Foundation President Beth Veazey. “It is exciting to be working with
such experienced individuals.”
Prize Patrol Surprises Internal Grant Winners
Armed with balloon bouquets and happy news, Ronell Johnson made the annual
“Prize Patrol” rounds last week throughout the hospital. Several
departments were caught off guard as they learned that their internal
grant requests had been approved. In all, 20 departments will receive
funding this year for everything from blanket warmers
(Radiology) and tub benches
(Regional Burn Center) to music services
(Arts in Medicine) and Vein Finders
(MACU).
Internal grants are made possible through the Foundation’s annual
You, Me & BRG employee giving campaign, which will kick off in April.
Since the program began in 2010, more than 100 projects have been funded,
totaling nearly $1 million. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity
of our employees, who continue to make this campaign a success year after
year,” said Symil LeDoux, Director of Community Engagement.
Pennington Cancer Center was one of the internal grant winners.
Arts in Medicine Creates Café Gallery
If the Bluebonnet cafeteria seems to have a different ambience these days,
it might be because of the beautiful paintings that now adorn its walls
--- paintings created by patients, staff and local artists, and available
for purchase. Café Gallery is a joint project of BRG’s Arts
in Medicine program, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Art and Artists’ Guild, and Associated Women in the Arts.
The first collection has been hanging since January, and a second collection
will go up the first week of May. Artists set the pricing for their works,
but agree to donate 30% of the sale to the hospital’s AIM program.
If you have questions, call Kim Henderson, AIM Supervisor, at ext. 7040.
The Arts in Medicine staff held an artists’ reception when the first
collection opened at Café Gallery.
Alla Baltas’ painting Café Du Monde – Cathedral.
BRG’s Caring Extends Beyond Hospital Walls
It was a day he will never forget. In January, 94-year-old WWII Veteran
Joseph Rockforte got the royal treatment --- a day trip to the WWII Museum
in New Orleans, organized by nurses from the hospital’s Regional
Burn Center, where Rockforte has been an outpatient for several years.
Danielle Bennett, a nurse practitioner in the Burn Center, coordinated
the trip with help from burn nurse Liz Spreen. The group numbered about
20 people, including family members and two other patients. During their
tour, Rockforte wore a tag identifying him as a veteran, so he was stopped
often by fellow veterans and thanked by other museum visitors. He shared
war stories with the children in his group, and had a chance to see his
own commemorative “brick” at the museum. Throughout the day,
he wore a French medal he received in recognition of his time as a prisoner of war.
“They didn’t have to do this for me, but I’m so glad
they did,” Rockforte said. “We had a big group with so many
nice people, and they really made it a special day.”
Rockforte is pictured second from right.
School of Nursing Earns Top Ranking in State
The
BRG School of Nursing has been ranked first in Louisiana by RegisteredNursing.org for leading
the state in graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The National Council
Licensure Examination has been the standard nationwide nurses’ licensing
test for more than 20 years. Since 1984 more than 900 talented nurses
have graduated from BRG’s program.
“We are honored to be ranked number one in Louisiana,” said
SON Director Carol Tingle, PhD, MSN, RN. “Our students’ hard
work and our faculty’s consistent observance of nursing standards
and guidelines are just a few elements of our successful program.”
Father Daughter Tradition Continues
Special thanks to all those who attended or volunteered at the 2017 Father
Daughter Sweetheart Dance on February 12. Held at the Raising Cane’s
River Center downtown, the event drew more than 1,300 guests, who enjoyed
great music, delicious food and a unique family tradition that continues
to grow each year.
Funds raised by the Sweetheart Dance are used to support hospital services,
programs and equipment, making a meaningful difference in the lives of
patients and their families. Thank you for your continued support of this
special event.
SAVE THE DATE
Ambassador Hospital Tours
April 11 and 13, May 25, June 13 and 15, Bluebonnet campus
The BRG Foundation offers ongoing mission-based tours that take visitors
through several areas of the hospital, including Pennington Cancer Center,
Arts in Medicine, the Regional Burn Center, and the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit. At each stop, a patient or clinician will share a story about
the department’s programs and services. Tours take place at various
times and locations. To schedule a tour, call (225) 763-4831.