We salute those who - New Orleans City Business

PROFESSIONALMackie ShilstonePosition: executive director, The Fitness Principle at East Jefferson General HospitalAge: 58Family: wife, Sandy; children, Scott, 22, Spencer, 17Education: bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in business administrationwith a focus on organizational development, Tulane University; master’s degree in nutrition,Goddard College; associate’s degree in physical education, Delgado Community Collegephoto by Frank AymamiWhen Mackie Shilstone joined theTulane University football team as awalk-on in 1972, he was a 140-pound splitend — so small that his college footballcoach said he’d never be respected as a professionalathlete.“I’ve had him eat those words 3,000times. If you listen to what people tell youyou can’t do, you don’t,” Shilstone said.Shilstone is widely known as a healthcoach to the stars, although he finds it difficultto put himself in one category.“I’m basically Special Forces. My athletesmanage to win with me.”When he slowed down enough for aninterview, he’d just left West Palm Beach,Fla., where he was training tennis champSerena Williams, with whom he’s workedwith for more than a year.Shilstone said he never imagined he’dbe in the position he’s in today, but after hisbig break in 1985, his fame has skyrocketed.That was when he coached MichaelSpinks in his upset of world heavyweightboxing champion Larry Holmes in 15rounds. Under Shilstone’s tutelage, Spinksbecame the first light heavyweight to winthe title.“When Michael won, it was history and itliterally put me on the map worldwide,”Shilstone said. “Before I knew it, I becamean athlete of athletes.”Shilstone has worked with more than3,000 athletes during the past 25 years.“The toughest thing is to take a winneralready because you’ve got so much to lose,”he said. “If I do my job, you probably won’tnotice it because the athletes are going toperform up to what they can do.”Shilstone’s clients have included winnersand record holders in numerous sports, buthe considers his family his greatest achievementyet.•— Diana Chandlerphoto by Frank AymamiPROFESSIONALDiane SietaPosition: case management reimbursement supervisor and business andindustry liaison, West Jefferson Medical CenterAge: 52Family: children, Jason, 32, Jamie, 29Education: L.W. Higgins High SchoolDiane Sieta may wear different hats at WestJefferson Medical Center, but one thingremains constant: She’s calm.Overseeing the release of patients, Sietaand her division ensure patients have everythingthey need to continue recovery oncethey leave the hospital.“We make sure patients have their transportation,home health and rehabilitationneeds arranged so they can make a safe transitionhome,” said Sieta, a 23-year veteran of thehospital.Sometimes Mother Nature interferes withher day-to-day responsibilities, and that’swhen Sieta does the work that makes hermost proud. When Hurricane Gustav rolledinto the Gulf of Mexico, it fell on Sieta andher group to organize the evacuation of 90patients and arrange for any medical needsthat might arise during their airlift from NewOrleans.“When the final call was made to evacuate,we started looking at what each patient neededand identified all of the potential medical equipmentneeds of the patients. We copied chartsand records for transport, but we were calm andquiet, going about our duties and preparationsthat many weren’t aware what was happening.”After the storm passed, it was Sieta whomonitored and arranged the safe return of thepatients, frequently calling each of them sothey knew they were not forgotten.Sieta is proud of how her division ralliedduring a two-week period to safely return thepatients.“These were members of our community,and we would not stop until we got them home.”She’s also proud of her own resilience duringthe storm.“I’ve never been more amazed. Since thehurricanes, I have found in myself things that Inever knew I had in me. I would be proud tostay again during the next hurricane.”•— Abby KralNew Orleans CityBusiness — May 25, 2009 33