HJNO May/Jun 2025

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  MAY / JUN 2025 39 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com (Southwest Louisiana). “Learning to prepare easy, healthy, and tasty dishes using low-cost ingredients the entire fam- ily will enjoy is a win for pocketbooks, but also for overall health,” said Sandra May, MS, LDN, RD, instructor, LSU AgCenter. “By involving 4-H students in creating these videos, we’re not only promoting nutritious meals but also encouraging young people to take an active role in their own health and well-being. Plus, this series can reach a wide audience of Louisiana youth through social media channels.” These videos, along with a collection of 30 previous episodes from series 1-3, including heart-healthy and diabetes-friendly meal ideas, are available at LSU AgCenter’s Build a Healthy Meal website, lsuagcenter.com/ buildahealthymeal. Printable recipe cards are also provided, making it easy for families to try these recipes at home. In addition to being featured online, these recipes will be shared through LSU AgCenter’s annual Simple & Delicious calendar, at commu- nity events, food demonstrations, and as part of the LSU AgCenter’s SNAP-Ed and EFNEP nutri- tion education programs, as well as Dining with Diabetes and Break Up with Salt classes. For more information about the Build a Healthy Meal partnership, contact Louisiana Healthcare Connections at www.louisianahealthconnect.com . Learn more about the LSU AgCenter’s Nutrition and Community Health programs at lsuagcenter. com/foodandhealth. GoingWild on Healthcare: RFKGets the Nod as Louisiana Department of Health Ends Vaccine Promotion By Dianne Marie Normand Hartley As President Donald Trump’s dynamic, mesmer- izing, and rapid-fire spokesperson likes to say, the American people gave the mandate, and in RFK’s case, the Senate approved him to lead health and healthcare in our country. And who wouldn’t argue that Americans are unhealthy? Most of our food choices should be categorized as “calories,” not “food.” Our healthcare system is broken — too expensive, cumbersome, and focused primarily down- stream as unnecessary chronic diseases clog the system while behavioral health and neurodiver- gent needs are under-addressed, unaddressed, or simply swept to a street corner until dignitar- ies show up. It will be interesting to watch. National and Statewide Healthcare Shake-Up In February, the U.S. Senate confirmed Rob- ert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, a decision that has sparked conversations about the future direction of pub- lic health policies. Kennedy, who has been vocal about his concerns regarding vaccine safety, now oversees agencies like Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During his confirmation, Kennedy stated that he supports vaccines but emphasized the importance of transparency in public health messaging. In Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced a significant policy shift by ending its mass vaccination campaigns and halting seasonal vaccine promotion. Surgeon General Ralph Abra- ham, MD, issued a directive instructing health workers to avoid recommending vaccines directly and instead focus on sharing data to help individ- uals make informed decisions with their health- care providers. Vaccines, including those for the flu, COVID-19, and mpox, will still be available at parish health units, but the state will no longer organize large-scale vaccination events. Local officials have raised concerns about this change. New Orleans City Council President Hel- ena Moreno proposed a resolution to continue sharing vaccine information to help residents protect themselves against preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. Public health experts warn that reducing vaccine promotion could contribute to increased outbreaks, particu- larly in communities with lower vaccination rates. Shifting Public Health Messaging Abraham defended the policy by emphasizing the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. He stated that medical decisions should be indi- vidualized rather than driven by broad govern- ment campaigns. However, some health profes- sionals pointed out that many Louisiana residents lack consistent access to a primary care provider, making public health messaging a critical tool for promoting preventive care. As these new policies unfold, public health offi- cials and residents alike will be watching closely to understand their impact on community health outcomes. Louisiana already ranks at the bottom in most health rankings — we just hope the bottom doesn't fall out. Thibodaux Regional Welcomes Kyle Piner, DPM, to the Medical Staff Thibodaux Regional Health System announced the addition of Kyle Piner, DPM, podiatrist/foot and ankle surgeon, to the active medical staff. Piner is available to care for patients at Thibodaux Regional Foot & Ankle Center located at 290 Bowie Road in Thibodaux. Piner received a Doctorate of Podiatric Medi- cine degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a residency in podiatry at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, New York. Piner specializes in all foot and ankle condi- tions, from sports injuries and general foot pain to major surgical procedures. Optometrist Shaista Vally Serving DCHC’s Algiers Location DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) wel- comed Optometrist Shaista Vally, OD, at its new Algiers location on 2801 General DeGaulle Drive. Vally provides patients with routine annual eye visits along with detecting, managing, and treat- ing astigmatism, eye infections, diabetic eye dis- ease, eye injuries, and more. She received an optometry degree from SUNY College of Optometry and pursued an ocular disease residency at the University of Kentucky Kyle Piner, DPM