St. Bernard Parish Hospital

08/08/2025

Congratulations to Ray’Mon Lewis, a registered nurse at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, along with hospital nursing leaders, Renata Schexnaydre, associate vice president of nursing, and Leslie Thiele, supervisor, for being honored by the New Orleans City Council on August 7th, 2025, for their outstanding care for patients, especially through challenges that demanded nothing less than courage and dedication! 🌟

The honor was in response to Ray’Mon’s nursing journey of perseverance. After a life-changing accident left Ray’Mon paralyzed from the chest down, he refused to let adversity define his future. Instead, Ray'Mon pursued his dream and earning his nursing degree.

Ray'Mon’s compassion and determination encourage his peers, proving that strength and hope can guide us through even the toughest challenges. This recognition celebrates not only his remarkable achievements but also his leadership in redefining what’s possible.

Thank you, Ray’Mon, for reminding us all of the power of perseverance and the difference one person can make. 💙

08/08/2025

Coughing, fever or trouble breathing? It might be more than just a cold. Aastha Garg, MD, shares insights on what pneumonia is, its symptoms, causes and how to best protect yourself. 💙

Is it a cold or pneumonia? Learn the symptoms, causes and prevention tips on how to best protect yourself from the disease.

08/07/2025

Psychiatrist Peter Goertz, MD, has excellent, doable suggestions for reducing the stress in your life.

Exercise, laughter, healthy food, socialization and meditation are just some of the ways we can all reduce our stress levels.

08/07/2025

Dino Balliviero grew up just two streets from St. Bernard Parish Hospital—now, he’s come full circle, serving his community as a dedicated counselor. Passionate about helping others feel at ease on their mental health journey, Dino uses techniques like breathing exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy to equip patients with the tools they need to thrive

Any questions you have will be answered the same day—that’s our promise to you!

Schedule an appointment with Dino today: 504-826-9988

08/07/2025

New Orleans, you’ve blown us away! 🎉 We’re beyond thrilled to be named among the city’s best in the 2025 City Business reader rankings! 🏆

Here’s what you voted us No. 1 for:
✨ Top acute care hospital
✨ Top obstetrician and gynecologist
✨ Best health and fitness center – Ochsner Fitness Center

And there’s more! You also voted us:
💙 Best emergency room – Ochsner Medical Center
💙 Best cardiologist – Roland Bourgeois, MD
💙 Best physical therapist – Ochsner Therapy & Wellness
💙 Best diagnostic imaging center – Ochsner Imaging Center

These awards mean the world to us because they come from you, our amazing community. Thank you for trusting us to care for you every day.

08/07/2025

Symptoms of food allergies can include hives, flushed skin or rash and a tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth. While most reactions are mild, some can quickly become serious and lead to anaphylaxis.

Learn how to manage allergies safely and effectively for your family by reading more.

Any food, not just the nine listed on the major food allergen list, could potentially trigger an allergic response.

08/06/2025

Whether you’re an athlete or simply love staying active, ACL injuries can bring your routine to a halt. ⏸️ The good news? With the right strategies, many of these injuries are preventable.

Luke Bunch, PT, DPT, of Ochsner Therapy & Wellness at Elite Training Complex – Burbank, shares expert tips to help you protect your knees, reduce your risk of injury and keep doing what you love.

Learn the common causes of ACL tears and how proper movement, strength training and awareness can make all the difference. ✅

Discover how to prevent ACL injuries with expert tips on knee protection, movement and strength from the Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute.

08/05/2025

Quit smoking with the power of nutrition! Certified to***co treatment specialist Lindsey Casse shares how the right foods can curb cravings, boost your mood and make your smoke-free journey easier. 🍊🥦

Discover nutritional tips to ease ni****ne withdrawal, curb cravings and boost your mood while quitting smoking. Learn how the right foods can support your journey to a healthier, smoke-free life.

08/04/2025

08/04/2025

Worried about car sickness? Stephen Lewis, NP, shares his expert tips on how to prevent and manage motion sickness during your next road trip so you can focus on making core memories.

08/04/2025

As August and September mark the peak of hurricane season, now is the perfect time to plan ahead and make sure you’re prepared in case a storm develops in the Gulf.

From medications and first aid kits to communication plans and clean water, John Kunthara, MD, shares eight essential steps to help keep you and your family safe. https://ow.ly/Pgw450WyO8C

Don't wait until a hurricane is in the Gulf to start making preparations. Follow these expert recommendations so that you're ready.

08/04/2025

The St. Bernard Parish Hospital Café now offers Eat Fit Ochsner items on the menu! We’re thrilled to provide our guests with healthier options without compromising on taste.

Take a look at this week’s menu for delicious, nutritious and affordable choices!

Visit the Café for more details!

08/01/2025

More than 100 units of blood were donated July 26 during a special blood drive at Ochsner Fitness Center – Elmwood, held in honor of Charlotte L., a student at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans. The incredible turnout showcases the strength of community and the profound impact one young girl's story can inspire.

Organized by a passionate group of Sacred Heart moms, including our own Tracey Schiro, the event united people in a truly meaningful way. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the Ochsner Blood Bank and the Elmwood Fitness Center team for their exceptional support and care for every donor.

Your generosity will save lives. 🩸

Carry the kindness forward. Visit https://ow.ly/jVWb50WyUWZ to schedule your donation.

08/01/2025

It is not known exactly what causes most bladder cancers, but there are risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop it.

Learn more about bladder cancer risk factors, symptoms and treatment options, including what happens when your bladder is removed, in this blog post from Ochsner MD Anderson oncologist Brian Halbert, MD: https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/bladder-cancer-symptoms-risk-factors-and-treatment-options-6-things-to-know/

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Learn more about bladder cancer risk factors and treatment options.

08/01/2025

Chronic pain doesn’t have to control your life.

Discover how interventional pain management at St. Bernard Parish Hospital can provide targeted relief, helping you move more freely, heal effectively and live a better life.

Whether you're exploring options for chronic pain or wondering about techniques like acupuncture or steroid injections, Ochsner has you covered.

07/31/2025

Roll Up Your Sleeves and Save a Life!

Join us for the St. Bernard Parish Hospital Blood Drive this coming Tuesday, August 5, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Your donation can make a life-saving difference in our community.

Bonus: All donors will receive a voucher for a pint of Blue Bell ice cream!

07/30/2025

Expecting a little one this hurricane season?

Be prepared, not panicked. Learn essential tips like packing your prenatal records and medications, planning alternate birthing locations, assembling a baby kit (breast pump included!) and recognizing signs of preterm labor—everything you need to keep you and your baby safe no matter the storm.

Hurricane season is starting, and for pregnant women, it’s important to take extra steps to ensure everything goes smoothly, whether you are evacuating or staying.

07/29/2025

Hungry for answers? Your genes might influence food allergies, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle.

Discover how genetics and the environment work together, what it means for your family and how early exposure might help protect your little ones from food allergies.

Studies suggest there may be a genetic predisposition to the development of food allergies, but the science in this area is still evolving.

07/24/2025

Feeling unwell but can’t make it to the doctor’s office? Thanks to telehealth and virtual visits, getting medical care has never been easier—these options have grown dramatically over the past five years.

Whether you’re at home, at work, or on the move, telehealth provides quick and convenient access to trusted care. See how virtual visits can save you time, ease stress and help you stay on top of your health.

Explore the top six facts about telehealth and how it's reshaping patient care experiences for a healthier future.

07/22/2025

After spending a few years away from the parish, Kristi LeBlanc was excited to return to caring for the St. Bernard community. As a devoted pediatric nurse practitioner, she finds true joy in watching children grow and achieve milestones they once thought was out of reach. Kristi believes there's no such thing as a silly question and strives to make every patient—regardless of age—feel welcome, heard and supported on their journey to better health.

Schedule an appointment by calling 504-826-9988.

07/18/2025

At St. Bernard Parish Hospital, your care is our top priority—and that commitment is clearly reflected in the dedication and expertise of Mary Lubrano and Chandu Ippagunta. Their work sets the standard for the high-quality care we strive to provide every day.

As the Director of Quality and the leader of Quality Management in the Infection Control Department, Mary Lubrano and Chandu Ippagunta work tirelessly to maintain a safe, clean and healthy environment throughout our hospital. Thanks to their dedication, our community hospital has earned national recognition for excellence in safety and cleanliness.

Learn more about these talented, committed healthcare professionals.