Small Talk

SmallTalk
MARCH 2012 • CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL • THE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN • VOL XXXI, No. 3
The Parenting Center — an oasis for parents
In a small red play house with a bright blue roof,
a little boy busies himself mixing sand on a makeshift
counter. His mother sits nearby and relaxes while
watching him play. "This new playhouse is usually
an imaginary restaurant," said Jenni Evans, parent
educator at The Parenting Center at Children's
Hospital. "Sometimes we'll have a line of kids waiting
to be served sand."
Situated along the eastern edge of Audubon
Park at Children's Hospital's Calhoun Campus, The
Parenting Center offers a wide variety of services and
resources for parents. Membership to The Parenting
Center is free for employees of Children's Hospital,
with membership benefits extending not only to
parents but also grandparents.
"Parenting a 'tween' girl and adolescent boy as
a single mom can be overwhelming at times," said
Birgit Haylock, CHMPC director. She regularly speaks
to the parent educators at The Parenting Center,
seeking advice or ideas. "Jenni has always been a
sympathetic listener with some great ideas for me to
try as well as books and articles for more information.
She and director Barbara Leblanc
have been able to help me work out
some issues, whether it's to do with
school, sibling rivalry, or differing
co-parenting styles. The Parenting
Center is a great resource!"
The Parenting Center offers
three main ways for parents to
utilize their services: drop-in play
time in either the play room or
the outdoor play yard; classes
offered on numerous topics, ranging
from newborn care to CPR to issues
involving teens; and the availability of parent
educators to answer impromptu questions and
give professional advice on parenting issues, either
in person or over the phone.
According to Evans, the most popular classes
are the series designed for parents of infants and
newborns. One particularly popular class, called
"Snuggles and Struggles," allows new parents to
discuss such topics as crying, sleeping, feeding
and infant behavior. Other classes for infants cover
important milestones, healthcare, and playing
with infants.
(Continued on page 2)
PARENTING CEN
At left: Linus Oliver Lum
cooks up an imaginary meal
in the new outdoor play house
at The Parenting Center
Parenting Center (continued from page 1)
Dorka Hegedus is a part-time photographer and the mother of a two-yearold son, Linus. She has been a member of The Parenting Center for only a year,
but she already considers it a vital part of her family life. Recently, she and
her husband were considering moving from New Orleans to Los Angeles. "We
made a list of 'Pros' and 'Cons,' and the first item on the 'Pros' side was The
Parenting Center," Hegedus said. "I seriously love this place." After considering
all of the factors, they decided to stay in New Orleans.
Hegedus cites the many classes she has taken as providing the most
valuable benefits from her membership. "When I walk out of one of those
classes, I have a plan," she said. "I can't think of why any parent wouldn't want
to sign up here, just for the classes alone."
Classes are much more than unilateral instruction sessions, according
to Evans. "We strive to be a place where parents share encouragement,
information and support among each other," she said. "Our classes are an
interchange of ideas. Parents are encouraged to do more than just sit and
listen to an instructor."
Rachel Perkins, human resources generalist, has taken full advantage of
the various ways The Parenting Center assists parents. "As parents, we often
need advice from an outside source. The Parenting Center has been that for
me," Perkins said. "I tell all of my family and friends about the center and the
wonderful things they have to offer. I can't say enough great things about them."
Hegedus, likewise, has become a self-appointed advocate of The
Parenting Center. "When I'm out with friends, or anywhere around other
parents, I'm always listening to see if I hear any parents asking for advice or
needing assistance," she said. "When I do, I'm always quick to tell them the
same thing: call The Parenting Center!"
To apply for free membership to The Parenting Center or to get more
information, employees can call x4365 or visit their Uptown campus at
938 Calhoun St. Also, class schedules are available on their website, www.
theparentingcenter.net. There you can also find links to educational resources
and information about the staff. Membership includes both the Uptown and
Metairie locations. The Metairie Parenting Center is located in the GoldringWoldenberg Jewish Community Campus, 3747 W. Esplanade Ave.
THE PARENTING CENTER
MAGIC
Making A Great Image Count!
Congratulations to our newest
members of the Top Hat Club!
Daron Hameen
Respiratory
Alex Redfearn
Social Services
Danielle Kline, RN
5th Floor
AT
HOSPITAL
NextCHILDREN’S
Gen goes live, links clinics
to records
The Information Services department recently announced
the successful launch of an ambulatory system called Next
Gen, which is specifically designed for services provided in an
outpatient environment by physicians. The system has two
major components: practice management and electronic
medical records (EMR).
The practice management module, which is a building
block in the implementation of electronic medical records,
allows clinicians to schedule appointments, perform
registration functions and bill using the same system.
Previously, three separate systems were used for these
tasks. Also, the 17 CHMPC clinics were on a different
system than the specialty physicians who hold clinics at the
main campus.
Next Gen was selected because
it will link patients' records in the
hospital's systems with their records
Shelley Finnan
Nurse Coordinator
in the physicians' files, allowing
for increased accessibility and
efficiency. "This is the first step in a
long process in implementing EMR," said Tammy Reites, vice
president, Information Technology. "Our physicians represent
such a diverse group of specialists, so we will need to tailor the
system to meet the needs of each area, allowing it to capture
information specific to each specialty."
Reites acknowledged several months of hard work by
the team that implemented the Next Gen system, not only in
developing the system but also in training the staff who will use it.
Will Ferrell crowned Bacchus
XLIV at CHNOLA
Actor Will Ferrell, wearing his purple, green and gold
crown, knocked on the door to room 447. A cheerful voice
inside responded, and Ferrell opened the door. Patient Jenna
Cavalero, wearing a matching purple, green and gold tiara,
beamed. "I found my queen," exclaimed Ferrell, and the two
began to laugh.
Ferrell, along with his wife and two of their sons, visited
Children's Hospital on February 17 and was crowned as
Bacchus 2012. After speaking to a crowd of cheering fans
outside where he accepted the crown, Ferrell and his family
visited patients on 4 West, bringing smiles and signing
autographs for thrilled patients and parents.
Sugarplum
201
2
B
C
Voodoo
ayou
enefiting
B
hildren’s Hospital
B all
Friday, March 16
7:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Home of Mr. Gregor Fox, 1239 First Street
Entertainment By: Junior and Sumtin Sneaky
with special guest Rockin’ Dopsie
For more information or to purchase tickets,
contact Public Affairs, x4373
DID YOU
KNOW
?
The cafeteria offers gift cards in any amount. They
can be purchased at the registers in the cafeteria.
Cards can be purchased with cash only; payroll
deduction is not available at this time.
Will Ferrell finds his queen, Jenna Cavalero, a patient
in 4 West, during his visit February 17.
Michael Tuckson
PC Specialist,
Information Services
Employee since 2009
Do you have any skills or
talents that no one at work
knows about? I am a licensed
electrician. Also, I mentor kids at
the Boys' & Girls' Club.
Mike is known around the hospital for
his friendly and pleasant disposition.
His coworkers say he has a super laid
back personality and is always willing
to help out.
Who is your favorite Saints
player ever? Rickey Jackson.
What is the best thing about working
at Children's Hospital? Getting to
meet new people.
What is the last thing you do
before you go home?
Check emails.
What is the first thing you do
when you arrive at work?
Check emails.
Do you have any children? Yes, My
son, Daqari, is 8 years old and my daughter, Mikayla, is 3.
If someone made a movie
about your life, who should play you? Tyrese Gibson.
Where did you grow up? In the Seventh Ward in New Orleans.
What is your favorite place to eat lunch at the hospital?
Outside or in the cafeteria... so I can see everybody!
How would you describe your job duties if you were
speaking to a 4-year-old? I fix the computer when it breaks so
that you can play on it.
If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be? To
be rich, to live forever, and to stay cute.
SPOTLIGHT
GREETINGS
3 Center: Kendall Candebat, unit clerk; Leslie Wade, RN.
4 West: Ryan Hargis, unit clerk.
Admitting: Holly Mo, patient accounts coordinator.
Adolescent Behavioral Unit: Mark Ely, social worker.
Cardiology: Heather Gautier, RN.
Child Life: Kristin Haugen, child life therapist.
Kids First Prytania: Monica Perkins, medical assistant.
Lakeside Children’s Clinic: Hope Davis, insurance clerk.
Metairie Pediatrics: Angelle Wallace, file clerk.
Napoleon Pediatrics: Leslie Edler, LPN; Ursula Morris,
patient service representative.
NICU: Donna Hymel, RN; Jeanne Robichaux, RN.
Orthopaedics: Jessica Nguyen, physician assistant.
Outpatient Registration: Stephen Adams, patient service
representative.
Respiratory: Stephanie Kenyon, registered respiratory
therapist; Rhonda Oros, registered respiratory therapist.
FAREWELL
3rd Floor: Lylette Williams, unit clerk.
6th Floor: Amina McCutchen, RN.
Admitting: Ada Castro, senior patient service
representative.
Billing: Anjanette Jourdain, lock box payment processor.
Cardiac Care Unit: Jennifer Harrison, RN.
Clinical Dietitians: Mary Leaber, dietitian.
Kids First Mid-City: Radhamani Kumar, physician.
Nurse Coordinator: Annette Shaw, nurse coordinator.
Pharmacy: Katrina Nguyen, pharmacy technician.
Surgery: Amber Malone, surgical technologist.
UP THE LADDER
Angela Cascino, RN senior nurse tech, 4th Floor, to
full-time RN, NICU. Cynthia Cooks, patient service
representative, Outpatient Registration, to secretary,
Psychology. Camille Cousin, PRN senior nurse tech, 5th
Floor, to full-time RN, NICU. Anjell Duplantier, PRN
senior nurse tech, to full-time RN, NICU. Heidi Eiserloh,
PRN senior nurse tech, to full-time, RN, 4th Floor. Lauren
Eustis, PRN senior nurse tech, to full-time RN, 5th Floor.
Hali Guerra, PRN senior nurse tech, to full time RN, NICU.
Hillary Hymel, PRN senior nurse tech, full-time RN, 6th
Floor. Kionne Lear, PRN senior nurse tech, to full time RN,
PICU. Jennifer Massa, PRN senior nurse tech, to full time
RN, 3rd Floor. Katheryn Montamat, PRN senior nurse tech,
to full time RN, NICU. Mary Saitta, PRN senior nurse tech,
to full time RN, 4th Floor. Anthony Watkins, PRN senior
nurse tech, to full time RN, Emergency Room.
ON THE MOVE
Lindsey Casey, RN PICU, to interim nurse manager,
PICU. Missie Coffey, full-time nursing supervisor, Nursing
Administration, to full-time RN, Surgery. Cathryn
Couvillion, part-time radiology tech, to part-time radiology
tech/part-time ultrasound tech (full-time), Radiology.
Tatanisha Edwards, EK technician, Cardiology, to patient
service representative, Outpatient Registration. Sholatha
George-Hunter, part-time RN, Adolescent Behavioral
Health, to part-time diabetes nurse liaison, Diabetes
Contract. Katrina Griffin, full-time RN, NICU, to parttime RN, NICU and part-time nurse supervisor, Nursing
Administration. Diane Kennedy, secretary, to scheduler,
Secretarial Pool. Kisha Parker, child care technician, 4th
Floor, to file clerk, Secretarial Pool. Dawn Schaffer, nurse
manager, PICU, to nurse coordinator, Nurse Coordinator.
Mary Tobin, orthopaedics coordinator, Orthopaedics, to
administrative assistant, Children’s Health Network.
ACCOLADES
Jennifer Hall, DPT and Ashley Cantrell, DPT, Physical
Therapy, have been selected as the March of Dimes 2012
Spotlight on Success Honorees.
Donnika Payne, unit clerk, PICU, recently earned her
pharmacy tech license.
HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS/NEWS BRIEFS
The hospital converted to a new document imaging system,
called Electronic Document Management (EDM), on March
1. All patients discharged in the year 2012 will have their
records scanned into EDM. Medical records prior to 2012 will
be maintained in Papervision.
Events
The Parenting Center will hold its Summer Camp Expo on
Tuesday, March 27, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Auditorium.
Parents of young children are invited to this free
informational event.
The 2012 Sugarplum Ball will be held Friday, March 16, from
7:30 to 11:30 p.m. This year's theme is "Voodoo Bayou Ball."
The ball will held at the home of Mr. Gregor Fox, 1239 First
St., and will feature entertainment by Junior and Sumtin
Sneaky with special guest Rockin' Dopsie. The black-tie
event will also feature a silent auction. For more information
or to purchase tickets, contact Public Affairs, x4373.
STAFF
Christopher Snizik
Editor
Cathleen Randon
Director, Public Affairs
Brian Landry
Vice President, Marketing
Steve Worley
President and CEO
Small Talk is published monthly for the staff and volunteers of Children’s
Hospital by the Public Affairs Department. 504.896.9373, www.chnola.org.