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Healthcare Journal of NEW ORLEANS
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NOV / DEC 2013
61
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Membership is limited, and phone registration
will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis
through Wednesday, Nov. 6. For more informa-
tion, call North Oaks Volunteer Services at (985)
230-6811.
One to Warm the Heart
Remember the high school senior awaiting a
heart transplant who celebrated his graduation at
Ochsner Medical Center with his former football
teammates? Well, shortly after that, on May 31,
Kaylon Marshall received a heart from nineteen-
year-old Christian Nelson, who died froma fall in
Lafayette. This fall, Christian’s parents, Jenn and
Hans Nelson had the opportunity to hear their
son Christian’s heartbeat for the first time since
his untimely death in May when the two families
met at Ochsner.
Shreveport native, Kaylon Marshall was listed
for a heart transplant in February 2012. Kaylon, a
football all-star at Calvary Baptist Academy, suf-
fered from dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition
that eventually took him away from the game
he loves most. On May 25, 2013, Ochsner held
a graduation ceremony in honor of Kaylon, not
knowing when, or if, his transplant would come.
Just six days later, onMay 31, Kaylon received his
second chance at life from Christian Nelson and
celebrated his 18th birthday on June 2nd.
Christianwas a registered organ donor – a deci-
sion his mom and dad, Hans and Jenn, say was
no surprise to thembecause of his generous and
caring spirit. Christian’s family honored hiswishes
at his bedside at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional
Medical Center, and as a result, he saved the lives
of four people awaiting transplant, gave sight to
two others, and enhanced countless more lives
through tissue donation.
St. Tammany Hospital Guild
Hosts Jewelry Sale
The St. Tammany Hospital Guild will host their
$6 jewelry sale Nov. 7, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov.
8, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Covington Room of St.
Tammany Parish Hospital, 1202 S. Tyler St., Cov-
ington. Merchandisewill include jewelry, purses,
scarves, shawls, watches, and other great gift
items, all priced at $6 plus sales tax. Cash, credit
card, or check will be accepted for purchases.
Proceeds from the Guild’s jewelry sale fund
scholarships awarded for the fall and spring
semesters to STPH staff members pursuing allied
health and nursing degrees. The scholarships
support the hospital’s leadership role in assist-
ing employees to further their education, train-
ing and careers at STPH. Employees are able to
grow professionally andmove up the career lad-
der while still working at the hospital.
The St. Tammany Hospital Guild is an orga-
nization of approximately 115 members who
donate 25,000 hours each year in twenty hospi-
tal departments.
Contact Shirley Primes at 985-898-4008 formore
information about volunteering with the Guild.
North Oaks Rehabilitation
Hospital Ranks Among Best
For those facing recovery froma traumatic injury,
the choice of a rehabilitation hospital can mean
the difference between achieving the highest
level of recovery–or not. North Oaks Rehabilita-
tion has earned recognition for its excellent track
record in getting their patients back to the activi-
ties they love.
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilita-
tion Facilities (CARF International) has awarded
the hospital accreditationwith no recommenda-
tions for performance improvement. CARF is an
independent, nonprofit organization that focuses
on quality of services and accredits nearly 50,000
programs and services at more than 22,000 loca-
tions. “This is an extraordinary accomplishment.
Only 3 percent of CARF surveys worldwide result
in no recommendations,” notes CARF President/
Chief Executive Officer Brian J. Boon, PhD.
CARF also certified the hospital’s Stroke Spe-
cialty Program, making it one of five in Louisiana
and the only one located along the I-12 corridor.
Survey results recognize North Oaks’ con-
tinuous efforts to improve services, encourage
feedback from patients and family members,
and serve the community. CARF accreditation is
granted through May 2016.
North Oaks patients make greater improve-
ments faster in dressing themselves, walking,
climbing stairs, toileting, and regaining their
memory when compared to similar patients
nationwide, according to the Uniform Data Sys-
tem for Medical Rehabilitation.
For more information on CARF International
accreditation standards, visit www.carf.org.
LHA gives Safety Star
Award to SMH
The Louisiana Hospital Association Trust Funds
announced three hospitals in the statewerewin-
ners of the “Safety Star Award” for 2013. The only
New Orleans metro-area hospital earning the
award was Slidell Memorial Hospital. The Trust
L-R: Kaylon Marshall, heart transplant recipient,
Dr. Thomas Young, pediatric cardiologist,
Ochsner for Children, and Jenn Nelson,
mother of Christian, the organ donor.
s