Dr. Gigi Shames

03/12/2025

In case you missed it! Our nat'l acupuncture org published this Dec 2024 https://www.nccaom.org/about-us/press/nccaom-newsletter-december-2024/

03/12/2025

04/14/2024

We’re incredibly grateful for the newest addition to the Ochsner Cancer Institute, the Rittenberg Family Food Pantry! This initiative, generously supported and founded by the Rittenberg family, aims to support oncology patients facing food insecurity during their cancer journey.

The Rittenberg Family Food Pantry will provide healthy, nutritious options without charge to those who need it most, helping to improve health outcomes and reduce costs for patients in need. If you are interested in joining the Rittenbergs and supporting the Rittenberg Family Food pantry, please visit https://ow.ly/G2Ii30sBxtO to make a gift!

04/13/2024

Congratulations to Lauren Yakelis, BSN, RN, on being named a finalist for CURE's 2024 Extraordinary Healer Award! Lauren manages the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Program at The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center, where she ensures quality care for patients. She goes above and beyond for her patients, exemplifying compassion and expertise. We are incredibly proud of you, Lauren!

04/12/2024

Jarrett LeBlanc, a cardiac sonographer at Ochsner Lafayette General and a passionate runner made headlines at the Zydeco Marathon last weekend.

He joined forces with JP from Camp Bon Coeur for an inspiring 5k run, highlighting JP's remarkable resilience despite his medical challenges. The next day, Jarrett claimed gold in the half marathon, setting a new course record with a time of 1:06.44! 🥇

04/12/2024

To mark Autism Awareness Month, the med-surg team at Ochsner West Bank decorated a bulletin board to promote support and awareness, with team members Nancy Phan and Alicia Boudreaux showcasing their dedication by wearing autism awareness shirts. Kenya Myles, RN, contributed by making autism awareness ribbons for the team's badges, fostering a spirit of solidarity. This initiative is significant for many team members with personal connections to the autistic community.

01/21/2024

It was so cool to see Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss of Team Kloth Nuss — the No. 2 beach volleyball team in the world — visit our pediatric hematology/oncology patients at Ochsner Health Center for Children – New Orleans and pediatric inpatients at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans! 😊⭐️

Taryn and Kristen met while playing volleyball at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2020 and quickly became partners, co-leading one another to undefeated wins and championships.

Currently, they’re in the process of qualifying to represent the United States in The Paris 2024 Olympics. ❤️🤍💙

Taryn is from South Dakota, and Kristen is a New Orleans native, but meeting at LSU solidified their bond in more ways than volleyball. Both Taryn and Kristen love New Orleans and look forward to giving back to their community any chance they get.

“This visit was indescribable,” Taryn said. “The strength and grit that these children show is unforgettable and very admirable.”

Our patients loved spending the morning with Taryn and Kristen and meeting (future) Olympians!

“These children are the definition of fighters, and their positivity throughout it all is something that is inspiring, to say the least,” Kristen said.

Thank you so much to Team TKN for spending your morning at Ochsner Children's and brightening our patients’ days!

We’re rooting for you both! 😊⭐️💙 Go for the gold!

Learn more about Team TKN here: https://ow.ly/SYnF30szfHw.

Learn more about Ochsner Children’s here: ow.ly/a6M530sz4xN.

01/20/2024

Excited about this year's lineup! 🎷

Did you know: Ochsner Health is the festival's official healthcare provider for the third year in a row!

01/19/2024

Please note: Blood supplies at local hospitals are critically low due to a nationwide shortage that has been worsened by severe weather and post-holiday drops in donations.

As a leading transplant center, Ochsner Health relies heavily on blood for complex surgeries.

Jennifer O'Brien, director of transfusion medicine at Ochsner Health, said a single patient can go through gallons of blood.

"I've seen one transplant that took over 100 units of blood," said O'Brien. Each donation is one unit.

Learn more about the Ochsner Blood Bank and make an appointment to donate blood today: https://ow.ly/ZQMh30szfHu

Read more about Louisiana's blood shortage: ow.ly/taSf30szfHb

01/19/2024

U.S. News & World Report named Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans — including our Baptist and West Bank campuses — the Best Hospital in Louisiana for the 11th consecutive year!

Couldn't be prouder to be a part of the team!

01/12/2024

Congrats to Ochsner Health on being named in the Top 25 for Healthcare Supply Chain by Gartner Healthcare Supply! 🎉

Top health systems in supply chain leadership are those embracing digital advancements and attracting and retaining talent. They often find innovative automation solutions, moving beyond resilience to antifragility.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/kxVp30sz0rW

01/11/2024

👩‍🏫📚💡 Ochsner’s Education Outreach Team is committed to increasing equitable access to high-quality learning and being a resource for the incredible K-12 educators across Louisiana.

This fall, 33 teachers from five parishes across Louisiana traveled to Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans for a transformative professional development experience. 🔬 The sessions focused on connecting classrooms to careers, creating inclusive learning spaces and how to start a science fair.

📖✨ All K-12 teachers who attended left with tailored lesson plans and student materials, aligning with state standards for each grade level and showcasing various healthcare careers. At the end of the professional development sessions, 100% of teachers felt more confident in demonstrating STEM skills and adding relevant healthcare career highlights to their curriculum, and 97% reported they plan to implement their grade-level career highlight lesson with their students before their schools dismiss for winter break. 📊🩺 Through grant funding, all teachers also received a $100 stipend, plus a gas stipend for those traveling over 20 miles.

A big THANK YOU to the amazing educators who dedicated their Saturday to bettering education with us! 💌 Interested in participating in teacher professional development with Ochsner’s Education Outreach team during our spring sessions? Email educationoutreach@ochsner.org for more info!