Louisiana Family Doctor - Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians

gram has now graduated 37 physicians, 23 ofwhom are practicing in Louisiana. Our programowes its success to the dedication andhard work of our administrative and medicalstaff as well as community support, and weall owe them our thanks!Our new intern class has settled in to thepace and life in Lake Charles, and haveproved themselves to be energetic, drivenand eager to learn. To welcome them,Louisiana AHEC sponsored our yearly “Docon the Block,” which was a chance to socializewith and get to know the incoming class,as well as learn about practice opportunitiesin the surrounding area. Since then, theyhave hit the ground running and have blendedwell into our program.In community service news, we were recentlyinvolved in our annual high-school sportsphysicals, in which we processed and sawapproximately 600 high-school athletes thelast weekend of July. Many thanks to all ofthe residents who gave up their Saturdaymorning to help out. Many of our secondandthird-year residents have continued toparticipate in McNeese State University athleticphysicals under the direction of Dr.Bryan Barootes, our very own “in-house”sports medicine diplomat. Thanks to his commitment,the sports medicine program hascontinued to thrive and grow in numbers.Also in community service news, we are veryhappy to announce the “LSU at LCMHREADING FOR HEALTH” program, whichwas the brainchild of Dr. SherriStringfellow. Dr. Stringfellow proposed thatwe begin giving age-appropriate books tochildren at the end of their KidMed visits. Tofund this, we will be having community corporatesponsors make donations. This willhave a very positive impact on our community’syouth and will encourage them to readfor fun. Great idea, Dr. Stringfellow!!At Moss Regional Hospital, our walk-in clinichas continued to thrive. We are excitedabout the addition of this rotation, and bothresident and patient alike have benefitedfrom the experience. Thanks to Dr. Robinsonand Dr. LeBato, who have been instrumentalin its success. Starting in October, we willalso be starting up a minor procedure clinic,which will be overseen and directed by formerchief (2005-2006) Dr. Bradley Loewer.We all look forward to this clinic, which willinclude minor skin procedures, endoscopies,and central lines.In international news, Dr. Loewer and hisfamily took a three-month “vacation” after22residency to do missionary work in Kenya,Africa. Dr. Loewer’s brother is a full-timemissionary there, and Dr. Loewer was invitedto deliver healthcare and assistance to thelocal hospital. He has kept us updated on hisexperiences through his e-mails and he asksfor continued prayer for him and his familyas they work in Kenya. Upon his return, Dr.Loewer will join the LSUHSC staff at MossRegional Hospital, where he will be overseeingour minor procedure clinic. Our prayersare with you, buddy!In baby news, Dr. Jody George and his wife,Amy, have welcomed a beautiful new daughterinto their family. Rebekah Elizabeth George, 6lbs 14oz, entered the world on July 28 atLCMH. Although Dr. George has lost a fairamount of sleep, he still brags that his daughteris the most beautiful, precious baby in the world.In the world of wildlife and fishing, therecent oil spill has put a bit of a cramp on ourstyle, leaving the speckled trout and redfishto live another day. Dr. Hutson has had hisboat tuned up to be ready for its return to theCameron Prairie marsh. On a practice run inPrien Lake, Dr. Hutson also discovered that6-week-old dachshund puppies get seasickand can make a mess on the deck carpet. Somuch for your dream of owning a “fishingdog,” Dr. Hutson! To make up for the lack offishing opportunities, Drs. George andHutson will be embarking on a tuna trip withformer chief resident Dr. Brian Smith(2004-2005), and Carter Benton, husband ofDr. Jamie Benton (Class of 2005). We willupdate you on our trip in the next article.With this “A-Team,” our success on this tripwill be assured. (crosses fingers).Well, that’s about it from God’s Country,AKA Southwest Louisiana. We will continueto work hard, play hard, eat a lot, and “laissezles bon temps rouler!”LSUHSC-ShreveportKim J. Hunter, CoordinatorThe final installation of the electronic medicalrecords for the entire family medicineand comprehensive care department has beenconducted. When the third- and fourth-yearmedical students arrived in July, they wereintroduced to the EMR system. Again, wewould like to thank Dr. E.J. Mayeaux and allof his little helpers for making the transitionas smooth as possible.In other news, our Annual Residency Fair isTuesday, October 17. Please contact DebbieHenry for any additional information.Congratulations are in order for RandyRichter, MD. Dr. Richter has been chosen to bethe command surgeon for the U.S. ArmyReserve. Unfortunately, the position is in FortMcPherson, Georgia. He will be on a 12-monthsabbatical from LSUHSC; we anticipate hisreturn in July 2007. He will truly be missed!!We would also like to welcome two new facultymembers: Nevedita Saraswat, MD, fromPhiladelphia, and Alicia Hopkins, DO. Dr.Hopkins is a 2006 graduate of this program.On a personal note: Dr. and Mrs. AlbertSmith III are expecting their first child inJanuary. Albert is a PGY-2.