dean’s corner: a message from dr. nelson · 2021. 6. 15. · the covid biorepository is a...

2 LSU Medicinews Fall ’20www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/alumni_affairs

Dean’s Corner: A Message from Dr. Nelson

The last several months have been unprecedented in the school’s history. We havetransformed our educational programs, adapted to new models of outpatient care, and shifted institutional policies to keep everyone safe. Our education leaders, teachers,GME leaders and all of their support staff have demonstrated remarkable dedication to the missions of our school. Researchers have quickly seized the moment to designprotocols with experimental medications and convalescent serum, to develop tests, tostudy COVID pathology and to learn about its pathogenesis. They all deserve ourthanks.

No one deserves more admiration and gratitude, however, than the clinicians whoserved on the front lines of patient care in our partnering hospitals. These physiciansput themselves and their families in harm’s way to provide exemplary care for ourpatients. I cannot thank all of them personally by name, so I apologize in advance for

those who are not included here.

Dr. Mason, Dr. DeBoisblanc, Dr. Janz and many others in the section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicinemanaged the ICUs at UMC, Kenner, Baptist, and New Orleans East at a time when new ICU beds were opening daily. Our doctors had some of the best ICU outcomes in the region. Dr. Hunt and the Trauma Divisionconverted the trauma ICU into a medical ICU and took care of COVID patients in addition to their traumapatients who moved to the PACU. Dr. Brierre and the pulmonary team in Baton Rouge took care of largenumbers of critically ill patients at OLOL and Baton Rouge General. Faculty in the Department ofAnesthesiology created a code/intubation team at UMC and they helped staff the ICU in Kenner. Drs. Amoss,Modica, and Nunez at Touro, Drs. Masri, McCarron and the hospitalists at Kenner admitted large numbers ofCOVID patients to their inpatient services every day. Led by Drs. Guillory and Engel, hospitalists at UMC suchas Drs. Walvekar, Sanders, Imsais and others created new teams to care for the daily influx of COVID patients.Our internists and hospitalists in Baton Rouge and Lafayette also created special teams as the number of patientswith COVID grew at their hospitals. Dr. Hull, Dr. Figueroa and others in the section of Infectious Diseases sawCOVID patients in consultation at UMC, and throughout the city. Dr. Campbell, Dr. Russo and other familymedicine faculty in Kenner, Bogalusa, Lafayette and Lake Charles cared for COVID patients in the hospital andclinics. Our Emergency Medicine doctors were on the front lines of patient care and testing every day. OurOB/GYN faculty cared for infected mothers and their newborn children. Drs. Maffei, Sells, and O’Neal servedtirelessly as the Infection Control officers at UMC, UHC, and OLOL. Drs. Clement, Benani, and Lawickideveloped treatment protocols. Dr. Gordon Love worked diligently to establish several different testing platforms at UMC, and he helped establish testing capabilities at Tulane as well. Dr. Vander Heide and Dr. Fox wereamong the first pathologists in the U.S. to conduct autopsies on COVID patients in the state of the art morgueat UMC. They have already begun to publish their seminal findings. Residents from all of these services also putthemselves in harm’s way to care for COVID patients. Some programs, notably Med/Peds, Oral Surgery,Emergency Medicine, Vascular Surgery, and Anesthesiology, reassigned residents to new teams for COVIDpatients in the ICUs. The sheer magnitude of our response to the COVID crisis was remarkable. Theirselflessness has been humbling. In Camus’ The Plague, Dr. Bernard Rieux relentlessly cared for his sick and dying patients. He concluded that the only ways we can fight a plague are with human decency and by just doing ourjob. Our physicians combined their exceptional medical skill with humanism and decency. They put themselves at risk every day and did their job.

We do not know what the next 12 months will bring. What we do know is that our doctors will meet whateverchallenges we face. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Steve Nelson, MD, CM, FCCP, FACPDean, LSU School of Medicine-New Orleans

LSU Medicinews Fall ’20 3www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/alumni_affairs

Articles2 Dean’s Corner: A Message from Dr. Nelson

4 Coronavirus Relief Effort

5 Please join us in thanking Dr. McClugage

National search for the LSU Health New Orleans CancerCenter Director

6 Match Day congratulations in Pediatrics

Ongoing coronavirus work...

7 With a sharp knife and a soft touch

8 LAMMICO Scholarship recipient

9 Tiger Cubs

12 When Corona Comes Knocking, by Jay Kaplan, MD

Regular Features13 Tigerlines

14 Deceased

15 From Your Alumni Office

Fall 2020Volume 37, No. 2

LSU Medicinews Staff

Executive EditorCathi Fontenot (’84)

EditorVirginia Howard

Staff WritersJo Ann RoloffCarmen Barreto

PhotographyRusty CowartDaryl LofasoKatherine Diodene

Address all correspondence to:LSU Medical Alumni Association2020 Gravier, Room 523New Orleans, LA 70112(504) 568-4009/e-mail: [email protected]

LSU Medicinews, which is published twice a year, ispaid for entirely by your Alumni Association dues.© 2020 by LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans.Website: www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/alumni_affairs.

Dr. SamuelMcClugageretiring as Head of Cell Biologyand Anatomy.

See page 5.

LAMMICO ScholarshipWinner, JantzenCollette. See page 8.

To improve and expedite information exchange, the Office of Alumni Affairs is developing a list serve for alumni who prefer electronic communications in addition to our regular mailed publications. If you would like to be includedon our electronic list, please send your email address to: [email protected].

AcknowledgingMatch Day,

Pediatrics style

See page 6.

How the SECURE and CARES Act Legislation benefits you in 2020

SAVE THE DATE: Charitable Gift WebinarWednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at 11:00 am

presented by Carole Cukell Neff, Sessions, Fishman, Nathan, & Israel, LLC,and Lawrence M. Lehmann, Lehmann, Norman & Marcus, LLC

Coronavirus Relief EffortThe SARS-CoV-2, also known as Coronavirus, pandemic has dramatically altered life for our neighbors, students, faculty, andpatients of the Greater New Orleans community. The LSU Health Foundation New Orleans introduces the Coronavirus Relief Effort to support the various current and long-term LSU Health initiatives related to SARS-CoV-2.

The LSU Health Foundation has identified the most critical campus initiatives in need of support now more than ever.Traditional funding sources can be slow, and accelerating the financial support for this pandemic is crucial. Funds raised fromthis campaign will support the following initiatives:

Support InnovativeCOVID -19 Research

Research Infectious Diseases Fund

Paul Fidel, PhD, and Michael Hagensee,MD, are leading the charge to securefunding to study the administration ofan unrelated live attenuated vaccine, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) andhow it could serve as a preventivemeasure against the worst conditions ofcoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).There is mounting evidence that liveattenuated vaccines may protect againstsubsequent lethal infections, such asprogressive lung inflammation andeventual sepsis. A clinical trial withMMR in high-risk populations mayserve as a “low-risk/high-reward”preventive measure in saving lives during this unprecedented COVID-19pandemic. Support this research here:https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/infectiousdisease.

LEAD COVID-19 Trial

LSU Health New Orleans LEADCOVID-19 Trial tests if aspirin andvitamin D can spearhead our fightagainst COVID-19. This gold-standardtrial will enroll 1,080 patients acrossseven participating hospitals around thecountry. While trials like these requirefunding, traditional funding sources areslow. During this pandemic, which hasdamaged our economy, speed is crucial.Support this research here:https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/leadcovid.

COVID Research Lab

The COVID Biorepository is acentralized resource that collects andprovides biospecimens from COVID-19

patients and uninfected control samples.Those biosamples will include plasma,serum, peripheral blood mononuclearcells, nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, saliva, and stool samples. TheCOVID-19 biorepository functionsunder standard operating procedures(SOPs), quality control for samplecollection, and a database to trackconsent, the samples, and requests todispense biological samples and data.Support this research here:https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/COVIDLab.

Support our Communitywith Mental HealthCounseling

Recovery & Community Resilience Fund

Disasters such as pandemics worsenmental health and increase substanceabuse in affected communities. Researchhas shown that traumatic eventsexacerbate mental health problems likedepression, anxiety, PTSD, andsubstance abuse disorders. BenjaminSpringgate, MD, serves as the Chief ofCommunity and Population Medicine in the Department of Medicine andDirector of the Center for HealthcareValue and Equity at the LSU HealthSciences Center. Dr. Springgate believesthat the coronavirus pandemic represents not only a public health crisis but alsogives rise to a mental health crisis andthat evidence-based solutions need totarget both. Furthermore, just asimportant as treatment for the individual in need is, bolstering the resilience ofindividuals and communities to ensurethat people can adapt and bounce backwhen faced with future stressors ordisasters is critical. Support communityand mental health counseling here:

https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/wellness.

Mental Health Support Hotline Fund

The LSU Health Department ofPsychiatry provides essential training and treatment services through rural andurban parishes and responds to criticalneeds of the state following catastrophicevents. First responders are the backbone of rescue and recovery from these events. Firefighters, EMTs, and law officersprotect the general public often at agrave personal cost. The Mental HealthSupport Hotline will provide firstresponders and other crisis supportpersonnel with helpful counseling andbehavioral health professionalinterventions. The Department ofPsychiatry developed a significantresponse to address the impact ofCOVID-19 on multiple aspects of thebehavioral health of our communities inLouisiana. Support the mental healthhotline here:https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/hotline.

Support LSU HealthProfessionals and Studentson the Front Line

LSU Health Resident Wellness Fund

Hundreds of LSU Health professionalshave been on the front lines of healthcare since the outbreak of COVID-19 inLouisiana. Resident physicians havetraded their regular 80-hour weeklearning environment for a life ofuncertainty but guaranteed to includeever-changing rotations, timelines, andguidelines in the presence of anadvancing and unpredictable infectiousdisease unknown even to experts. Tohelp these taxed residents, a group of



medical health professionals callingthemselves the NOLA Doc Project isfundraising to cover the cost of meals tofeed them. Feed LSU Health residentshere:https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/residents.

LSU Health School of Medicine StudentEmergency Fund

The LSU Health New Orleans’ Schoolof Medicine Parent’s Council strengthens LSU Health’s commitment tocommunity outreach programs thatdiversify, provide, and enhanceeducational and service opportunities oncampus as well as the quality of life forstudents. The council works closely withthe LSU Health Foundation, NewOrleans, to raise critical funding insupport of medical students. As part ofits mission to provide a supportiveenvironment for learners, the councilalso offers emergency funding formedical students, which is needed nowmore than ever. The School of MedicineStudent Emergency Fund assists students with financial hardships associated withthe coronavirus pandemic and otherunforeseen circumstances. Support thestudent emergency fund here:https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/somparentscouncil.

Support the Manufacture of Critical PPE

Dental Innovation & Technology Fund

Guided by his compassion forCOVID-19 front-line healthcareworkers, 14 of whom are LSU School of Dentistry residents, Dr. Robert Laughlin collaborated with Dr. Karen Bruggers to produce a reusable and easy-to-cleanN95 mask. The team created the crucialPPE using the school’s innovative 3-Dprinter. These masks comprise a complex polymer and a filter that prevents thetransmission of 99.99% of bacteria andviruses. The team is also able to printreusable visors of the same polymers that are easy to disinfect and provide a barrier against aerosol and respiratory droplets.Support the manufacture of critical PPEhere:https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/innovation

National search underway—LSU Health Sciences Center NewOrleans and LCMC Health have commenced a national search for the LSUHealth New Orleans Cancer Center Director. Appointment of a strong,experienced Director is the first step in preparing to apply for NCIDesignation, a designation which will move us closer to the common goalof preventing or curing cancer for patients in our state regardless of theirmeans and diagnosis.

The overarching charge of the Cancer Center Director will be to create apremier cancer care service line supported by nationally recognized research programs that qualify for NCI designation. Consistent with NCI guidelines and best practice, the Director will also be responsible for communityoutreach and engagement, cancer research education, and faculty leadership related to cancer fund-raising, marketing and communications, andgovernmental and civic relations.

This search underscores the strong commitment of both LCMC Health and LSU Health New Orleans to build programs that will improve the lives ofour community and patients.

Please join us in thanking Dr. McClugageAfter many years of distinguished service to the School of Medicine and the HealthSciences Center, Dr. Samuel McClugage, Department Head for Cell Biology andAnatomy and Associate Dean for Admissions, will stepdown from these important leadership positions. Dr.DiCarlo and I extend our personal thanks, and those ofthe entire LSUHSC community for his years ofdedication to the core missions of the school. He willremain on the faculty as Professor of Cell Biology andAnatomy and assist with the transitions in bothoffices. Dr. Carmen Canavier has agreed to serve asInterim Department Head for Cell Biology andAnatomy. Dr. Robert Eubanks will continue in his roleas Chair of the Admissions Committee and serve as theInterim Director of Admissions while we conduct aninternal search for a new Associate Dean. We arethankful that they both agreed to serve in theseimportant positions during a time of transition.

Dr. McClugage joined the faculty in 1971. He has beenan outstanding teacher to countless numbers of medical and dental students. He isan accomplished scientist and an excellent mentor to many junior faculty. He waspromoted to Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy in 1993 and he becameDepartment Head in 2007. In 1996 he became the Assistant Dean of Admissions,and he was appointed as the Associate Dean for Admissions in 2000, serving in that role for 20 years. He has admirably led numerous other committees and initiatives.Notably, he chaired the curriculum committee for many years and he chaired thesearch that brought Dr. Hollier back to the campus as Dean in 2004.

We are deeply grateful that Dr. McClugage has worked at LSU for his entirecareer. He has shared his wisdom, warmth, and humor with many students, faculty, and leaders. We look forward to working with him on the successful transitions ofleadership in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy and in the AdmissionsOffice. Please join us in thanking him for giving us so many years of leadership,service and friendship.

Steve Nelson, MDDean

Dr. McClugage

Match Day Congratulations in Pediatrics


Pediatric department faculty, staff, and residents came up with a number ofcreative ways to congratulate their new pediatrics, medicine/pediatrics,pediatrics/emergency medicine and child neurology residency programs for

successfully matching for the 2020-2021 academic year.

With Match Day celebrations canceled, Pediatrics Program Director ChelseySandlin (’09) and her chief residents, Monica Hajirawala and Jordan Lim, created a video of residents and faculty welcoming the Class of 2023. Watch it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE4ML_6GDBU&feature=youtu.be

Dr. Sandlin decided to bring the party to her local matched applicants, at a safedistance of course! She delivered bags of goodies including the department’s newLSU Peds t-shirt and a water bottle from Children’s Hospital Office of MedicalEducation.

LSUHSC-NOstudent Jesse Corencouldn’t wait to wearhis purple and gold.

The residents figured out a way to hold their annual celebration to welcome their new class with a virtual karaoke night

Ongoing coronavirus work...When N95 maskswere in short supply,LSU/UMC obtained reusable full-facemasks by 3M for ourCovid-19 intubation teams. Dr. BrettArron, AssociateProfessor of ClinicalAnesthesiology,demonstrates the 3M full-face mask. Photo submitted by Dr.Arron.

First samples of convalescent serum provided by JeffersonParish Sheriff’s Officedeputies are processed by(from left to right)Matthew Dean (post-doc),Phaethon Philbrook,MD/PhD student; andDorota Wyczechowska,PhD, director ofimmunology core.Submitted by Dr. AugustoOchoa, Director, Stanley S.Scott Cancer Center.

With a sharp knife and a soft touch:Cutting out Women’s Cancer in Louisiana

When a woman is diagnosed with agynecologic cancer, it is a deeplypersonal experience. She deserves thebest treatment available and to havethose treatment options tailored to herunique goals. At LSU Health in NewOrleans, we believe that the women ofLouisiana deserve the very best. Weknow that when a woman is diagnosedwith a cancer of the gynecologic tract,their chance of cure is maximized whenthey have been evaluated by agynecologic oncologist. We also knowthat it is vital too that these women areseen by a gynecologic oncologist in atimely fashion. Partnering with LCMC,LSU has answered the call and expanded their gynecologic cancer service line.

As of this fall, there will be threefellowship trained gynecologiconcologists working with LSU Health in New Orleans. Drs. Jernigan, Nair andCastellano are all experts incomprehensive gynecologic cancer careand are passionate about bringingworld-class gynecologic cancer care to all of the women of South Louisiana andbeyond. As active clinician scientists andleaders in the gynecologic oncologycommunity, they’re pushing theenvelope and raising the bar for women’s cancer care in South Louisiana.

We have built a gynecologic cancerservice line based on excellence and ourmission is to make our services availableto the women of our region. We hope to tackle barriers to care that many womenin South Louisiana experience and toserve as a resource for the physicians and healthcare providers who care for them.It is our great privilege to get to be onyour team.

LSU New OrleansGynecologic Oncologists

Amelia Jernigan, MD – DivisionDirector

Dr. Jernigan joined LSU New Orleansin September of 2016. She fell in lovewith Louisiana in college and it was

always her dream to return.She attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia beforecompleting her residency inObstetrics and Gynecologyat Johns Hopkins Hospitaland Fellowship inGynecologic Oncology atthe Cleveland Clinic. She is an active national leader and avid researcher. She isenthusiastic about engagingtrainees in research andbringing cutting edgetherapies to the women ofour region, such asHyperthermicIntraperitonealChemotherapy (HIPEC)and immunotherapy. It has been one ofher greatest pleasures to see theexpansion and elevation of gynecologiccancer services that we’ve been able tooffer the women of the region; she’sgrateful to LSU Health New Orleansand our clinical partners for their sharedvision and support.

Navya Nair, MD, MPH

Dr. Nair was raised in New Orleans andwas passionate about returning to helpimprove the quality of care women withgynecologic cancers receive. Sheattended medical school at New YorkUniversity before completing residencyin Obstetrics and Gynecology at EmoryUniversity and Fellowship inGynecologic Oncology at Mount Sinai in New York. Since joining us inSeptember of 2018, she has beeninstrumental in developing the academicrigor of our program – designing astate-of-the-art gynecologic oncologytumor board and initiating amulti-institutional gynecologic oncologyjournal club that keeps the localgynecologic oncology communityinformed and helps teach learners how to properly read and interpret clinicalresearch papers. She’s a national andinternational leader – serving oncommittees with the Society for

Gynecologic Oncology, the NationalResearch Group and was recentlyawarded a prestigious fellowship withthe International Journal of GynecologicOncology.

Tara Castellano (’13)

Dr. Castellano is a New Orleans,Louisiana native. She attended medicalschool at LSU in New Orleans and hadalways hoped to return home. Shecompleted her residency in Obstetricsand Gynecology at UNC Chapel Hilland fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at University of Oklahoma. She’s had arich and productive career to date andwe are very excited for her to join ourteam.

Unique Services Offered

· Our gynecologic oncologists are expert robotic andlaparoscopic surgeons and arepassionate about the benefitsof advanced minimallyinvasive surgery.

· We administer chemotherapyand systemic therapies (suchas immunotherapy, targetedtherapy, hormonal therapy)for women with gynecologic


Continued on page 8

cancers. Medicine is becomingincreasingly complex and canbe difficult to stay up-to-dateon all of the newestdevelopments. As experts inour specific field, we can make sure that no stone is leftunturned and that patientshave access to the latest, mostcutting-edge therapies.

· Instilling heated chemotherapyinto the abdominal cavity,known as HyperthermicIntraperitonealChemotherapy (HIPEC) atthe time of cytoreductivesurgery for ovarian cancer hasbeen shown to prolongsurvival. This cutting edge,complex procedure requiresthe mobilization of amultidisciplinary team andresources; the first HIPECprocedure for ovarian cancerwas performed by our team inNew Orleans.

· We have grown our clinicaltrials program and now offermore options for women withgynecologic cancers than anyother group in the state.Access to these trials isimportant because womenwho participate on clinicaltrials have been shown to have superior outcomes andbecause it allows for access tonew, exciting therapies that are not available off trial.

· Local leadership and academic rigor improves the landscapefor women with gynecologiccancer in Louisiana. Ourmultidisciplinary gynecologictumor board ensures thatwomen throughout our statereceive well thought out,evidence-based treatmentrecommendations. Both ourtumor board and our regionalgynecologic oncology journalclub push providers in theregion to thoughtful processemerging data and train thenext generation of healthcareproviders. We collaborate with other teams in our region inscientific investigation.

· Navigating genetics counseling and testing for cancer patients and at-risk patients isincreasingly complex. We have a process for sending tumorand patient samples forgenetics evaluation. We alsowork closely with a certifiedgenetics counselor which canbe indispensable in complexcases.

· The Shared Telehealth throughMultidisciplinary GynecologicCancer Survivorship (STEELMAGNOLIAS) program is anovel model for gynecologiconcology care delivery thatallows us to partner withphysicians who serve womenin more remote parts of thestate who cannot travel tophysically see us. We use a

virtual health platform toremain engaged in cancer caresurvivorship of these womenand support the referringproviders.

Clinic locations

Metairie Multispecialty Clinic3601 Houma Boulevard, Suite 203Metairie, Louisiana 70006Phone: 504-412-1650Fax: 504-412-1660

University Medical Center, NewOrleans2000 Canal StreetNew Orleans, Louisiana 70112Phone: 504-702-3311Fax: 504-702-5739

West Jefferson Cancer Center1101 Medical Center BoulevardMarrero, Louisiana 70072Phone: 504-349-6360Fax: 504-349-6363

St. Charles Clinic3700 St Charles AvenueNew Orleans, Louisiana 70115Phone: 504-412-1520Fax: 504-412-1534

Do you want more information?Please visit our website for moreinformation about our program.https://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/obgyn/oncology/

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Continued from page 7

LAMMICOScholarship Recipient

Jantzen Collette (shown in photograph) has beennamed the recipient of the LAMMICOScholarship this year. He is a 4th year medicalstudent from Breaux Bridge.

Since 2000, LAMMICO has presented thismerit-based award to solidify their commitmentto the future physicians of Louisiana.

The School of Medicine is thankful toLAMMICO for their steadfast support of ourmedical students.

Tiger Cubs


THE FORETS, UNMASKED (below), left to right: cousin Gerald Lee Foret III (’15), grandfatherGerald L. Foret, Sr. (’61), Ashley Foret (Cub) and father Christopher Foret (’94). [not pictured:uncle Gerald L. Foret, Jr. (’85)]

Ashley Clement (Cub) and Richard J.Clement (’00)

Christopher Lee Ingram (’90) and EllenIngram (Cub)

Christina Erwin, Madeline Erwin (Cub) and Kevin G. Erwin (’94).Granddaughter of the late William J. Erwin (’57) [not pictured: uncle William A. Erwin (’88)]

The Clements(above), on asuccessful fishing expedition

Tiger Cubs


Kathy L. Chauvin (’93), Bradley Chauvin (Cub) and Bradley J. Chauvin, Sr.

Danella Halle, Samuel Halle (Cub) and Michael B. Halle (’89)

Benjamin Creel (Cub) and Terry G. Creel (’85). [not pictured: Callender R. Creel (’19)]

Robert Mipro III (Cub) and Robert C. Mipro, Jr.(’90)

Ardenne Martin (Cub) and Pamela Canale Martin(’79). [not pictured: Hope Martin Retif (L3) andBrandon Retif (’14) ]

Tiger Cubs


Keith P. Melancon (’91), Drew Melancon (Cub) and Susan Melancon

Kathryn Barham, William Barham (Cub) and Wilson T. Barham (’90)

Eva Mace (Cub) and James E. Mace (’85)

Mark S. Forshag (’85), Margaret Forshag (cub) and C. AnnForshag (’85)

’54Robert J. Cangelosi, New Orleans –“Still practicing ophthalmology 62years with son, Glen Cangelosi (’81)in Gentilly.”

Alvin Friedland, Livingston, NJ – “Imade 98 years old this summer. Stillgrateful and fortunate.”

’56James W. Jackson, Thibodaux, LA –“Wake up all you old people in theClass of 1956 – Come to the reunionnext year!!!!”

Charles Reinninger, Eunice, LA –“Granddaughter finished medicalschool in June. Proud of her!”

’62James R. Bergeron, Shreveport, LA – “Still practicing Dermatology 51 yearsand will continue to do so as long asGod allows me.”

’63Fran Hagaman, Tyler, Texas – “Misshaving fellow MDs to chat with,otherwise retirement is ok. Keep upwith LSU via internet and socialmedia.”

’66Duane J. Williams, Greenville, AL –“I am still in full-time practice inPediatrics and still love it.”

’67Charles Fontenot, Ville Platte, LA –“Retired after 50 years of familypractice in Ville Platte, and serving 35years as Coroner of Evangeline Parish.Now enjoying retirement raising deer,farming and banking.”

Samuel M. Richardson, Columbia,TN – “I am still practicing medicinepart-time. Doing alcohol & drug

rehab. Volunteer at half way house.Went on mission trip to Honduras.”

James T. Evans, Bluffton, SC –“Celebrated five years atBluffton-Jasper County Volunteers inMedicine, one of America’s free clinicsserving the uninsured. Now dotelehealth visits, use EHR ande-prescribe. What a great life I havehad in Medicine. Would do it again!!”

’68Thaddeus Carter, Pass Christian, MS– Retired, still living in Pass Christian,Mississippi.

Sharon G. Daspit, Decatur, GA –“Enjoying retirement in the Atlantaarea with my son Clayton, his wifeLaura, daughter Shannon, and herthree girls. I visit Denver as often aspossible to see my son Corey, his wifeMarisa and their four children.”

Charles A. Olivier, Lafayette, LA –“Enjoying retirement but notCovid-19 restrictions.”

’69James Frederick Cardwell,Prairieville, LA – “Practiced Ob/Gynin Raceland for 40 years then retired.Volunteered for 4 years as clinicalinstructor for LSU residents andstudents at Woman’s Hospital LSUResidency Program in Baton Rougeand retired again.”

Doris K. Medlin, Conroe, TX –“Better late than never news: It wasnot an option in 1959 but onNovember 25, 2019 (my birthday), Imarried my first love/soulmate,Barbara Johnson! At 79, we quitepossibly became the oldest andhappiest newlyweds in Texas!”

’70Parker Griffith, Huntsville, AL –“Tom Griffith (’66) and I are well.Robert Len Baird (’70) still withAlzheimer, going on 9th year.”

’71Bruce Gordon, Sacramento, CA –“Still practicing emergency medicine at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento,and enjoying working with my sonNathaniel (’10) (criticalcare/pulmonary.) However, currently“settling in place” until safer toreturn.”

Bennie Nobles, Kenner, LA –“Praying for safety during thispandemic and for peace. I was soencouraged by Chancellor LarryHollier’s (’68) letter of hope andencouragement, through prayer foreveryone at this time. I’m reminded ofthe words of Solomon (Proverbs3:5-7) to trust in the LORD!”

’75Alfred Mansour, Alexandria, LA – “Iam still in practice in Alexandria.Maryetta and I have downsized. Wehave 8 grandchildren and number 9 on the way. Three of our kids are inHouston and one in New Orleans. Alldoing well. We feel very blessed. Our45th year reunion was postponed tonext summer.”

’78Mickey J. Viator, Manvel, TX –Currently working in occupationalmedicine at All American Screeningand Medical in Deer Park, Texas.

’79Andy Olinde, Baton Rouge, LA –Presently Chief Medical Officer BatonRouge General Medical Center.

’80Henry Davis, Fairhope, AL – Retiredfrom Eastern Shore Family Practice inDaphne, AL in 2016. Still workinglocum tenens in community health inSeattle area and Eugene, OR, and now at Franklin Primary Health in Foley,AL.



’81Eric Bloomfield, Rochester, MN – “Iam still in practice at the Mayo Clinicin Rochester, Minnesota. Planning amove to St. Augustine, Florida by2022. Then I will revert to part-time.”

Wayne Pharo, Thibodaux, LA – “This is in honor of Bobbie Millet, whohelped us get by during our 1st year ofmedical school!! I will never forget her kindness and smile!! RIP Bobbie.”

’82James J. Crawford, Roanoke, VA –Still practicing Anesthesia with 50+ -partner group at 750-bed hospital.

Jim Martin, Sugar Land, TX – “Damn this corona virus! Still plan to retire atthe end of this year in the mountainsof western North Carolina. Ourblended family of 5 are doing well. 5grandchildren. 2 kids live here and theother 3 are scattered (California,Tennessee and Maryland).”

’83Diane Mayer, New Orleans, LA –“Was in semi-retirement but backfull-time. No grandchildren. Onegrand dog, Stella. Still very active,running, biking, skiing, hiking andDANCING!”

John Reeves, Shreveport, LA –“Daughter Ashley E. Reeves (’20)will start Pediatrics Residency atLSU-Children’s Hospital.”

’86Carol P. Becker, New Orleans, LA –I was elected to the Office of Secretaryof the Radiological Society ofLouisiana, The State Chapter of TheAmerican College of Radiology, on7/26/2020. I served as AlternateCouncilor from Louisiana to theNational ACR Meeting in May 2020.”

Catherine McDonald, Lafayette, LA– “I lost my husband of 50 years. Iturned 72 and now work part time.”

’90Staci Fischer, Bristol, RI – “Continueto work for ACGME in the CLERprogram, visiting teaching institutionsacross the country with a focus onresident, fellow and faculty memberswell-being. Missing home!!”

’99Michael L. “Luke” James, Durham,NC – “Just plugging along. Will go up for tenured full professor at Duke later this year.”

Deceased

1941Thomas M. Deas

1948Bernard DeHovitzIke Muslow

1950Ralph LevinJack S. Zoller

1954Cecil W. LovellHenry D. OlindeRobert A. Tucker

1956William E. Godfrey

1957John E. FirestoneErnest C. Hansen, Jr.Charles D. Langford

1958George N. Baquet

1961Lloyd H. BouletBobbie W. DeshotelJ. Richard EnrightWilliam A. Martin

1962Ben B. Singletary

1964Stephen M. Wilson

1965Richard F. Bergeron

1966John Z. McFarlandVictor E. Tedesco III

1970Gary F. Carroll

1971Leon N. DeMent

1972Robert E. Songy

1976Corrie L. May

1978David E. Gaudin

1980James B. Elston

1984Stephen W. Speeg

LSU System

Thomas C. Galligan, Jr., JD, LLMPresident

LSU Health Sciences Center

Larry H. Hollier (’68)Chancellor

Steve Nelson, MDDean, School of Medicine

Medical Alumni AssociationBoard of Directors 2019-2020

Andrew P. Mayer (’86)President

Stacey L. Holman (’04)President Elect

Sanjeeva T. Reddy (’89)Vice President

Cathi Fontenot (’84)Secretary/Treasurer

Fred H. Rodriguez, Jr. (’75)Representative, Committee of 100

Maurice L. Bercier (’68)Andy P. Blalock (’98)

Acadiana Area Regional Representatives

James A. Lalonde (’98)Stanley E. Peters (’78)

Baton Rouge Area Regional Representatives

Jonathan L. Foret (’07)John W. Winterton (’90)

Calcasieu Area Regional Representative

Vincent R. Forte (’92)

Renick P. Webb (’83)North Louisiana Area Regional Representatives

Ludwig C. Heintz (’80)A. James Lacour (’82)

Northshore Area Regional Representatives

J. Vance Broussard (’85)Haden A. Lafaye (’90)

Terrebonne Area Regional Representatives

Members at LargeR. Douglas Bostick (’96)

Lisa M. Jaubert (’07)Evelyn A. Kluka (’84)

Eugene M. Louviere (’72)Michael D. Modica (’14)Casey A. Murphy (’13)

Leonard P. Neumann (’73)Randolph L. Roig (’92)

Barton L. Wax (’07)

Spencer J. Hart (’18)Resident Representative

Steve Nelson, MDDean, School of Medicine

Richard P. DiCarlo (’87)Senior Associate Dean for Faculty

and Institutional Affairs

Catherine M. Hebert (’97)Past President


Dear All,

Greetings on behalf of the Medical Alumni Office.2020 has been a year vastly different for all of us.

Reunions, originally scheduled for June 2020, werepostponed until June 2021. Although the 50-year reunion,Class of 1970 held a “virtual” reunion via Zoom. TheAnnual Purple and Gold Gala was cancelled due torestrictions on crowd sizes in New Orleans.

Operations at the Medical School have continued at all levelsand educational programs, although altered in some ways,continue for students and residents.

The Medical School depends on your support more nowthan ever. LSU has weathered many storms and, in everyinstance, has come through them stronger and moreresolute. The same applies to “The Covid Year.” Thanks foryour continued commitment to our institution. I pray foryour health and safety.

Sincerely,

Cathi Fontenot (’84)Associate Deanfor Alumni Affairs andDevelopment

dean’s corner: a message from dr. nelson · 2021. 6. 15. · the covid biorepository is a...

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