Palliative care is an often overlooked healthcare option, with misconceptions about what it entails. Many people associate it with dying, and are fearful of the subject. In this episode, we try to decode what it is, and hopefully gain a better understanding of this potentially life-changing innovation in health. We talk with palliative care physician, Dr. Kate Freeman of Ochsner Health in Baton Rouge. Dr. Freeman has a unique role in patient care, in that she specializes in palliative medicine, helping people who are suffering with chronic disease, and also those who are nearing the end of life. 

There’s been a major rise in stress since the pandemic began, caused by major changes in how we go about our daily lives. The population is experiencing increased levels of depression and anxiety, and many people are having a difficult time coping.

On this episode, host Alex Gaudin talks to Ochsner psychologist, Dr Jackie Ball, to try and make sense of what is going on with our mental health during these times, and to get some advice on what to do if we are feeling depressed or anxious. Dr Ball specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in the treatment of trauma-related disorders, depression, anxiety, and emotion regulation difficulties.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, researchers are studying the impact it has on communities. One research paper that has recently made national headlines, reveals major racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among patients in Louisiana.

On this episode of "Innovation Health," host Alex Gaudin talks to the lead co-author of this paper, Dr. Eboni Price-Haywood, Director of the Center for Outcomes and Health Services Research at Ochsner Health.

Dr Price-Haywood has been leading the effort to improve healthcare practices as it relates to the health and well being of communities across the Gulf South region, and helps to shed light on these important findings.

Is it safe to return to school, daycare, or to have playdates? What impact is the pandemic having on the mental health of children?

In this two-part episode, host Alex Gaudin talks with Dr. William Lennarz, System Chair of Pediatrics for Ochsner Health. Dr Lennarz has been leading the care for pediatric patients at Louisiana’s largest healthcare provider, and has been helping shape Ochsner’s response to COVID-19 in children. He’s also been a valuable resource for the community, as schools and organizations looking for guidance during the pandemic, consult with him on how to best return to operations. In this second part, they discuss the impact of the pandemic on children's development, and what a return to school may look like.

Join us in two weeks for the next episode of "Innovation Health."

If you are a parent, the unique challenges of caring for children during this time of uncertainty can leave you stressed and worried. Children have needs that must be met for proper development and health, but meeting those needs under these circumstances are challenging to say the least. Is it safe to return to school, daycare, or to have playdates? What about the inflammatory disease that we are hearing about now? How susceptible to COVID-19 are children? 

In this two-part episode, host Alex Gaudin talks with Dr. William Lennarz, System Chair of Pediatrics for Ochsner Health. Dr Lennarz has been leading the care for pediatric patients at Louisiana’s largest health care provider, and has been helping shape Ochsner’s response to COVID-19 in children. He’s also been a valuable resource for the community, as schools and organizations looking for guidance during the pandemic consult with him on how to best return to operations. In this first part, they discuss COVID-19 symptoms, infectiousness, and how sick children get. They discuss multi-inflammatory disease and Kawasaki disease. Additionally, they discuss the effects of COVID-19 on "well" visits, and the need for continuing immunizations and development checks. Lastly, they discuss the safety of Ochsner clinics for children.

Look out for the second part of this episode coming next week, where Dr. Lennarz discusses the impact of the pandemic on children's development and what a return to school may look like.

On this episode of "Innovation Health," host Alex Gaudin talks to neurologist David Houghton, MD, chairman of Telemedicine and Digital Health at Ochsner Health. Dr. Houghton has been on the front lines of the pandemic fight, having been called out of his normal neurology duties to tend to COVID-19 patients. His main role at Louisiana’s largest healthcare network has seen him usher in new and innovative ways in delivering medicine that are helping in the pandemic fight, and that will be shaping the way healthcare is done in the future. New episodes of this podcast are released every other week!