Summer 2023 Memorial MEDICAL MILESTONES Meet the Duncan duo Identical twin physicians join Heart and Vascular Center page 16
2 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 New age of lung cancer diagnostics Approximately 75% of lung cancers are diagnosed in an advanced stage. And around 70% of cancerous lung nodules are found in the outer periphery of the lung, an area that is challenging to reach and diagnose. The ION by Intuitive is helping revolutionize care for lung cancer at Lake Charles Memorial. Scan the QR code to hear what our pulmonologists have to say about this unprecedented technology. MEDICAL MILESTONES is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Lake Charles Memorial Health System. Information in MEDICAL MILESTONES comes from a wide range of medical experts. It should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. To recommend this subscription to a friend or family member, or to request to be removed from this mailing, email marketing@lcmh.com. 2023 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Pain-free after six years of hurting Find out how Cheyenne Harper gained relief from joint pain and got back to doing what he loves. Help for hard-to-heal wounds The Wound Care Clinic team—our wound care detectives—are on a mission: to sleuth out ways to heal those stubborn wounds. Page 4 Homegrown healing Joshua Bacon, MD, grows his own garden—and loves teaching patients how to choose fresh foods to feel better. Page 12 Delivering complete care for moms and babies At Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women, our dedicated experts give you the best possible experience, tailored to your unique needs. Page 8 Now serving the Welsh area Meet the healthcare providers at The Clinic of Welsh, now part of the Lake Charles Memorial Health System family of clinics. Page 18 10 Live & On Call Live & On Call is a livestreamed virtual event where we visit with physicians about helpful and relevant health information. It provides you with an opportunity to ask questions, in real time, to some of our top experts. Stay up-to-date with new and upcoming episodes on our Facebook page. Visit lcmh.com/live to watch previous episodes.
lcmh.com 3 2023 Board of Directors Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chairperson Denise Rau, Chairperson-Elect/ Vice Chairperson & Secretary Dr. Mitch Adrian, Past Chairperson Devon Hyde, President/CEO & Assistant Secretary Dawn Johnson, Treasurer Daniel Hall, DPM, Medical Staff Past President Edward Bergen, DO, Medical Staff President Benjamin Azevedo, MD, Medical Staff President Elect Judge Gene Thibodeaux, Trustee William “Randy” Condos, Jr., MD, Trustee Amanda Ellington, MD, Trustee Gregory Lugo, MD, Trustee Mr. Joe Miller, Jr., Trustee Mr. Louis Todd, Sr., Trustee From the CEO As I set foot into my third year with Lake Charles Memorial Health System, I am delighted to report on the tremendous amount of growth and innovation I have witnessed thus far. Despite the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, we have remained resilient and agile, adapting to the changing needs of our patients and embracing opportunities for advancement. I am so proud to be a part of a team dedicated to transforming the type of care available to our community. This growth is only possible through the constant commitment and tireless work of our Memorial family. The recruitment and integration of new physicians and clinics to Memorial has been exciting and fulfilling, knowing we are able to offer more options for care to the people in southwest Louisiana. We continue to ensure that Memorial is the healthcare destination of choice for all people in SWLA, and that it’s a place that heals and provides compassionate care close to home. Expanding our footprint enables us to extend our high-quality care to a broader patient base, ultimately improving health outcomes and positively impacting the lives of our neighbors. None of our achievements would have been possible without the unwavering dedication and expertise of our exceptional team. I am immensely proud of our healthcare professionals who go above and beyond, day in and day out, to deliver outstanding care to our patients. Their compassion, skills and commitment to excellence have been the driving force behind our success. As you read the stories of patients, physicians and community members engaged in our mission, I hope that you are encouraged by the words that provide you with a glimpse into the transformative power of our services and the meaningful connections we forge. We understand that the best healthcare is not solely about treating illnesses; it is about fostering genuine connections, instilling hope and empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest. On behalf of your healthcare home, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our friends, partners and patients for their unwavering support. Together, we are transforming healthcare and building a healthier future for the home we all love. Sincerely, Devon Hyde, President and CEO
4 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Helping you heal Give us a call today at 337-284-5796 and get started on your wound-healing journey. You can also email woundcare@lcmh.com. Wound Care Center 1801 Oak Park Boulevard Lake Charles, LA 70601 Where wounds go to Collaboration is key. Patients suffering with lowerleg arterial or venous ulcers may be referred to specialists in radiology and/or vascular surgery, who may be able to provide longer-term relief. Wheelchair patients who experience repeated pressure ulcers may be referred to clinics that can offer pressure mapping, recommend off-loading devices and ensure that the wheelchair is properly fitted to minimize rubbing against or putting pressure on bony prominences. When being treated, lymphedema is addressed, and compression pumps may be ordered. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may also be an option to speed healing. During and after treatment, patients may be referred to services such as diabetes care or nutrition counseling that can help address the underlying causes of non-healing wounds. If appropriate, family members and caregiver education may take place, teaching how to perform wound care and how to use any prescribed products. heal Have you ever had a wound that was hard to heal? The Lake Charles Memorial Health System Wound Care Clinic is staffed with a team of doctors, nurses and therapists uniquely experienced in the healing of chronic wounds. They have been SWLA’s “wound care detectives” since 1991. It is their mission to figure out why a wound is there and what it takes to heal. And they are good at it. How it works The first step to successful wound treatment is to determine the cause of the wound and what factors may be preventing it from healing. This is why treatment always starts with a complete health history and a thorough evaluation of the wound and area surrounding the wound. In addition to performing a physical examination, patients can expect them to measure and photograph the wound. If there is an infection, tissue cultures—and biopsies, if necessary—will be used to diagnose the cause of the infection and prescribe the most effective medications and/or other treatment options.
lcmh.com 5 You might need wound care services if you have: • Chronic wounds (not healing within four weeks) • Acute wounds • Surgical wounds • Traumatic wounds • Diabetic wounds • Osteomyelitis (acute and refractory) • Fasciitis • Venous wounds • Arterial wounds • Compromised skin grafts and flaps • Delayed radiation injury • Necrotizing soft tissue infection • Crush injury, compartment syndrome and other acute traumatic ischemia • Clostridial myonecrosis Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) HBOT is a medical treatment that uses pure oxygen at two-to-three-times atmospheric pressure to aid in healing wounds. For patients that qualify, HBOT can help fight infection by: • Inhibiting and inactivating toxins • Improving white blood cell activity • Inactivating or killing certain bacteria • Enhancing the effectiveness of certain antibiotics • Allowing the body’s immune system to build tissues more effectively • Stimulating growth of new microvascular blood vessels • Reducing swelling and inflammation • Stimulating fibroblast activity to build collagen
6 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Stretching back many decades, the Todd family have been longtime advocates and supporters of Lake Charles Memorial. Louis Todd, a member of the Board of Trustees and dear friend of Memorial, has served on the board for over 20 years. He followed in the footsteps of his father, who served for approximately 25 years before that, and his grandfather, who was a supporter of Memorial from its inception. Throughout the years, Louis and his wife, Lisa, have played a crucial role in sustaining and protecting the mission of the community’s health system. Their dedication is made evident in their significant investment of time, talent and financial involvement making Memorial a better place for all. “What I love most is that we are a healing place,” says Louis. “We have a place, here at home, for everyone to receive the care they need. The only reason we exist is to help people, and if we lose sight of that, we might as well close the doors.” ‘Blessed’ to have Memorial Louis recalls his experience serving over the years and describes it as a “privilege” to play a part in helping people. As the nurses and physicians spend time on the front lines, Louis and Lisa describe their role as preserving the abundant opportunity to care for all people in southwest Louisiana. From welcoming their grandchildren at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women to ensuring that the sickest of the sick can be cared for everyday at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital on Oak Park Boulevard, the Todd family shares the same sense of purpose as each of the employees and physicians throughout the health system. “The people of LCMHS have a ‘can-do spirit’ and have amazed me time and time again. It makes me proud to know I get to play a part in the life-saving care Memorial offers,” says Lisa. During the Todds’ involvement, many expansions to facilities and advancements in care have come to fruition. “I would like the community to know that we are a true community health system. A system this large and comprehensive being independently and locally owned is a phenomenon across the country,” says Louis. “We are blessed to have Memorial in SWLA to care for everyone.” Louis and Lisa both hope to see continued growth in facilities, advancement in technology, and the most up-to-date treatment options, ensuring that the people of SWLA can receive the care they need close to home for years to come. Making a difference at Memorial Louis and Lisa Todd are standing in the Todd Terrace, made possible by Louis’ parents, Ray and Ann Todd, in 2016. The Todd Terrace is an outdoor relaxation area, located at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, where patients, visitors and employees can enjoy lunch or the beautiful weather. If you are interested in supporting programs and initiatives that support the LCMHS Cancer Center and patients through the Cancer Fund, contact foundation@ lcmh.com or call 337-494-2548.
Helping cancer patients feel good again After a cancer diagnosis, looking good can often be an important step toward feeling good. With that in mind, Lake Charles Memorial Health System’s Cancer Center and The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital are now offering men and women struggling with cancer a chance to Get Pampered...Feel Pretty. Quarterly meetings are hosted for small groups of cancer patients as an opportunity to receive personalized skin care treatments and products by volunteer licensed estheticians Tiffaney Maggio and Tamara Fontenot. Trained to specially work with oncology patients, they teach all about caring for sensitive skin before, during and after chemotherapy or radiation. All participants receive a special bag filled with samples of products used for the training. Thanks to The Foundation’s Cancer Fund, this class is offered at no cost to participants. Save the date for this year’s Gala! The Fashion with Purpose Gala benefiting the Cancer Fund will take place on Sept. 29, 2023. The fashion show will feature a colorful collection worn by local cancer survivors treated at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at lcmh.com/gala. lcmh.com 7 Upcoming classes: Tuesday, Sept. 5 Wednesday, Dec. 6 Participants may register online at lcmh.com/events. Tamara Fontenot Tiffany Maggio
8 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 We’re here when it’s time for your SPECIAL DELIVERY We also offer individualized labor support. Activity; positioning; walking; and special techniques, such as the birth ball, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy and massage, can shorten labor, reduce stress and decrease the need for pain medication. No one knows you like YOU. Whether you choose natural childbirth, pain medication or an epidural, the Family Birth Center supports your decision. Obstetrics at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women exemplifies excellence in women’s healthcare in southwest Louisiana. Offering a wide scope of pregnancy services, we have delivered more than 30,000 babies since 2003 in a family-centered atmosphere. Our OB-GYN physicians have an impressive list of credentials when it comes to: • Preventive care and family planning • Pre- and postnatal care • Obstetrics • High-risk obstetrics (MFM) • Infertility and reproductive endocrinology • Gynecologic oncology • Mental health and postpartum depression What to expect Our Early Labor Evaluation is available 24/7 for pregnant moms experiencing unexpected issues or early labor symptoms. For delivering moms, your birthing experience takes place in a spacious and private labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) suite. The LDRP suite is designed to provide a nurturing, supportive and home-like environment for you, your baby and your family. The Family Birth Center offers 38 suites specially designed to accommodate women through every phase of the birthing process. Adjustable bassinets are available in each room to make it easier for the new mom to reach the baby from the bed. Except when medically necessary, babies never have to leave their mothers. Staffed with registered nurses who are skilled in high-risk deliveries, the center also has state-of-the-art surgical suites dedicated to cesarean deliveries.
lcmh.com 9 Care for our most fragile infants Should complications arise, physicians who specialize in high-risk pregnancies and premature babies are on staff and are equipped for high-risk and cesarean births. For premature and newborn critical care, Memorial for Women has a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit specially equipped and staffed by a team of dedicated registered nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners who provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under the medical supervision of board-certified neonatologists. Natus NICVIEW cameras are provided to offer families a virtual window to view the newest addition to their family via a smartphone or computer if they are unable to be on-site. These small cameras mounted to the NICU bedside capture a live, secure, password-protected video stream. This captures every moment of their baby’s life and keeps families at the center of newborn care. The cameras and streaming promote bonding, even at a distance. If possible, you’ll spend your baby’s first hour after birth cuddled up together, skin to skin. This helps regulate baby’s heart rate, body temperature and breathing. Your baby stays in your room day and night, as long as you’re both healthy. That’s the best way to bond from the start. EXPECTING? We’d love to show you around. Scan the QR code for a virtual tour! Since your baby will be close, you’ll be able to breastfeed as soon as you’re ready. And our trained staff will be there to help if you need it. Breastfeeding support Skin-to-skin time Home sweet home. Our staff can also help if feeding problems come up after you go home. Rooming in We’re a designated BIRTH-READY HOSPITAL. Birth-Ready Hospital designation from Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative for improved perinatal health outcomes, the result of implementing clinical practices that promote safe, equitable and dignified birth for all birthing persons in Louisiana. Our Family Birth Center has been recognized with The Gift designation for excellence in maternity services and breastfeeding support and certified as a Safe Sleep Champion by Cribs for Kids.
Meet some of our orthopedic experts 10 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Find relief If you are suffering from joint pain, visit lcmh.com/orthopedics or call 337-284-6635. My life without joint pain When it comes to total joint replacement, experience matters. See why these patients trusted our experts. Cheyenne Harper From the outside, Cheyenne looked like an active 32-year-old cowboy teaching roping lessons, training horses and traveling around the country to compete as a PRCA calf roper. Born into a family that lives and breathes rodeo, Cheyenne entered the world of professional rodeo at age 18. He ranked among the top 40 calf ropers in the world and continued the cowboy tradition that he was born into. “My grandfather started our family rodeo business in 1979,” Cheyenne says. “It’s been a part of my life since the day I was born.” But Cheyenne experienced bad hip pain and desperately needed a double hip replacement to continue pursuing his dream. Over the years, the wear and tear of jumping on and off a horse coupled with hereditary joint issues, according to his doctor, caused extensive joint deterioration. It was making it almost impossible to continue the intense activity level his lifestyle required. After six excruciating years in pain, Cheyenne was eager to try anything. When his doctor suggested he take the leap and pursue a double hip replacement, he easily replied, “Let’s do it!” In August 2022, he underwent surgery to replace his right hip. After just six weeks of recovery, he went in again for his left hip to be replaced. “Before the surgery, I hurt 24/7. When I woke up, I immediately felt the difference,” Cheyenne recalls. Cheyenne was back in the saddle in March 2023 and took home a first-place buckle and the satisfaction of knowing he can get back to doing what he loves, without hip pain. Jeffery Balaszy, MD Kipp Cryar, MD James Jackson, DO
lcmh.com 11 Mark Woodruff As a military veteran, Mark Woodruff is a man made of tough stuff. He’s not a person who sits in one place for very long. Yet with his warm and welcoming smile, Mark isn’t the type who ever meets a stranger. His positive attitude is contagious to those around him. From their home in Alexandria, Mark and his wife enjoyed an active lifestyle, raising children and serving in their local church. Mark continued his dedication to the community through coaching sports teams and teaching young men carpentry and electrical skills. However, all of that came to an unexpected end in 2018 when Mark’s knee collapsed. After one failed surgery, Mark was resigned to living his life in debilitating pain. Since he was unable to perform the simplest of tasks without pain, his life, once active and busy, was suddenly isolating and monotonous. Amy Gardner In 2021, Amy, an avid hiker, active grandmother and wife to a small-business owner, knew she would have to do something about the pain in her knees. That’s when she went to see Nathan Cohen, MD. She was referred to him for a previous procedure by friends who described him as a “well-oiled machine.” He recommended both knees be replaced if she wanted to continue the active lifestyle she loved. The pain she experienced made it difficult to stand for even more than five minutes at a time and was affecting her professional and personal life. Amy also loved to paint, and started to notice that she didn’t have the energy to be creative anymore. “I was tired of telling my grandkids, ‘I can’t— Nana’s knees hurt,’” explains Amy. In September 2021, her right knee was replaced, and just six months after the surgery, she was hiking with her family in Rocky Mountain National Park, a place she has always wanted to hike. Still, she knew the left knee was wearing down. At the beginning of 2023, she had her left knee replaced as well. Now, with two new knees and no pain, she’s getting stronger every day. She looks forward to many more years of vacationing with her family and helping her husband at his pasta shop. “Next stop,” says Amy, “Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.” “I hurt real bad,” says Mark. “I was in pain every day for five years. I was a mess! I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything. It was isolating me from my family and friends because I couldn’t keep up with them and do the things they were doing.” Mark’s knee pain continued to progress to the point where he couldn’t stand straight or walk without a bow in his leg. He continued to plead his case to doctors, but given the complicated reconstruction needed, he continued to be turned away. In a last-ditch effort to find a surgeon willing to fix his problems, Mark was referred to Alan Hinton, MD, at Lake Charles Memorial Health System. “I had given up hope until I met Dr. Hinton,” says Mark. “He looked me in my eyes and said, ‘I hear your story, I see how much you hurt and I’m going to help you.’ And he did.” After a complicated total knee replacement, Mark has returned to the life that he didn’t think he would have again. He is once again serving his congregation, teaching trade skills to younger men and spending his days fishing on his boat. “Today I’m standing tall. I have joy again. And I have God, Dr. Hinton and Lake Charles Memorial to thank for that,” says Mark. “I’m just so grateful.” Alan Hinton, MD Nathan Cohen, MD
12 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Farm-to-table medicine Growing up in northwest Arkansas, Joshua Bacon, MD’s father kept a small orchard. During his childhood, with plenty of fruits right in his backyard, his appreciation for homegrown food blossomed. As an adult, his first gardening experience was in the front flower bed of his cousin’s home, and while it didn’t produce the outcome he was hoping for, it was just enough to propel him into learning more. So for the remainder of residency training, if he wasn’t taking care of patients or studying medicine, he was studying gardening, bees, chickens, ducks—you name it, the book was on his bookshelf. After meeting his wife, Lauren, and considering a home to buy together, they made sure there was enough room for a garden. To fill their new home, they welcomed a new addition to their family, Elijah. Prioritizing better food, or growing it themselves, has become a big focus for Dr. Bacon’s family, especially as their son has started to eat solid foods. “We want him to eat well and have an appreciation as to what food is and where it comes from,” Dr. Bacon explains. “I may be a little biased, but I think he can tell the difference between regular store-bought food and something fresh that has been blended up for him.” Homegrown healing Currently the garden consists of mustard greens, lettuces, carrots, garlic and green beans. In the near future, the additions of purple hull peas, okra, zucchini, about half a dozen varieties of squash, half a dozen varieties of beans, a dozen or so varieties of tomatoes, some watermelons, corn and potatoes will complete the garden. “The food out of my garden has never had chemical fertilizers or pesticide exposure; I know who grew it, where it was picked, what it is [and] what is in it. And—like my friend, Dr. Nabours, says—I know what is not in it.” Additionally, the several beehives on the property allow Dr. Bacon and his family to have fresh, local honey on hand. “You can’t get more local than 20 feet from your house,” Dr. Bacon jokes. Food really can be medicine. Dr. Bacon is passionate in his practice about promoting the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. In some cases, he has seen patients improve their diets, increase physical activity and begin the process of stopping some prescription medications. The feeling of knowing someone is truly becoming well brings him great satisfaction. Dr. Bacon encourages everyone to consider a garden at their home. A home garden improves food security and quality, and if done correctly, may decrease costs of food. Don’t be afraid to learn as you go. As Dr. Bacon describes, “If it fails, at least we learned something from the experience.” Talk to the expert To make an appointment with Family Medicine Physician Joshua Bacon, MD, call 337-284-8793. 4345 Nelson Road, Suite 102
lcmh.com 13 How to talk to your kids about vaping As a parent, you probably have a running list in your mind of “things to talk to the kids about.” Here’s one more important item to add to that list: vaping. As many as 20% of high school students and 5% of middle schoolers report having used vape products (e-cigarettes) each month. It’s illegal to sell these products to kids under age 21, but they are easy to get online. Smoking e-cigarettes is a serious health threat—especially for kids and teens. Nearly all contain nicotine, which is made from tobacco and is extremely addictive. Plus, nicotine and other toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes may severely damage the heart, lungs and brain in growing children, as well as in adults. What exactly are e-cigarettes? These battery-powered devices heat up a fluid that creates an inhalable mist. That liquid goes by many names: E-juice. E-liquid. Vape juice. Vape liquid. The solution is flavored, so it tastes good. Most flavors were banned nationally in 2019, but mint and menthol are still allowed. And any flavor is allowed in inexpensive, disposable e-cigarettes. This makes them particularly popular with kids. Start the conversation If you suspect your child is vaping— or is tempted to start—bring up the topic when it’s a natural fit. For instance, when you’re together, do you see someone using an e-cigarette; spot a vape shop; or discover an ad for e-cigarettes in a store, a magazine or on the internet? Ask your child what they think about vaping to kick off the conversation. Listen to their answers and any questions they may have. Talk about the risks, and tell them you care about their health. Here are some facts to know and share: Using nicotine at a young age may make it harder to concentrate and learn or even control your mood and your impulses. The brain keeps developing until age 25. When you create a new memory or learn a new skill, your brain builds stronger connections (synapses) between brain cells. Young people’s brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed. Using nicotine when you’re young may also increase the risk for future addiction to tobacco and other drugs. The vapor from e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals like propylene glycol or ethylene glycol (also known as antifreeze), diethylene glycol, and aldehydes—such as formaldehyde, which is ranked as one of the most significant cardiovascular toxins and is also found in cigarette smoke. Secondhand vapor is harmful too. So even if your child doesn’t vape, it’s potentially risky for them to be around any friends who do. Finally, e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes also hurt adults’ health. If you use these products, quitting can be hard, but it is possible. Setting a good example for your kids can make a world of difference in whether they use e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes too. Sources: American Academy of Physicians; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention As many as 20% of high school students and 5% of middle schoolers report having used vape products (e-cigarettes) each month.
14 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Training the next generation For over 26 years, Lake Charles Memorial has been fortunate to partner with the LSU Health Sciences System to provide comprehensive training of family medicine physicians through the LSU Family Medicine Residency. The mission of the Memorial/LSUHSC Residency is to supply southwest Louisiana with caring, well-trained family medicine physicians who provide healing and comprehensive care to the entire family. Each July new physicians begin their training right here in SWLA, many of whom ultimately stay and provide care to the patients of our community. “It’s a great gift for our area to help develop these young physicians and give them a chance to experience what we have to offer,” says Danette Null, MD, Residency Program Director. “For instance, in the past 10 years we have trained 162 family medicine physicians, with over 40% remaining in SWLA to practice.” Gaining experience During their training, the residents will provide patient care that is continuous, comprehensive and in the context of the entire family. They are prepared to practice medicine in a full range of settings and in a continually evolving professional environment. Graduates will display leadership skills and good citizenship in the medical society and communities in which they practice. During their time with Lake Charles Memorial, these young physicians play many roles, but one in particular is treating patients at the LSU Family Medicine Center, located at 1525 Oak Park Blvd., adjacent to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. This clinic is open to patients of all ages seeking primary care. From one end of Louisiana to the other, many of our residents continue to serve Louisiana in areas such as Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, Westlake, Sulphur, Jennings, Kinder, DeRidder, Opelousas, Abbeville, Rayville, Cutoff, Crowley, New Iberia, Minden, Monroe, Mandeville, Walker, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Youngsville, Thibodaux, New Iberia and beyond. Skilled mentors Our talented faculty members provide excellence in education to residents as well as visiting medical students from LSU, Tulane and Sam Houston State University. Physician faculty: • Danette Null, MD • Brian Harrell, MD • Timothy Takach, DO • E. Jay Soileau, MD • Tuananh Pham, MD • Bradley Loewer, MD • Caroline Courville, MD • Elizabeth Murray, MD In the past 10 years we have trained 162 family medicine physicians, with over 40% remaining in SWLA to practice.” —Danette Null, MD, Residency Program Director “
lcmh.com 15 A shining example Daniel Seeser, MD, is one example of how the Family Medicine Residency helps kick-start a young physician’s career. In August 2023, Dr. Seeser will begin his new practice with the Memorial Medical Group at the Memorial Family Medicine Clinic located at 2750 Aster St., in Lake Charles. After living in southwest Louisiana for the past three years, Dr. Seeser has grown particularly fond of the area and appreciates the conveniences that come with calling Lake Charles home. With family located a short distance up the road in Alexandria, he is excited about the prospect of wrapping up the day in the clinic and still arriving at his family’s home for dinner when he has the chance to visit. Throughout his residency, he had the opportunity to work alongside other Memorial physicians, gaining familiarity with the health system and all the services that are offered to patients. He’s built relationships with a robust network of specialists and feels confident that his patients will have access to the care they need. Dr. Seeser looks forward to continuing the high level of care given to patients at the Aster Street clinic and is excited to join the team. In addition to caring for the various needs of patients and their families, Dr. Seeser enjoys bass fishing, playing guitar, golfing, sampling craft beer and watching sports. The doctor will see you now To make an appointment with Dr. Seeser, call 337-284-9061.
16 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Duncan Karl Duncan, MD, and Kurt Duncan, MD, are identical twins. They are originally from Plaisance, Louisiana, and most recently practiced at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Along with the rich culture, food and warm weather, the appeal of having family close by and stability is what brought the brothers back to Louisiana. From an early age, both had an interest in studying medicine, but enjoyed their undergraduate studies in mathematics. Upon discovering more about the cardiology field during medical school, they felt their natural strengths were in line with this field and knew it was a good fit. The brothers agree that the most rewarding part of their practice is when a patient refers a family or friend to them. Knowing they helped someone enough that they want to share that experience with their loved ones means they made a major impact in someone’s life. They began medical school side by side, helping each other succeed, and today still practice side by side helping patients get healthy. Welcoming the Lake Charles Memorial has added a double dose of heart care to Memorial’s Heart and Vascular Center The doctors are accepting new patients at their clinic inside the Heart and Vascular Center, located at 1717 Oak Park Blvd., second floor, inside Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. To schedule an appointment, please call 337-284-9139.
lcmh.com 17 duo Coming soon! More about Memorial’s newest interventional cardiologists Karl Duncan, MD, completed his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. His postgraduate training includes an internal medicine residency and a cardiovascular fellowship from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He then completed an advanced cardiac imaging fellowship from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons’ St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital in New York; a coronary and cardiac CT fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health Center–Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland; and an interventional cardiology/ peripheral vascular fellowship at Wayne State University. Dr. Karl Duncan is boardcertified in interventional cardiology. Kurt Duncan, MD, completed his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. His postgraduate training includes an internal medicine residency from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan; an echocardiography fellowship from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; a clinical nuclear cardiology fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut; and a cardiovascular disease fellowship at New York Medical College–Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. He also completed an interventional cardiology/peripheral vascular fellowship at Wayne State University–Detroit Medical Center with advanced procedural trainings in echocardiography from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, nuclear cardiology at Yale University School of Medicine and interventional/peripheral vascular training at Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Kurt Duncan is boardcertified in interventional cardiology. Stay tuned over the next couple of months as more physicians join the Memorial Medical Group at LCMHS: • Cardiology— Ahmad Awan, MD • General Surgery— Eric Linville, MD • Internal Medicine— Ashlyn Brown, MD • Nephrology— Fahad Lodhi, MD • OB-GYN— Jessica Cole, MD • And more
18 Memorial Medical Milestones • Summer 2023 Lake Charles Memorial Health System welcomes Yvonne Krielow, DNP, FNP-BC, and The Clinic of Welsh staff as the newest members of the Memorial Medical Group family of affiliated clinics. Krielow began serving the healthcare needs of the community of Welsh in 2008 when she opened The Clinic of Welsh. She and her staff will continue providing the exceptional care that they have become known for to the Welsh community. Krielow is a familiar face around southwest Louisiana. She earned her registered nursing license at LSUE, followed by a 10-year role working in the ICU at Jennings American Legion Hospital. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s in Nursing at McNeese State University and began practicing as a family nurse practitioner. In 2011, Krielow earned her doctorate of nurse practitioner from Texas Christian University. The newest member of the care team is Leslie Stelly, NP. Stelly graduated in 2015 from McNeese State University as a registered nurse and in 2020 with her master of science in nursing, earning her title of an advanced practice registered nurse–family nurse practitioner. Lake Charles Memorial Health System looks forward to continuing to provide for the healthcare needs of the residents of Welsh and surrounding communities. The Clinic of Welsh has joined the Lake Charles Memorial Health System family of clinics
lcmh.com 19 The Clinic of Welsh enjoyed their first National Hospital Week celebrations in May 2023 as part of the Memorial Family. They brought the week of events and activities to their clinic. Make an appointment The Clinic of Welsh is located at 708 E. Russell Ave., in Welsh. Clinic appointments can be made by calling 337-284-9629. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.) Friday, 7:30 a.m. to noon Leslie Stelly, NP Yvonne Krielow, DNP, FNP-BC
Did you know? You can get Lake Charles Memorial Health System news and more right in your inbox! Scan the QR code above to sign up for our email newsletter, or go to lcmh.com/newsletter. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 Lake Charles Memorial Hospital 1701 Oak Park Blvd. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Lake Charles Memorial Health System has been recognized among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation for Medical Excellence in Heart Attack Treatment. Lake Charles Memorial Health System’s Heart and Vascular Center is led by a team of experts, including Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgeon J. Gregory Lugo, MD; Interventional Cardiologists Ahmad Awan, MD, Edward C. Bergen, DO, Karl A. Duncan, MD, Kurt A. Duncan, MD, Christopher S. Thompson, MD, J. King White, MD, and Kevin R. Young, MD; and Cardiologist A. Clay Hammett, MD. With sought-after physician specialists and an experienced, compassionate staff, the cardiovascular health services offered at Lake Charles Memorial Health System cover the range of heart health needs, from diagnosis to treatment to rehabilitation. The 2023 quality awards are from CareChex® and are based on its comprehensive quality scoring system that compares inpatient quality performance across general, acute and non‑federal U.S. hospitals. CareChex Throughout the Lake Charles Memorial Health System, medical excellence is not a luxury—it’s the standard
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