Joe Plunkett, RN, CCRN at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) has been named nurse director of 3 North-the Medical/Surgical and Oncology floor and the Skilled Nursing Facility.

In another effort to recognize outstanding employees, Terrebonne General Medical Center’s Customer Service Council has implemented the Employee of the Month program.  This program recognizes employees that exemplify the kind of person patients, family members and fellow employees distinguish as role models. This employee shows dedication, outstanding work ethics, has as a positive attitude that is reflected in their day-to-day work and focuses on meeting both internal and external customer service goals. 

The January TGMC Employee of the Month is Dana Olivier, RN, from the Information Technology department. Dana has been part of the TGMC team for 20 years, working in various departments such as: Critical Care, Case Management and for the past 5 years in Information Technology. Dana stated, “ I am honored to be named the January TGMC Employee of the Month.  It is such a great feeling that my co-workers recognized all of my efforts.”

Terrebonne General Medical Center hosted a reception “ Honoring Your Nursing Achievement” for the December 2005 nursing school graduates from Nicholls State University and faculty at NSU. The recent graduates were given the opportunity to meet the administrative team, nurse directors and recent nursing graduates working at TGMC. Graduates in attendance were also provided with information on the nationally recognized healthcare facility and the hiring process.  Teresita McNabb, Vice President of Nursing Services at Terrebonne General stated, “We are always very excited to meet and talk with our future nursing staff.  We would like to congratulate these students on their accomplishment and encourage them to join our incredible team of clinicians at TGMC.”

FYI: Stroke “Smile Test/A Simple test for Stroke” email resurfaces with the subject line of  “3 Symptoms of Stroke” or “Stroke Identification”

This email chain has resurfaced with the addition of a personal story about a woman having an unrecognized stroke at a barbecue. The email then proceeds to list three simple ways to identify a stroke: Ask the individual to SMILE; Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS; Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. "A Simple Test for Stroke"

The Office of Continuing Education at Nicholls State University is offering a notary exam study course in February and March.

The non-credit class is designed to help participants prepare to take the Notarial Examination. It is also appropriate for citizens who wish to learn more about Louisiana law.

The IRS is encouraging employers to establish Hurricane Katrina Relief leave donation programs and is providing special tax treatment to support such programs. Under a leave donation program, employees can elect to forgo their vacation, sick or personal leave in exchange for the employer making cash payments to a qualified tax-exempt organization providing relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina

Leave-Donation Program http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=148114,00.html

Information provided by Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce
www.houmachamber.com

Morgan City – Radio Station KBZE 105.9FM has launched a pod-casting website, www.breezebytes.com, which will feature the best of KBZE 105.9FM’s local and sports programming, in downloadable mp3 formats.

“Our features include the keynote address delivered by Bishop Darryl S. Brister, at the 2006 Terrebonne Parish Chapter of the NAACP’s salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, along with the entire 2005 Southland Conference Championship Game, where the Nicholls Colonels clinched their first-ever Southland Conference win with a 39-26 victory over McNesse State

at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux,” Howard Castay said. He is president and general manager of KBZE.

Organizers with the event are currently promoting sponsorship levels, which ensure table seating and program recognition. They are as follows:

The Louisiana Division of Administration, State Grants Management Section, Nicholls Research and Sponsored Programs and the South Louisiana Economic Council are sponsoring a hands-on worskshop to assist Bayou Region organization learning the specific processes of writing a successful grant application.   The workshop is being held in response the need among area organizations to secure funding for the growing number of necessary iniatives following last year's storms.  The workshop will be directed by Ms. Rebecca Telford, Community Development Program Specialist, with Louisiana Division of Administration and Ms. Debi Benoit, Director - Research and Sponsored Programs, Nicholls State University and will include both instructional materials and hands-on grant research utilizing a Nicholls computer lab.  The workshop is free and open to the public however seating is limited and advanced registration is required.  The workshop will be from 8:30am until 4:00 pm on Tuesday, April 11 and is being held in Room 152, Besty Cheramie Ayo Hall at Nicholls State University. 

Seven Fletcher Technical Community College drafting students received notice of award winning submissions in the American Design and Drafting Association (ADDA) national contest. Of the thirteen submissions from the college, three participants received first place, two received second place, and two received third place awards. The competition drew over 160 submissions from high school and college students. The students are invited to attend the award ceremonies at the ADDA National Conference in Nashville, TN this May. The award winners are: First Place: Albert Lirette, Jr, in structural; Michael Seely, in civil; Danny Trosclair, in electronics; Second Place: Kyle Guillory, in technical illustration; Dyron Johnson, in structural; Third Place: Seth Aucoin, in structural; and Tony Cangelosi, in electronics.

LESSON PLANS BY NICHOLLS PROFESSOR ACCOMPANY VH1 PROGRAM

Dr. Kenneth Klaus of Nicholls State University recently answered the call from VH1 to add a little Dave Matthews to the mix in lesson plans for America’s high school students.

Klaus’ regular duties as a professor of music and director of choral activities include schooling the voices of choral students at Nicholls. His latest project, however, allowed him to branch out a bit. Klaus wrote a set of three lesson plans for the “Storytellers” series that airs on cable television’s VH1, in conjunction with MENC: The National Association for Music Education. Music teachers across the nation record the “Storytellers” program and use the accompanying lesson plans in their classes. The program on the Dave Matthews Band aired Feb. 7.

Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) recently incorporated a state-of-the-art telephone system into its communications network at the Houma location. The Tadiran Telephone system, installed by Alliance Communications, is the first fiber-optic digital voice circuit installed in Houma. This telephone system is based on military-spec design intended to keep the lines of communication open at all times. Besides being extremely efficient and dependable during the normal business day, this system will allow communication to continue in times of crisis, such as the aftermath of a hurricane.

The fiber-optic circuit is a direct connection to BellSouth; it has no electrical properties and is not vulnerable to electrical voltage loss, lengthy distances or exposure to water.

The Better Business Bureau is deeply grateful to the men and women of the armed forces.  While members of the military serve overseas protecting Americans, the BBB works on the home front to protect them against unsavory con artists.  Too often, military families fall victim to unethical businesses seeking to take advantage of their steady paycheck, the absence of a family member serving overseas or their unfamiliarity with a new community.

To better assist military families with a variety of consumer related issues, the BBB system has launched BBB MILITARY LINE.  Bureaus are partnering with the U.S. military to encourage service members and their families to use the programs and materials of the BBB system.  A special Web site at www.military.bbb.org  provides ready access to BBB services and scam alerts for all four major branches of the military.

A much anticipated Sam’s Club opened its doors to eager shoppers in Houma recently.

The mega discount store of Bentonville, Arkansas hosted a Grand Opening for store number 6521 at 2174 Martin Luther King Drive. Terrebonne Parish President Don Schwab along with several local council members said Houma’s newest merchant will give a giant boost to the local economy.

Welcoming local government officials and shoppers eager to save bundles were members of Vandebilt High School Band and the H. L. Bourgeois Choir.

It’s never too late to start your college career at Nicholls State University. New students ages 25 and older and all former students who attended Nicholls prior to fall 2005 are exempt from the university’s new admission requirements.

            “Adult students comprise one of our fastest-growing groups of students,” Courtney Cassard, director of enrollment services, said. “Earning a college degree as an adult has never been easier. Financial aid is available for many students and classes are available to fit a variety of schedules and formats, including evenings and online classes.”

Michael Lane Hawthorne, M.D., a Board Certified Pulmonary Medicine Specialist, was recently appointed to the active medical staff at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC).

Dr. Hawthorne received his medical training from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, LA where he also completed his residency and internship at Louisiana State University Medical Center.  He then completed a fellowship at Vanderbilt University School of Medical, where he studied and worked in the division of allergy, pulmonary and critical care medicine.

The road toward recovery in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishs just got easier to travel, thanks to Nissan North America’s generous donation of one of full-sized Titan trucks to Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity. The new truck will provide another valuable tool in the rebuilding effort.

“We are proud to represent Nissan and grateful for their donation to our affiliate…we are so blessed to have so many volunteers from all over helping families get into their new homes, “ said Jeanne Autin, Executive Director.  The truck donation is part of a larger gift to Habitat for Humanity International’s Operation Home Delivery program. Nissan is presenting 50 Titan trucks to Habitat and its affiliates in hurricane-affected areas. The retail value of the donation is more than $1 million

The healthcare industry is experiencing a critical blood shortage as a repercussion associated with the storms last year in southeast Louisiana. 

Blood and blood products are usually supplied to area hospitals by outside providers.  These providers are having trouble keeping up with the need for blood.  In our community, at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) blood is supplied by an internal blood donor center that is usually able to keep up with the blood supply needed to take care of its patients.  Currently, Terrebonne General Medical Center, like the other medical centers in the region, is experiencing a blood shortage and is in need of all types of blood, especially Types O Positive and O Negative blood. 

The ES&H Consulting and Training Group recently acquired office space in Houston, TX and plans to have a fully functioning Houston office by June 1, 2006. 

“Having an office in Houston has been at the top of our strategic planning; to actually witness it coming to fruition has been truly a blessing,” says Pat Bergeron, Vice President of Operations for ES&H Consulting and Training Group.  “We already service various companies in Houston through our corporate office in Louisiana, but actually having a local office for those customers to visit is going to be a great asset to them.”

The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center announces the arrival of a familiar face to its staff.  Lori Toups, formerly Lori Domingue, was hired as Marketing Coordinator for the Civic Center last week.  The Houma native was previously the main News Anchor and Reporter for the local TV station, HTV, since October 2003.  In that role, Toups was responsible for gathering, reporting, writing, producing, and broadcasting the daily newscasts to viewers in a four-parish area.

Since graduating from Nicholls State University with a Mass Communications degree in 1999, Toups has primarily worked in television news.  Before returning to Houma, she worked as a News Producer at ABC affiliates, KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and WGNO ABC 26 in New Orleans.

EARN COLLEGE CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW NICHOLLS PROGRAM

High school students graduating in 2007 can begin their university studies for a reduced price beginning this summer in the Nicholls State University dual enrollment program.

            To earn college credits while still in high school, students need to be on track to complete the TOPS core curriculum and have either a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, or a 20 composite score on the ACT test or rank in the top 50 percent of their class. Students must also meet prerequisites for the course or courses in which they wish to enroll. Courses can be taken in any format, including on campus and online, during the summer, fall or spring semesters.

The South Louisiana Economic Council and Coastal Commerce Bank welcome Dr. Loren Scott, Professor Emeritus of Economics at LSU, to the Bayou Region for his always insightful Bayou Region Economic Outlook.

Dr. Scott's presentation will provide insights into the ongoing affects of last year's storms, the impact of new oil discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico and an overall estimate of the economic health of our state and region.

The presentation will be held in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Bollinger Memorial Student Union on Thursday, October 12 at NSU. Doors open at 11:30 am with lunch served at 12 noon.Advanced Registration Is Required. Registrations can be made at www.slec.org

Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) is proud to announce the recertification of their Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services Program from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) National Certification Committee.

“Receiving this distinction signifies that our pulmonary rehab program met the criteria for AACVPR Program recertification,” explained Dr. Michael Hawthorne, medical director of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services at TGMC.   The recertification involved the committee reviewing all types of documentation from the program to ensure compliance with the national guidelines, explained Dr. Hawthorne. 

Dr. William Ladd, cardiologist and secretary/treasurer of Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS), was recently named as a Fellow in the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), an international society that is the preeminent voice and resource of nuclear cardiology and cardiovascular computed tomography.

THIBODAUX – Start the holiday season right with fine dining and music at the annual Nicholls State University Jubilee Christmas fundraiser from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The event serves as both a fundraiser for the spring Jubilee festival and an elegant way to relax and enjoy the arts before the stress of the holiday season, Angela Hammerli, Jubilee coordinator, said.

ACCREDITATION REAFFIRMED FOR NICHOLLS MASS COMMUNICATION

The national accreditation of the Nicholls State University Department of Mass Communication was reaffirmed recently by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications in St. Petersburg, Fla., during its annual meeting.

The council, which consists of representatives from a broad range of national and international associations, reaffirmed the department’s accreditation unanimously. The council acted upon the recommendation of its accrediting committee, which unanimously favored Nicholls reaccreditation when it met in Chicago in March.

The Houma Regional Arts Council will hold its 3^rd annual fundraiser, Hearts for Arts, an event to raise money to support the programs and operations of the Arts Council.

“The arts are a vital part of this area. Keeping them alive is an issue now more than ever. We are partially supported by money from the LA Division of the Arts and our local government but we need community support as well,” says Glenda Toups of the Arts Council. “We are a non-profit organization committed to promoting and providing cultural activities, through a partnership of public and private funding, which meets the needs of our individual communities.”

Local professional homebuilders are joining Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity to raise walls on 5 homes in Thibodaux and Houma area as part of the Habitat for Humanity Home Builders Blitz 2006 taking place during the week of June 5, 2006. Bayou Area Habitat is among more than 130 Habitat affiliates participating in building hundreds of homes in one week.

The Home Builders Blitz 2006 is one of the largest Habitat projects of its kind in the United States and gives many low-income families the opportunity to own their own home.  Habitat for Humanity International estimates that more than 400 homes will be completed from start to finish across the country.

Buquet Distributing Company of Houma has given a generous donation to the local chapter of the American Heart Association to place automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) into the Houma community, with the first placement occurring today at  City Court in Houma. 

About 335,000 people a year die of coronary heart disease without being hospitalized or admitted to an emergency room. That's about half of all deaths from CHD — more than 930 Americans each day. Most of these are sudden deaths caused by cardiac arrest. By having AEDs available in public places many more people will be saved from sudden cardiac arrest. Survival rates drop 10% for every minute that defibrillation is delayed.

Nicholls State University will host a seminar about financial aid opportunities at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 in the Cotillion Ballroom of Bollinger Memorial Student Union.

All prospective students and parents are invited to attend “Financial Aid and the College Experience,” a free program that describes the financial aid options at Nicholls, including how to apply and qualify for financial aid. Representatives from the Nicholls Office of Financial Aid will discuss scholarship opportunities, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the aid available through Louisiana’s Tuition Opportunity Program for Students, commonly known as TOPS.

Nurses at Terrebonne General Medical Center are being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.  This award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform everyday. Mark Barnes and his family founded the award in 1999, and Terrebonne General Medical Center joins 37-other medical facilities honoring their nurses with this special award.

The TGMC January recipient is Toni Armstrong, RN from the Oncology Department. As a part of the TGMC team for 11 years, Armstrong began working in the patient supply department and then became a nurse extern. She became an RN after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Nicholls State University.

“It is nice to feel appreciation from our patients. Oncology patients go through so much, and they are so appreciative of everything we do,” said Armstrong. “They make you feel good.” 

In attendance for the presentation were Armstrong’s family and co-workers, the TGMC Daisy Award committee, Teresita McNabb, TGMC Vice-President of Nursing Services and Linda Songy, TGMC Assistant Vice-President of Nursing Services.

This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation, whose overall goal is to help fight diseases of the immune system.  Additionally, DAISY has programs to help fund research to improve treatment and ultimately cure Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), contribute to bone marrow and blood drives and provide support for ITP patients and their families.

On Oct. 10, the candy department at TARC, Sweet Sensations, became a wholesaler to one of Houma’s largest supermarket chains, Cannata’s.  With this historical event for TARC, clients are able to learn skills in the community with the products they make and package on a daily basis.  We are truly excited and proud to be part of the Cannata’s family.

Pictured is of client, Debra Louviere.  She learned how to make and create our first display at Cannata’s. 

Authors unsure of the right route to take to become successfully published can discover the answers at LA Cajun Stuff in Southland Mall in Houma, LA on Saturday, March 3rd from 1-2 pm.

The Right Way to Get Published, a free workshop featuring Success Coach/Publishing Expert Carol Pierce, will focus on the many options available and the proper steps to follow.

          Thibodaux – J. Ray McDermott recently donated $7,000 to support the manufacturing engineering technology program at Nicholls State University and its students.

            Dr. George Watt, associate professor and director of the manufacturing engineering technology program, said $4,000 will be dedicated to student scholarships. The remaining $3,000 will be used for program expenses.

            “McDermott has been one of our industry partners from the beginning of the program. They were one of the businesses that initially requested the program and helped us to develop it. They’ve been very supportive throughout the entire process,” Watt said.

All incoming Nicholls State University freshmen and students residing on campus, including those in residence halls and La Maison du Bayou, are now required to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis according to state law.

Michelle Caruso, dean of Student Services, said Nicholls is waiting for additional guidelines from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to explain how the university should implement the new law. House Bill 768, which was signed this legislative session, requires the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit policies, including an implementation schedule, to the Board of Regents by Aug. 1.

The Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHFH) received a $70,000 contribution from Chevron Corporation to build the first home in South Lafourche for a Hurricane affected family.

Chevron – including its share of equity affiliates – is among the largest publicly traded integrated energy companies in the world in net proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. Chevron Corporation has a shorebase located in Leeville and hopes this contribution demonstrates the way in which the industry family is taking action to support the community.  Chevron employees have also stepped up by volunteering on Habitat’s construction site. Terry Autin, a Health, Environmental and Safety Representative for Chevron recruited several employees working on the Tahiti project out of Houston, Texas to volunteer on site as part of a team-building project.

L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College (FTCC) is proud to announce that its Drafting and Design Technology Program has received Accreditation from the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT). FTCC, nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE), is the first non-regionally institution in the nation to have one of its programs accredited by NAIT. This accreditation is effective starting from November 2006 and continues through October 2010.

Dr. Loren Scott, Professor Emeritus in Economics at Louisiana State University, will deliver his annual, Louisiana Economic Outlook report for 2006-2007 on Thursday, October 12 in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Bollinger Student Union at Nicholls State University.  The much anticipated economic forecast will address critical economic issues such as the impact on the economy Post-Katrina and Rita, jobs growth forecasts and the implications of new offshore oil discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico.  The first 200 attendees will receive a bound copy of the report for the Bayou Region and the State of Louisiana.

According to Vic Lafont, Executive Director of the South Louisiana Economic Council, “There is still a great deal of uncertainty about the affects of the storms on our economy.  Dr. Scott was the first to provide our area with some clarity on what we would be facing when he addressed our area in November of last year.  Now almost a year later, we have the benefit of Dr. Scott’s analysis of both the opportunities and the challenges we will be facing in the years ahead.”

Cost to attend is $25 per person for the presentation and luncheon.  Seating is limited and advanced registration is required.  Registration is available online at www.slec.org or by calling 985-448-4485. The event is sponsored by the South Louisiana Economic Council and Coastal Commerce Bank.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana –The Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus is now accepting nominations for the LLWC Women of Excellence Awards.  The Women’s Caucus created the award to recognize and honor the professional excellence, achievements and contributions of extraordinary women who personify excellence in their area of specialty, integrity, character, community service and professionalism.  Categories to which individuals may be nominated are:  Business, Education & Research, Health & Medicine, Law & Justice, Volunteerism & Civic Involvement and Young Woman of Excellence (ages 16 to 23). 

The Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) OutReach Center will host a free program on Women and Heart Disease Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the OutReach Center located in Southland Mall in recognition of American Heart Month.

Dr. Jody Stagg, Cardiologist with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, will give expert advice on identifying the early warning signs of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death among women. Heart disease killed almost 500,000 women in 2003; comparatively, all forms of cancer combined killed under 300,000.

Mary Miller, RN, MSN, has been named Vice President of Physician Services at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC).  Miller has been a valuable member of the TGMC team for over 21 years. She has served in numerous leadership positions that include Nurse Director of several nursing departments, and her most recent position as the Assistant Vice President of Nursing Services.

Miller earned a Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Louisiana Technical College, and Associate and Bachelor of Nursing degrees from Nicholls State University. She later received a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Phoenix.

The 2^nd annual Ladies Night Out Gala will be hosted by Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) on Friday, October 5, 2007.  Please join TGMC as we paint the town pink to encourage support and provide hope for a cure to breast cancer in our community.  The event will be held in the TGMC Women’s Center Patio beginning at 6:30 pm with beverages, heavy hors d’oeuves, and wide array of silent auction items.  The program will begin at 7:30 pm. 

Lou Estay, RN, Director of Surgical Services and Breast Cancer Survivor will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies and the keynote speaker will be Sally-Ann Roberts, WWL TV Morning News Anchor. 

Proceeds will be used towards a Women’s Boutique that will provide necessary items for women undergoing cancer treatment. 

Diane Yeates has been named Chief Operating Officer at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC).  Yeates has been a valuable member of the TGMC team for over 19 years. She has served in previous leadership capacities at the hospital which include Director of Budget and Reimbursement and Director of Patient Financial Services. Most recently, Yeates has served as TGMC’s Chief Financial Officer since 2002.

Yeates earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, and Master’s of Business Administration from Nicholls State University. She has also been a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 1987 through the state of Louisiana.

In her new role, Yeates will be responsible for growth initiatives of the organization, overseeing operational functions of the facility, and maintaining necessary relationships with the administrative team, board members, and physicians to assure high-quality operations.

Henry L. Coaxum Jr. owners of Coaxum Enterprises, Inc. lost three of his New Orleans area McDonald’s restaurants, an office complex and his own home to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The care, concern and innovation that Coaxum displayed in getting his employees back to work in the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, and his tireless devotion to the rebuilding of New Orleans’ business sector has earned him the 2008 Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery.

The award will be presented during the U.S. Small Business Adminstration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week 2008, to be held in Washington, D.C. and New York City April 21-25.

“The Phoenix Award is an acknowledgement of an individual’s heroic effort and a recognition of contributions to the physical and economic recovery of their communities, “said SBA Administrator Steve Preston. “Mr. Coaxum displayed tremendous courage and resourcefulness in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and he exemplifies the spirit one must have to rebuild after a tragedy like this.”