM – 12 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Valencia Recreation Center – 1800 Viking Dr, Shreveport             

• Saturday, January 22, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Williams Memorial CME – 7288 Greenwood Road, Shreveport              

• Saturday, January 22, 1 PM – 4 PM; 1^st or 2^nd doses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

###

CONTACT: Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 318-675-8789, Cell: 318-716-8606, jazmin.jernigan@lsuhs.edu

Effective Wednesday, January 5, the LSU Health Shreveport Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT) will be moving its’ community COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts back to the Louisiana State Fairgrounds located at 3701 Hudson Avenue.  This temporary move is being made to reduce wait times and to accommodate more individuals each day.  It is critical to the effectiveness of area hospitals and urgent/quick care facilities that asymptomatic individuals NOT utilize Emergency Rooms (ER) or Urgent Care facilities for COVID testing.

The Louisiana State Fairgrounds location will return to a high throughput, multiple lane site like the one set up when vaccines became available in early 2021.   The Louisiana National Guard, CHRISTUS Health, Willis-Knighton Health System, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, and the Louisiana Department of Health continue to be essential partners in support of the LSUHS CEVT testing and vaccination efforts in Northwest Louisiana.

PCR Tests for COIVD-19, COVID vaccinations, booster shots, and third doses, will all be available at the Fairgrounds Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with gates closing at 4:30pm.  Test results will be available within 24-48 hours with PCR tests being the “gold standard” for accuracy.  Pre-registration is not required for testing.

To date, the LSU Health Shreveport COVID-19 Strike Teams have administered a total of 535,153 COVID tests and 115,464 doses of COVID vaccine.

### 

CONTACT: 

Lisa Babin, Executive Director of Communication and Public Affairs
Office: 318-675-8769  | Cell: 318-458-0166   | Email: Lisa.Babin@lsuhs.edu          

Jazmin Jernigan, Public Relations Coordinator  
Office: 318-675-8789  | Cell: 318-716-8606   | Email: jazmin.jernigan@lsuhs.edu