Louisiana - April 2021

the
Pelican News
Vol. 77 | No. 2
April 2021
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LSNA & LOUISIANA NURSES FOUNDATION
Quarterly publication distributed to approximately 31,800 Registered Nurses and APRNs in Louisiana
Follow Us On
INSIDE
From Your President
From Your President Page 1
Executive Director’s Message Page 2
Call for Nominations Page 2
District News Pages 3-6
LANPAC Pages 8-9
Introducing the Latest Joe Ann Clark/
ANF Graduate Nursing Education
Award Recipients Page 10
Louisiana Nurses Foundation Page 11
Amazon Smile Page 11
LSU Health New Orleans
Nursing Faculty Elected to State
and National Leadership Posts Page 13
Excellence in Nursing Education Page 14
Greetings, dear
colleagues!
The past year has
brought so many
changes to our nursing
world. This year, the
ANA has extended the
recognition of the Year
of the Nurse to 2021
to continue the welldeserved
recognition
of nurses! It was almost
Ecoee Rooney one year ago that our
hospitals began to see
their first COVID-19 patients. In one very long and
challenging year we have learned so much and
we have been through so much. The Louisiana
Nurses Association continues to stand strong in
our anti-discrimination, anti-hatred position after
seeing an increase in lethal hate crimes, including
hate-based acts toward our Asian brothers and
sisters. We stand together as one profession with
many paths, in the belief that all persons are to
be seen and treated with unconditional positive
regard.
In speaking with nurses around our state
throughout the year, I acknowledge how much
we have given of ourselves to our patients, our
families, and our communities. Many are tired,
with minds and hearts filled with the sadness
we see in the lives that we touch every day. In
a profession so focused on giving, we need to
acknowledge the importance of giving back to
ourselves. Self-care is a radical act of our ethical
obligation to ourselves, each other, and the
people we serve.
Taking the time to make meaning of our
experiences, grow through continuing nursing
professional development, and living fully in our
bodies, our minds and our spirits will bring us to
the growth we deserve. If you have not yet, take
full advantage of the resources available to you.
Whether it is the employee assistance program
at your hospital, a therapist or counselor, take
time to process what you have experienced.
Take care of your spirit and mind through daily
mindfulness, finding gratitude, and recognizing
the good you do every day for the citizens of
our state. Take care of your bodies by resting,
moving, eating and hydrating well, and keep
wearing masks, social distancing, and getting
vaccinated.
There is now hope in our communities,
thanks to brilliant viral immunologists led by
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, the science of mRNA
vaccines, and the thousands of volunteer test
subjects that participated in clinical trials for
the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson
trials, including members of my family. We
have vaccines that have been approved by the
Food and Drug Administration and a light at
the end of a long, dark tunnel. My hope is that
each of you reading this have been vaccinated
or have a plan to be vaccinated, and that you
are using your voice as members of the most
trusted profession to be an example and
demonstrate our practice grounded in science
and get the shot.
I look forward to seeing all of our members
at Membership Assembly, whether as delegates,
or attendees. Please reach out to your District
President if you still wish to become a delegate
to Membership Assembly and represent your
district in voting for new board members, bylaws
changes, and resolutions that will shape the
future actions and direction of our organization.
Become an LSNA Affiliate Member Page 14
current resident or
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Princeton, MN
Permit No. 14
As many may know, the World Health
Organization extended the recognition of
the Year of the Nurse and Midwife into 2021.
The American Nurses Organization joined
the World Health Organization and global
colleagues in extending the Year of the Nurse
into 2021. This world-wide recognition builds
on the increased visibility of the contributions
of nurses from 2020 and ANA’s expansion of
National Nurses Week to Nurses Month in May.
The Louisiana State Nurses Association
would like to thank and recognize each of the
nurses in our state and a special gratitude
to each of our members. In February, LSNA
purchased special pins and with support from
Nurses Strong
Ochsner Health, these were mailed to each of
our members. We ask our members to wear
them with pride recognizing the strength
and resilience of nurses across the world who
face their profession with dignity, pride, and
aplomb.
During Nurses Month, we will be planning
more special recognition of our members,
and invite all of you who have not yet joined
to consider joining the Louisiana State Nurses
Association. Whether you are a member, or
not, please know that the Louisiana State
Nurses Association is the voice for all 68,000
nurses in our state. We hope you will join us
and get involved!

Page 2 • Pelican News April, May, June 2021
Executive
Director’s Message
Thea Ducrow
This spring is an exiting
time for LSNA and LNF.
The Louisiana Legislature
convenes on April 12. The
Louisiana Association of
Nurse Practitioners are
shepherding continued
full practice authority for
Nurse Practitioners. LSNA
has led the efforts to
champion these efforts to
build a coalition of nurse
organizations as a part
of the work to establish
a commission on advanced practce nursing. LNF
announced that the 2021 Virtual Nightingale Gala
will be held in October. The Henkel Corporation is
donating haircare products across Louisiana. LNF will
distribute over $190,080 worth of haircare products
for the second year in a row.
Nurses!
Louisiana has a large list of nurses to keep
updated and we want to reach you all.
Please be sure to email lsna@lsna.org with
address changes / corrections or if the nurse
listed is no longer at this address. Subject
Line: Pelican News Address Change /
Removal – Last, First Name
It is our pleasure to
get you comfortable,
stylish scrubs you want
without the hassle of
a uniform store trip.
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Call for Nominations
Elsie B. Meaux, RN, BSN, MHA
President-LSNA District IV
Chair – LSNA Nomination Committee
ebmeaux@yahoo.com
“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are
to become more than wishful thinking, we will need
the engagement of volunteers more than ever.”
— Kofi Annan
Nominations are now open for the 2021-23 LSNA
Board of Directors. It is very easy for us to just
pass this by and think “someone else will do this,”
but I hope you will all stop for a few minutes and
consider the roles that are open and step up to
make a difference in our profession. The current
open postions are:
President-Elect
(2 year term as President Elect, 2 years as President,
2 years as Immediate Past President)
Secretary
(2 year term)
Treasurer
(2 year term)
Director of Organizational Advancement
(4 year term)
Director of Nursing Leadership and
Professional Development
(4 year term)
Nominating Committee
(2 year term – 3 names to be selected)
Audit Committee
(2 year term – 3 names to be selected)
The obligations of each of these positions are
outlined on the LSNA website or you can contact
me to review various positions. Voting will take
place at the Membership Assembly in April.
Why should I volunteer? I don’t have time to do
this. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know anyone
on the board. I am not qualified. Are any of these
questions running through your mind? As I look
back over how much our lives have changed in the
past year, it is hard not to ask, “what can I do and
how can I make a difference?” Things are changing
faster than many of us can keep up with. It is up
to our organization, the Louisiana State Nurses
Association (LSNA) to be our voices and be proactive
in events that will effect our profession.
These board positions will give you the perfect
opportunity to learn more about our profession,
state and national agendas and work with some
extraordinary men and women in the field of nursing
and healthcare. In each of these positions are others
who will mentor and help you in your duties.
Over my 45 years of nursing, I have volunteered
for many positions in different organizations, and
at many different levels with time limits from a
couple of hours to several years. Each of them has
provided me with great opportunities, given me
growth in my nursing career, provided me with a
wonderful network of peers and graced me with
some lifelong friends. I hope you will consider
volunteering for one of these open positions. It
WILL be one of the most memorable and rewarding
times of your career.
543 Spanish Town Road | Baton Rouge, LA 70802
P: 225-605-3090 | F: 225-381-0163
www.lsna.org
LNF Board of Trustees
President............................................................................... Denise Danna
Vice-President.....................................................................Chad Sullivan
Treasurer.........................................................................Barbara Morvant
Secretary............................................................................. Barbara McGill
Trustee.........................................................................Cynthia Prestholdt
Trustee....................................................................Ahnyel Jones-Burkes
Trustee..................................................................................Ecoee Rooney
Trustee.............................................................................. Benita Chatmon
Trustee................................................................................. Jamie Wiggins
Trustee....................................................................................Chad Sullivan
LSNA Board of Directors
Executive Board
President..............................................................................Ecoee Rooney
President-Elect............................................................................. VACANT
Secretary...........................................................................Justin Fontenot
Treasurer.......................................................................... Denise Hancock
Transition into Practice...................................................Austin Nelson
Directors of
Clinical Practice, Health Policy.....................Ahnyel Jones-Burkes
Membership, Recruitment, & Retention............. Benita Chatmon
Nursing Leadership &
Professional Development........................................Angela Capello
Organizational Advancement....................................Allison Delphin
Non-Voting Board Members
Immediate Past-President...................................... Georgia Johnson
LASN President.............................................................Christina Hebert
LANPAC.........................................................................Patricia La Brosse
LNF.......................................................................................... Denise Danna
District Presidents
Alexandria..........................................................................Debra Hickman
Baton Rouge.................................................................... Yvonne Pellerin
Northshore.................................................................... Georgia Johnson
Lafayette.................................................................................. Elsie Meaux
Lake Charles........................................................... Peggy Hershberger
Monroe.................................................................................. Debra Walker
New Orleans...................................................................... Kendra Barrier
Ruston.................................................................................. Kathy Roberts
Winnfield......................................................................................... VACANT
Shreveport................................................................................ Lisa Wilhite
Tangipahoa............................................................................. Laura Lucky
Bayou........................................................................ Renata Schexnaydre
Feliciana............................................................................ Yvonne Pellerin
LSNA OFFICE STAFF
Monday-Friday | CALL FOR APPOINTMENT
Executive Director
Thea Ducrow, Ph.D. | executivedirector@lsna.org
Nurse Lead Planner
Kim Cheramie
cne@lsna.org
Administrative Assistant
Tiara Battieste | lsna@lsna.org
Head of Finance Committee
Denise Hancock, PhD, RN, LCCE
Article Submission
Submission Deadlines for 2021 Editions of the Pelican
March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, 2021
(submissions by end of the business day)
We appreciate your continued cooperation in adhering to the
submission guidelines so we can ensure the Pelican remains
a professional, highly regarded publication and resource for
all professional nurses in Louisiana. LSNA looks forward to
hearing from you and if you know of anyone who would like to
submit an article please forward this information to them.
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES
• Send all submissions to lsna@lsna.org
• Subject line: Pelican News Submission: Name of Article
• All submissions are subject to editing by the LSNA Executive
Director
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an attachment to an email (Microsoft Word only).
• A submission cannot be in the body of an email
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document.
• All pictures must have a caption with names of all persons
depicted. Names must be complete and submitted at time of
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article but in a separate format (png,.tif, .jpg)
• LSNA reserves the right to pull or edit any article / news
submission for space and availability and/ or deadlines.
• If requested, notification will be given to authors once the
final draft of the Pelican has been submitted
• LSNA does not accept monetary payment for articles
• Any submissions after the deadline will be considered for the
following issue
Please email lsna@lsna.org with all inquiries regarding the
Pelican News.
Advertising
For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis
Publishing Agency, Inc., PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-
4081, sales@aldpub. LSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc.
reserve the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in
advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of
advertisement.
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the
Louisiana State Nurses Association of products advertised, the advertisers,
or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product
offered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks
integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use.
LSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable
for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s
product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of
the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or
membership of LSNA or those of the national or local associations.
Louisiana Pelican News is published quarterly every January, April, July
and October and is the official publication of the Louisiana State Nurses
Association, a constituent member of the American Nurses Association.

April, May, June 2021 Pelican News • Page 3
District News
New Orleans District Nurses Association, Region VII
WELCOME
New Orleans District Nurses Association welcomes our new officers, Dr. Kendall
Young and Ms. Lauren Bridevaux.
NODNA’s NEEDS
NODNA has open positions for: Director of Communications, Director of Events
/ Student Nurses Night, and Director of Organizational Advancement. Anyone
interested, please contact Kim Guilbeau, Director of Membership, Recruitment, and
Retention.
CONGRATULATIONS
New Orleans District Nurses Association
Student Nurse Leadership Award
Dr. Kendra M. Barrier
President, NODNA
Lauren Bridevaux,
BSN, RN
Treasurer, NODNA
Kendall Young, DNP,
RN-BC, CCM
Vice President, NODNA
Dr. Aimme McCauley presented LaCine Bertrand
with the NODNA Student Nurse Leadership Award.
LaCine Bertrand was the President of the Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Student Taskforce,
now the DEI Student Association, and was the
Community Service Coordinator for the Student
Nurses Association in fall 2020.
THANK YOU
On behalf of NODNA, please accept our sincere appreciation to Dr. Ahnyel
Burkes-Jones, Dr. Denise Danna, and Ms. Chantel Moffat, for their selfless
contributions, leadership, and dedication that each has provided to nurses and
our surrounding community. Their service, passion, and commitment has set
an example for current and future leaders and will be cherished as meaningful
memories of shared experiences by those of us fortunate to have worked
alongside of them.
New Orleans District Nurses Association
Rising Star Award
Dr. Aimme McCauley presented Nadia Restreppo
with the NODNA Rising Star Award along with a $500
scholarship check. Nadia currently serves as Vice
President of her class and the Class Representative
on the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Student
Association.
NODNA Distrct News continued on page 4
Dr. Ahnyel Burkes-Jones
2017 – 2018 Vice
President and Director of
Programming
2016 – 2017 Director of
Communications
Dr. Denise Danna
2014 – 2020 Treasurer and
Director of the Finance
Committee
Chantel Moffat, BSN, RN
2017 – 2020 Director of
Communications
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Page 4 • Pelican News April, May, June 2021
District News
NODNA Distrct News continued from page 3
MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS
Ecoee Rooney, DNP, NPD-BC, SANE-A, President, LSNA and NODNA
member, presented, Finding Your Brave, at the December 17, 2020 meeting.
NODNA welcomes all members to join us in fun engaging social events by
attending the meetings and programs. Our meetings and programs are all
via Zoom so attending meetings and programs may be done from relaxing
environment of your home. Please visit www.nolanurses.org and follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter for programming updates. NODNA
provides nurses an opportunity to earn CE Credit and network with other
nurses throughout the New Orleans Metro Area.
I would like to thank each nurse for their membership, as our membership
continues to grow. The Board of Directors and I want our members to know
that each member is in our daily thoughts, knowing that our members will
remain resilient as they continue to face daily challenges during the pandemic
and drastic weather changes. I also know that your families, employers, and
communities appreciate everything you do. Lastly, NODNA encourages our
members to educate themselves about the COVID vaccine, share the facts about
the vaccine with your community, so people are able to make informed vaccine
decisions based on evidence and not myths. Vaccine information is located
on the LA Department of Health (LDH): https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine/ and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/
vaccines/covid-19/index.html.
Thank you for your support. All the best,
Kendra M. Barrier, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE
President, New Orleans District Nurses Association
News from District 4 – LSNA
Elsie B. Meaux, RN, BSN, MHA
President, District 4
As we move ahead into the new year, it has been a busy time in District 4. In
January we continued with our bi-monthly meetings both socially distancing
face to face at a local restaurant and simultaneously viewing on ZOOM. It is
our desire to meet the comfort level and desire of attending a meeting for all
of our members and we plan to continue to provide both options for all of our
future meetings. In January, we had our installation of new officers for the 2021
board. Our new board is:
Elsie Meaux- president; Ali Lossi - Vice President; Lisa Broussard-secretary;
Kevin Besse - treasurer; and board members – Carllene MacMillan, Meghan
Mattison, Justin Fontenot, and Christy Lenahan.
We have identified as one of our priorities of the new year moving forward
is the engagement of more members and we have identified several new
committees/task forces to work with the board to assist with duties and involving
more members. Those include: Membership will be led by past vice president-
Shelia Pritchett, Regional Action Coalition led by Mary O. Broussard, Acadiana
Celebrate Nursing Awards, Community Outreach, Health Policy, Professional
Practice, Finance and Scholarship.
Several of our members have been active in the community in assisting with
the administration of Covid vaccines at various sites and also continuing to assist
with Covid testing sites. We are reaching out to our membership to ensure that
we have updated information so that all of our communications are received. Our
district is continuing our planning of our 21st Acadiana Celebrates Nursing Awards
which will be held on May 7th. We look forward to celebrating not only our 25
outstanding honorees, but also highlighting the contributions of nursing to the
community over the past year.
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April, May, June 2021 Pelican News • Page 5
District News
LSNA District 4/Acadiana Black Nurses Association Collaborations
Dr. Enrica Singleton and Dr. Nellie Prudhomme
LSNA District 4 and Acadiana Black Nurses
Association (ABNA) Lafayette partnered to provide
support to the Acadiana community during challenging
times -2020 Hurricane Laura Relief and the-2020-
2021 COVID pandemic. Over thirty percent (30%) of
ABNA members serve jointly as members of LSNA/
ANA and other nursing organizations and actively
participate and support LSNA District 4 in meetings
and sponsored community activities.
During the last quarter of 2020, LSNA and ABNA
partnered to deliver essential supplies to residents
in the devastated area of Lake Charles following
Hurricane Laura. ABNA Chapter of the National Black
Nurses Association (NBNA) was awarded a $1000.00
grant from NBNA and another $500.00 donation
Senator Gerald Boudreaux to purchase and deliver
essential supplies (cleaning and recovery) and clothing
items to the residents. District 4 LSNA representatives
distributed masks, essential health and cleaning
supplies to residents in the devastated area.
L-R : Dr. Nellie Prudhomme, Angela Brown, RN,
Patsy Bienvenu,RN; Sharonetta Brooks, RN, and
GraciAna Breaux, RN.
Army National Guard/Volunteers
Advocacy in Action
Several members have been positioned
strategically on a national, state and local level
to address COVID 19 community related. ABNA
members have been engaged At the table in
order to provide culturally specific content and
context about COVID 19 impact on minority
communities. The inclusion allows for meaningful
representation and a speaker forum to eventually
foster empowerment and resilience of the minority
community during this pandemic.
Kneeling: Dr Iris Malone (ABNA President);
L-R: Patricia LaBrosse [(LSNA/ABNA), Elsie Meaux
[President LSNA District 4] Lucile Woodard (LSNA/
ABNA), Patsy Bienvenu, Dr. Jeanine Thomas
(LSNA/ABNA), Sharonetta Brook (LSNA/ABNA);
Standing: Linda Pritchard (LSNA); GraciAna
Breaux (LSNA/ABNA), Mathilda Johnny, Dr. Nellie
Prudhomme (LSNA/ABNA), Vanessa Mouton-
Sholes, Ida Fuselier, Sherilyn Greene (LSNA/ABNA),
Angela Brown (ABNA).
COVID -19 Testing, Education, and Vaccination
LSNA and ABNA’s cadre of nurse practitioners,
nurse educators, clinical nurse managers, and
partnered to provide over 300+ service hours
conducting COVID 19 testing and distribution of
health education materials to individuals arriving
for COVID testing at the Cardiovascular Limb
Institute (CLI) site in Lafayette and surrounding
Acadiana parishes.
To join our Team,
apply @ Amedisys.com
WE
OUR CLINICIANS
Dr Iris Malone, FNP performing COVID-19 testing
COVID-19 Vaccination
Wat Thammarattanaram Buddhist Temple
March 20, Broussard, La. – LSNA/ABNA members,
Dr Kevin Besse and Mrs. Lucille Woodard, RN,
partnered with other volunteers, LAVA and
Louisiana Army National Guard, in answering the
call to meet the critical need for mass COVID
vaccination.
Progressive Baptist Church Community Center –
Dr. Iris Malone, ABNA President, partnered with
Louisiana National Guard on a weekly schedule for
a “Sleeve Up” event encouraging Lafayette’s Black
residents to get vaccinated.
Dr. Kevin Besse,
Lucille Woodard
Dr Iris Malone,
ABNA President
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Dr. Sandra
Brown
Dr. Jeanine
Thomas
Louisiana’s Governor’s COVID-19
Health Equity Task Force
Dr. Iris
Malone
Governor Biel Edwards appointed Dr. Sandra
Brown, Dean of Nursing @ Southern University
to serve as a Co-Chair on the COVID-19 Health
Equity Task force to address the health disparities
specifically challenge minorities and vulnerable
populations in the state. Dr. Jeanine Thomas,
Associate Dean for Nursing and Allied Health at
South Louisiana Community College @ Lafayette,
was named to the Nursing Subcommittee of the
Health Equity Task Force.
Mayor’s COVID-19 Task Force
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory appointed
Dr. Iris Malone, ABNA President, to serve on the
Mayor’s COVID-19 Task Force as a nursing liaison to
tackle healthcare disparities suffered by Lafayette’s
Black community.
Acadiana ABNA continued on page 6

Page 6 • Pelican News April, May, June 2021
District News
Acadiana ABNA continued from page 5
Health Policy/Advocacy Achievements
Patricia
La Brosse
Dr. Cheryl
Taylor
Dr. Denise
Linton
Patricia La Brosse, MSN PHMCNS-BC, was
presented the National Patient Advocacy Award , a
National ANA award, by ANA president, Dr Ernest
Grant via Zoom. Mrs. LaBrosse, an Adult Psychiatric
Mental Health Clinical Specialist with Lafayette
General Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics in
Lafayette also served as the LANPAC Chairperson
The Louisiana Nurses Political Action Committee
Dr. Cheryl Taylor, PhD, FAAN, Professor ,
Southern University @ Baton Rouge participated in
multiple communication venues during the COVID 19
Pandemic and as a member of ABNA Health Policy
committee, Dr. Taylor has been active in addressing.
Health Equity and Diversity initiatives through panel
discussions, National virtual summits, and National
League for Nursing’s Steering (NLN) committee
member with COVID Bioethics Commission..
Dr. Denise Linton, DNS, FAANP, Professor,
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Dudley Joseph
Plaisance/BORSF Endowed Professorship in Nursing,
was inducted as a 2020 Fellow in the American
Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). Dr Linton
chairs the ABNA Bylaws committee chair and Health
policy committee member.
January 2021 . Using Zoom as its virtual platform,
ABNA members witnessed the installation of newly
elected members to its Executive Board. Amidst
a global pandemic, ABNA members witnessed
exciting developments and a renewed commitment
to fulfilling the mission of ABNA to serve all indigent
populations of the Acadiana region by providing a
forum for black nurses to advocate and implement
strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of
healthcare for persons of color
Bottom L-R : Lucile Woodard, (President-elect);
Dr. Iris Malone, (President). Top L-R: Ida Fusilier
(Secretary); Dr. Jeanine Thomas (Parliamentarian);
Phylis Rodgers, (Financial Secretary);
Sharonda Johnson, (Treasuer)
Excellence in education/scholarship. –ABNA
members remain committed to supporting a diverse
workforce by awarding scholarships which target
minority nursing students attending vocational,
associates, baccalaureate and graduate (Masters,
Doctoral) nursing programs.
Dr. Enrica
Kinchen
Singleton
Venessa
Mouton –
Sholes
Lucille &
Clarence
Woodard
Associates (ASN)/Baccalaureate (BSN) – The
Enrica K Singleton (EKS) scholarship, designated
for students completing the Associates or
Baccalaureate nursing degree program, is funded
through the generosity of the family of Dr. Enrica K.
Singleton and awarded to students whose academic
and community profiles mirror that of the EKS
criteria-academic, service and leadership.
The Launcher stipend, designated for LVN/LPN
students, is funded through the generosity of ABNA
members, Venessa Mouton-Sholes, RN and Mr. &
Mrs. Lucille (Clarence) Woodard, RN.
Brittney Lavell Boudreaux (BLB) Memorial
Scholarship for Advanced Practice Nurses
Research, Service, and Scholarship
Brittney Lavell
Boudreaux,
MSN, RN
The BLB Memorial Scholarship is
funded through the generosity
of Ms. Boudreaux’s parents,
Louisiana Senator Gerald and
Mrs Corliss Boudreaux. This
award is designed to: assist
nurses to study at the advanced
practice level; increase diversity
in the workforce and create or
develop the desire in nurses to
achieve success in leadership
roles. Ms Boudreaux was actively
involved in community activities,
receiving numerous awards and
honors. Professionally, she held membership in Sigma
Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society,
American Nurses Association (Texas District 9), the
National Association of Neonatal Nurses (Houston
Chapter), the National Association of Critical Care
Nurses, the National Black Nurses Association, and
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Ms. Boudreaux, an Acadiana native, was a
2008 graduate of Northside Senior High School
in Lafayette, received the BSN Degree in Nursing
from Dillard University in 2012 and a MSN Degree
in Nursing Leadership and Administration from
the University of Texas Health Science Center in
Houston in 2019. At the time of her passing, Ms.
Boudreaux was pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing
Practice at University of Texas. Her leadership
skills were recognized in her role as a Neonatal
ICU Manager at Texas Children’s Hospital as she
received the New Emerging Leader Award in
2018. Her leadership role included orienting new
staff and students to policies and procedures
on her unit and serving as their preceptor,
thus facilitating their socialization to the work
environment.
Information about ABNA and the scholarships
can be found at the Chapter website:
www.Acadianablacknursesassociation.com
ABNA Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 93111
Lafayette, La. 70509
Attention: Dr Nellie Prudhomme
Chair, ABNA Scholarship Committee

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Page 8 • Pelican News April, May, June 2021
LANPAC
On the Move 2020
GET READY, GET SET, GO!!!
Patricia A. La Brosse, PMHCNS-BC
LANPAC Chairperson
Patricia A.
La Brosse
Greetings from your
Louisiana Nurses Political
Action Committee!! It is that
time of the year again, and
we are gearing up for the
47th Regular Session of the
Louisiana Legislature. It will
open at Noon on Monday,
April 12, 2021, and close
no later than 6:00 p.m. on
Thursday, June 10, 2021. Each
legislative member may prefile
an unlimited number of
local and special bills and
may introduce up to five such
bills that have not been pre-filed. In addition, each
legislator may prefile up to, but not more than five bills
whose subject matter is outside the subject matter
restrictions of this session (the General Appropriations
Bill; capital budget, appropriations; new or existing
taxes; fees, to name a few). Currently, there are 57
pre-filed pieces of legislation. To access important
information found on the Regular 2021 Information
Bulletins for both Chambers, please visit https://legis.
la.gov/legis/SessionInfo/SessionInfo_21RS.aspx.
Resources to assist growth of your knowledge
base regarding legislative activities are available on
the legislative website www.legis.la.gov. There you
will find a treasure trove of information including laws;
bills; sessions; names and contact information for your
legislators; house and senate committees and their
members; and the opportunity to set up your own
personal bill tracker. In addition, you will see when
committees will be meeting, their agendas, and find
past committee meetings in the Broadcast Archives.
As always, your LANPAC Board of Trustees will work
closely with the Louisiana State Nurses Association
(LSNA) to support legislation that is endorsed by the
organization’s Health Policy Committee. Pertinent
legislative material will be accessible on www.lsna.org.
On another note, the LANPAC Annual Meeting was
held virtually on Monday, December 14, 2021. Along
with the regular business items, an election was held
for those offices with terms ending in 2020—Vice
Chairperson and Secretary-Treasurer. The Chairperson
and Member-at-Large terms are 2019-2021. LSNA and
the Louisiana Association of Student Nurses (LASN)
each have appointed representatives to the Board
of Trustees. Currently, the LASN position is vacant.
Current Board of Trustee members include:
Tamara M. White, Vice
Chairperson — Tamara is a
Registered Nurse with over 13
years clinical experience. She
is currently enrolled in
Chamberlain’s College of
Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing
Practice Program with an
anticipated date of completion
in September of 2021. Tamara
is a Licensed Nursing Facility
Administrator and has vast
Tamara M. White knowledge and experience in
the long term and skilled
nursing setting. She currently
serves as a practical nursing instructor and provides
independent clinical consulting through her company,
Pillar Healthcare Consultants, for multiple home and
community-based programs and specialty hospitals.
She currently resides in New Orleans, LA.
Lisa M. Deaton, Secretary/
Treasurer — Lisa has been a
registered nurse for 45 years,
and holds a B.S. in Nursing as
a graduate of Southeastern
Louisiana University in
Hammond, LA. She is
currently retired from practice
but has remained engaged in
nursing by actively serving on
the LA Action Coalition Core
Leadership Team and on the
Lisa M. Deaton LANPAC Board of Trustees for
the last six years. She was
Health Policy Chair for LSNA 2006-2014 and has
served on the Board of Directors for the Baton Rouge
District Nurses Association for the last three years,
including serving as 2019-2021 President. This is her
second term as LANPAC Secretary/Treasurer.
Ivory Davis
Ivory Davis, Trustee-at-Large
(serving an unexpired term)
— Ivory is the CEO & Owner
of Rosenthal Consulting
Solutions, LLC (RCS): a
minority nurse-owned case
management consulting firm
specializing in Worker’s
Compensation, Case
Management, and medical
record reviews. She obtained
her Bachelor of Science in
Nursing from Grambling State
University and her Master’s in
Public/Community Health Nursing from LSU Health
Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA. She is a highly
active health advocate in her local community. She
serves on the Grambling State University School of
Nursing Advisory Board, Shreveport Healthy
Communities coalition, and Future of Nursing:
Campaign for Action/Louisiana Action Coalition
Regional Action Committee. Ivory also serves as
Women’s Health and Wellness Chair for Sigma Rho
Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc,
and is Treasurer of Pearls of Humanity Foundation.

April, May, June 2021 Pelican News • Page 9
Chadwick
Kenney-Possa
Chadwick Kenney-Possa,
LSNA Appointed Trustee —
Chad is the Nursing
Supervisor at Our Lady of the
Lake Regional Medical Center
Main Surgery in Baton Rouge,
LA. He is also a Family Nurse
Practitioner student at
Franciscan Missionaries of Our
Lady University in Baton
Rouge, LA. His professional
memberships include
American Nurses Association,
Louisiana State Nurses
Association, American
Nephrology Nurses Association, Louisiana Association
Nurses Political Action Committee, the Association of
periOperative Registered Nurses, and as a student he
belongs to the Louisiana Association of Nurse
Practitioners. He is the proud foster parent to two
fourteen-month-olds, in hopes to become their
adoptive parent in the near future. His passion is
nursing and continuing to advance his education
through advanced practice. He is an avid activist for
Susan G. Komen Baton Rouge, Companion Animal
Alliance, Big Buddy, STAR, and many other non-profit
organizations.
Patricia A.
La Brosse
Patricia A. La Brosse,
Chairperson — Patricia has
been a psychiatric-mental
health advanced practice
registered nurse for over 30
years. Her background includes
direct patient care, various
administrative roles, nursing
educator, researcher, author,
consultant, and presenter at
local, state, national and global
conferences. Currently Patricia
provides outpatient behavioral
health services at Ochsner
University Hospital and Clinics
as well as at Dr. Joseph H. Tyler, Jr. Behavioral Health
Clinic, both in Lafayette, LA. She is a member of several
nursing organizations, having served in multiple
leadership roles. Her service to the LSNA Board of
Directors spans 16 years in a myriad of positions,
including President.
The willingness of the Board of Trustees to
agree to engage in the work is evidence of their
commitment to the work ahead this year. Along
with supporting the LSNA Health Policy strategies,
we will be engaged in activities to provide state
legislative candidate information to the voters of
Louisiana. To grow our outreach efforts, we need
financial support. A well-funded political action
committee will help show strength in numbers and
a commitment to engage in the political process.
Contributions are voluntary and may be made
by nurses and friends of nursing. All amounts are
Recruiting all RN’s
New Base Pay Rates
Eastern LA
Mental Health System
Call (225) 634-4303
for more info
The largest publicly founded
Mental Health System in Louisiana
welcome, and any amount of $50.00 or more
qualifies the donor as a voting contributor of
LANPAC. Along with donations at https://www.
lsna.org/lanpac, we are excited to report that
we now have a PayPal option for contributions.
The account is under lanpac1986@gmail.com.
Be certain to choose the friends and family option.
Join our efforts to help grow our ranks, maintain a
political presence, advocate for the patients we have
chosen to serve, and better represent our profession.
For additional information, please contact Patricia
La Brosse, PMHCNS-BC, LANPAC Chairperson, at
lahasky@aol.com or (337) 344-4987. Your voice is
needed!!!
“If I were to remain silent, I would be
guilty of complicity” —Albert Einstein
Leading the way in Mental Health Care!

Page 10 • Pelican News April, May, June 2021
Introducing the Latest Joe Ann Clark/ANF Graduate
Nursing Education Award Recipients
Cynthia Prestholdt, PhD, RN, Chair
LNF Scholarship & Awards Committee
Dr. Cynthia
Prestholdt
The prestigious Joe Ann Clark Graduate Nursing
Education Award was established in 2012, to honor Dr.
Joe Ann Clark for her distinguished career in professional
nursing in Louisiana. The goal of this award is to provide
financial support for selected Louisiana registered nurses
pursuing graduate education as nurse educators in an
educational environment. In addition to contributions
to the Louisiana Nurses Foundation (LNF), scholarship
funds were also received from the American Nurses
Foundation (ANF) as the final year of a three year grant
period. The combined funds of ANF and LNF provided
scholarships of $1,000 each to three Louisiana graduate
nursing students to help defray Spring 2021 academic
expenses. As before, recipients were selected on the
basis of established criteria and potential commitment
to ongoing contributions to teaching, leadership and advocacy in the nursing
community. There have now been 16 graduate nursing students named as
Joe Ann Clark Graduate Nursing Education Award recipients since 2012!
LNF is proud to introduce the following new graduate nursing award/
scholarship recipients:
Kim Gatlin is from Ponchatoula, LA and is enrolled as a DNP student at
Southeastern Louisiana University. She received funds as an Anna Gallagher/
ANF Scholarship recipient. She is an LSNA and LANP member, is a neonatal and
preoperative care nurse who enjoys working with the under-served population of
expectant mothers at Restoration House, and as a family advocate. Her goal is to
teach nurse practitioner students. She expects to graduate in Spring, 2023 and “looks
forward to one day giving back to the community and fellow nursing students.”
Katie P. Welch is from West Monroe, LA and is an MSN student at the
University of Monroe. She received funds as a Fresenius Kabi/ANF Scholarship
recipient. She has been a hospital education department Clinical Coordinator,
was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and
served on medical missions to Nicaragua in 2013, 2014, & 2015. She is currently an
undergraduate nursing instructor at ULM, teaching theory and clinical lab courses.
“I enjoy teaching more than any other job in nursing that I have ever had.” She
plans to graduate in May 2021.
Kim Gatlin Katie P. Welch Robin R. Wood
Robin R. Wood is from Bossier City, LA and is a DNP student at
Northwestern State University. She received funds from LNF. She is a member
of ANA and LSNA, Sigma Theta Tau and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies, and
is a Fellow in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She is
nationally certified as a DOT medical examiner. She has published some 30
pediatric articles in newspapers, directed at parent information and childcare.
She has lobbied at the state level and plans to serve as a change-agent for
rural health in local and statewide policy. She hopes to teach on the graduate
level and expects to graduate in August 2022.
Last year’s Joe Ann Clark Graduate Nursing Education awardees
included Katherine Bass, a MSN graduate nursing student from Mandeville,
LA and enrolled at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans. She
received LNF and ANF funds as the Fresenius Kabi/American Nurses
Foundation Scholarship. Mitzie R. Meyers of Mandeville, LA received
the Anna Gallagher/American Nurses Foundation Scholarship as well as
funds from LNF. She is pursuing her PhD degree in Nursing Education and
Administration at William Carey University. Both of these recipients plan to
graduate in the summer of 2021.
Gratitude is again expressed to the members of the LNF Scholarship &
Awards Committee for their diligence, expertise, and conscientious objective
evaluation efforts: Dr. Patti Christy, Nancy Darland, Dr. Carol Gordon, Maxine
Johnson, Dr. Stephanie Pierce, Dr. Valerie Schluter, and Dr. Lorinda Sealey,
along with Dr. Denise Danna (ex officio), President LNF Board of Trustees and
Dr. Cynthia Prestholdt (Chair).
Thank you Louisiana Nurses!
Happy Nurses Week!
Phone Number: 318.865.9800
Website: louisiananursinghomeattorney.com

April, May, June 2021 Pelican News • Page 11
Louisiana Nurses
Foundation
LNF Acknowledgement of Dr. Cynthia Prestholdt, PhD,
RN, and Her Unwavering Commitment to Louisiana
Nursing Students Through Student/Faculty Scholarship
Dr. Cynthia
Prestholdt
Louisiana Nurse Foundation (LNF) has had the privilege
for 14 years to have Dr. Cynthia Prestholdt serve as
the Chairperson of the LNF Scholarship and Awards
Committee since its inception in 2007. Dr. Prestholdt
has recently announced her retirement as Chair but will
remain active with LNF.
The LNF Board would like to express their appreciation
for Dr. Prestholdt’s dedication and commitment to the
Scholarship and Awards Committee over the years.
Her leadership in this area is unprecedented. Under her
leadership, the Scholarship and Awards Committee has
developed award criteria and nomination process for both
the Woodard Scholarship program for Undergraduate
Nursing students and the Joe Ann Clark Awards for
graduate students becoming faculty. The high integrity of
the LNF program has brought national recognition as an exemplar process.
Under her tenure, the LNF program has awarded a total of ninety-six (96)
undergraduate scholarships, ninety-three (93) Woodard Scholars and three (3)
American Nurses Foundations awards. In addition, sixteen (16) Joe Ann Clark
scholarships were granted.
The success of the LNF Scholarship program has been marked by Dr.
Prestholdt’s zealous oversight to assure high integrity in the application and
selection process and her unwavering commitment to the nursing students of
Louisiana. Cynthia, we will always be indebted to you for your vision, leadership, and
dedicated service.
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Donate to the Louisiana Nurses Foundation at no extra cost to you!
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April, May, June 2021 Pelican News • Page 13
LSU Health New Orleans Nursing Faculty
Elected to State and National Leadership Posts
February 25, 2021
Demetrius J. Porche, DNS, PhD, ANEF, FACHE,
FAANP, FAAN, professor and dean of the School of
Nursing at Louisiana State University Health Sciences
Center New Orleans, was elected to the Board of
Directors of the American Association of Colleges
of Nursing. He will serve a two-year term as a Board
Member-at-Large.
Dr. Porche has also been elected to Chair the
Louisiana Health Works Commission, a collaborative
working group to integrate and coordinate resources
relative to health care workforce development within
various state departments and key organizations.
Dr. Porche has served in a number of prominent
leadership roles in nursing education, research,
policy, and regulation, including president of the
Southern Nursing Research Society, the Southern
Regional Education Board Council on Collegiate
Education in Nursing, and the American Assembly
of Men in Nursing; member of the Louisiana State
Board of Nursing; and university representative for
the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia
Education Programs. His areas of scholarship
include executive leadership, emergent leadership
and men’s health. In addition to his service on the
board of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education, Dr. Porche is chair of AACN’s Diversity and
Inclusion Committee, was a member of the Doctoral
Conference Planning Subcommittee, and currently
serves as a mentor through AACN LEADS and as a
State Grassroots Liaison.
Jennifer Manning, DNS, ACNS-BC, CNE, Associate
Dean for Undergraduate Nursing Programs Associate
Professor of Clinical Nursing and Director of the
Baccalaureate Articulation Program at LSU Health
New Orleans School of Nursing, has been elected to
the Board of Directors of the National Association of
Clinical Nurse Specialists.
Dr. Manning is a three-time graduate of Louisiana
State University Health Sciences Center School of
Nursing, earning the last of her degrees, a Doctor
of Nursing Science, in 2014. Dr. Manning began
her nursing career as a critical care nurse at East
Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH), where she
currently serves as a part-time nurse researcher. Her
research interests include nurse work environments,
leadership, and best practices in nursing education.
She began her nurse educator career as a critical care
faculty in 2008. In 2013, she accepted a position as
the RN-to-BSN Articulation Program director and in
2015, was named Associate Dean for Undergraduate
Nursing Programs. In 2008, she obtained board
certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and, in 2014,
completed her Certified Nurse Educator certification.
Dr. Manning served as president of the Epsilon Nu
chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor
society from 2013-2015. She was appointed to the
Louisiana State Board of Nursing in 2018 for a fouryear
term.
LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans (LSU
Health New Orleans) educates Louisiana’s health care
professionals. The state’s health sciences university
leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School
of Medicine with branch campuses in Baton Rouge
and Lafayette, the state’s only School of Dentistry,
Louisiana’s only public School of Public Health, and
Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and
Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty
take care of patients in public and private hospitals
and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of
biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans
research enterprise generates jobs and enormous
annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans
faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue
to work to prevent, advance treatment or cure disease.
To learn more, visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu, http://www.
twitter.com/LSUHealthNO, or http://www.facebook.
com/LSUHSC.
The American Association of Colleges of
Nursing (AACN) is the voice for academic nursing
representing more than 840 member schools of
nursing at public and private institutions nationwide.
AACN is the national voice for baccalaureate and
graduate nursing education. AACN works to establish
quality standards for nursing education; assists
schools in implementing those standards; influences
the nursing profession to improve health care; and
promotes public support for professional nursing
education, research, and practice. Learn more at
www.aacnnursing.org.
The National Association of Clinical Nurse
Specialists is a membership organization devoted
to advancing the unique expertise and values the
clinical nurse specialist brings to delivering highquality,
evidence-based, patient-centered care and
to reducing the cost of health care delivery. NACNS
has more than 2,000 members and represents the
more than 70,000 clinical nurse specialists working in
hospitals and health systems, clinics and ambulatory
settings and colleges and universities today. For more
information or to join NACNS visit https://nacns.org.
Louisiana School
Nurse Organization
(Affiliate of NASN)
Through our specialized, evidence-based
practice, we autonomously strive to protect
and promote student health, facilitate optimal
development, and advance academic success.
Join LSNO today and help us forge the future
of our profession @ www.lsno.org

Page 14 • Pelican News April, May, June 2021
Excellence in Nursing Education
Demetrius J. Porche, DNS, PhD, PCC, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN | Chair,
Louisiana Council of Administrators in Nursing Education (LaCANE)
Dean, Louisiana State University Health –
New Orleans, School of Nursing
As the international nursing community celebrates the Year of the Nurse
and Midwife, the Louisiana Council of Administrators in Nursing would like
to acknowledge the achievements of Louisiana nursing schools. Louisiana
nursing schools have a history of preparing the state’s nursing workforce while
achieving national recognition. Excellence is a journey, not an outcome, but
the achievements that characterize excellence are worthy of recognition. One
achievement is the student outcome metric of NCLEX-RN licensure pass rates.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Pearson/VUE
third quarter 2020 NCLEX-RN examination data, there were 158,789 individuals
who took the NCLEX-RN examination with 138,985 (87.53%) passing the NCLEX-
RN exam successfully. Out of the 55 state or territory jurisdictions that completed
the exam, there were only 17 (31%) that attained a pass rate of 90% or greater. The
third quarter Louisiana NCLEX-RN pass rate was higher than the national average
of 87.53% for a pass rate of 93.08%. In addition, for the third quarter of 2020,
Louisiana ranked 5th out of all jurisdictions in the NCLEX-RN pass rate.
The NCLEX-RN achievements are attained through the leadership, dedication,
and outstanding education provided by Louisiana nursing faculty. However,
our nursing school administrators, faculty, staff, and students accomplishments
exceed the metric for NCLEX-RN licensure pass rates. On behalf of LaCANE, I
Become an LSNA Affiliate Member
Benita N. Chatmon, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE
As an alternative to dual individual membership, LSNA developed the Affiliate
Membership that allows another professional nursing organization, that maintains
a mission and purpose harmonious with the purpose and functions of LSNA to join
LSNA. The true need is to develop a strong, collective voice for nursing; none of us
can do this alone. LSNA has the potential to unite our voices.
We hope to establish partnerships that will continue for many years supporting
advocacy, education, safe practice, and professional autonomy. The strength and
vitality of nursing rests in the hands of nurses who make a difference every day in
our communities and our active engagement in our professional organizations.
LSNA would like to congratulate the following organizations for joining as an
affiliate member:
• LACANE
• LA Emergency Nurses Association
• Sigma Theta Tau International Epsilon Nu at Large Chapter
• Southeast Louisiana Staff Development Organization
We encourage other nursing organizations to join the effort. It’s not too late,
there are various benefits to joining.
The benefits of affiliate membership:
• An affiliate may have one delegate
representing their organization at the
LSNA House of Delegates biennial
Membership Assembly
• May provide informational reports or
presentations to the LSNA Board of
Directors or Membership Assembly
within the organizational affiliate’s
expertise.
• Submission of representatives
qualified for appointment to LSNA
ad hoc groups, task forces and/or
committees
• Dissemination of information to LSNA
members via electronic or print media.
• Exhibit opportunities at the LSNA
Membership Assembly, Link to the
Legislature and other LSNA events.
• Collaboration with LSNA on
legislative issues.
• A free link to Affiliate’s website from
the LSNA website.
• LSNA member communications and
Constant Contact Alerts, sent to the
Association designee to share with
their membership.
• Publication of one educational article
in the Pelican News per year related
to your association specialty.
• Participation in the Annual Health
Policy Consortium to discuss
key issues affecting nursing and
healthcare.
• The opportunity to participate in
the nomination/selection process to
fill Louisiana State Board of Nursing
vacancies and other Boards and
Commissions vacancies.
• The opportunity to create joint
position statements co-authored by
both associations
• Promotion of the organization as an
affiliate of LSNA
• The opportunity for CNE Joint
sponsorship of LSNA CE offerings.
• Pay the LSNA member fee to attend
the Annual LINK to the Legislature
event
As a fellow association representing the welfare of nursing and
healthcare, we share a mutual interest. We are seeking your affiliation
with LSNA. Affiliate Membership allows another nursing organization,
that maintains a mission and purpose harmonious with the purpose
and functions of LSNA and is not a labor organization, to join LSNA.
would like to recognize these local, state, and national level achievements. As we
celebrate the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, it is only befitting to recognize our
nursing schools.
Fletcher Technical Community College
• Fletcher’s ASN program had a very successful ACEN accreditation virtual site
visit in September of 2020.
• Fletcher successfully initiated an LPN to ASN hybrid program in the fall of
2020.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, School of Nursing
• BSN program awarded the Program of Merit for Health Professions
Designation by the Gerontological Society of America. They are the first and
only nursing program in the nation to receive this status.
Louisiana State University Health – New Orleans, School of Nursing
• National League for Nursing Center of Excellence
• National Student Nurses Association Stellar School Award
• The Louisiana Center for Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes: A Joanna
Briggs Institute Center of Excellence (LA Center) – 10 Year Anniversary
• Sigma Theta Tau International, Epsilon Nu Chapter Key Award
• Initiated the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) degree
• Dean Demetrius Porche elected to chair the Louisiana Health Works
Commission and elected to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
(AACN) Board
• Dr. Jennifer Manning elected to the National Association of Clinical Nurse
Specialist Board
• Dr. Jennifer Martin appointed to the Professional Development Committee of
the National Collegiate Honors Council
• Dr. Leanne Fowler has been selected to participate in the inaugural AACN
Diversity Leadership Institute and elected for a second term to the Board of
Directors of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
• Dr. Linda Ledet appointed to serve on the Steering Committee of the APNA
Education Council.
• Dr. Marcy C. Purnell has been appointed as the Tenet Health System/Jo Ellen
Smith, BSN Chair of Nursing. She currently holds one published patent and
has three patents pending relating to her work in bioelectrodynamics. She has
served as principal investigator on seven funded research projects and as subinvestigator
on an additional six projects. She has recently published a novel
mechanism in Discovery Medicine that suggests a previously unrecognized
cascade of events that may trigger crises in sickle cell patients.
• The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Student Association has been formally
approved and recognized as a student organization in the School of Nursing
McNeese State University, College of Nursing and Health Professions
• Classes started January 18 online, but we are projected to be able to move
back into our nursing building next week after being out since August 27,
2020 due to Hurricanes Laura and Delta. We would like to thank nurses and
students from around the state who have contributed to relief efforts at
McNeese.
• Our RN to BSN program received a 1.4-million-dollar Department of Labor
grant to provide tuition support to RNs living in rural parishes seeking to
complete their BSN online.
• Dr. Ann Warner is the new interim dean beginning January 4, 2021. Our
outgoing dean, Dr. Peggy Wolfe is rejoining the graduate nursing program as
faculty.
Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, College of Nursing
and Allied Health
• Dr. Sandra Brown, Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health, was
appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to serve as Co-Chair of the
Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force
• Historical virtual chartering of Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON)
Alumni Association. Members of the chartering ceremony included 70 charter
members and 15 honorary chartering members
• Membership in the National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing
Excellence
• Enrollment of Undergraduate nursing program in Centralized Application for
Nursing Programs (NursingCAS)
• The School of Nursing’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program has
remained open throughout the pandemic without interruption of services to
participants
• Funding obtained for the purchase of a mobile health clinic to provide health
outreach services to medically underserved and vulnerable populations in
East Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes, including inner-city and rural
communities within a 50-mile radius of the School of Nursing.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
• Designated an NLN Center of Excellence, Creating Environments That
Promote Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty, 2020-2024
• Nursing program designated End-of-Life Nursing Consortium (ELNEC) Hall of
Fame School
• Development of College Level Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Collaborative
Workgroups focused on student initiatives, faculty recruitment and
development, and undergraduate and graduate curricula
• UL Lafayette RN to BSN student elected President of the 60,000-member
National Student Nurses’ Association
• Dr. Ziad Ashkar, Professor in the College of Nursing and Allied Health
Professions, Director of the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, the Dr.
Robert Rivet Endowed Chair and the Acadian Ambulance Service/BORSF
Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Health Informatics and Endowed Nursing
Professors, Drs. Deedra Harrington and Christy Lenahan, were awarded a
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grant in the amount of $271, 850

April, May, June 2021 Pelican News • Page 15
for the implementation of a COVID-19 Telehealth
Program
• Dr. Paula Zeanah, Lafayette General Medical
Center/Our Lady of Lourdes Eminent Scholar
Endowed Chair in Nursing and the Director
of Research at the Picard Center for Child
Development and Lifelong Learning at UL
Lafayette, received the 2020 Award for Child
Advocacy from the Louisiana Chapter of the
American Academy of Pediatrics
• Drs. Paula Zeanah, Jeanne Cartier, and Cynthia
Suire, led a team of faculty members from UL
Lafayette who collaborated with researchers,
faculty, and mental health and social services
sector leaders from across Louisiana to produce
the state’s first and most comprehensive report
on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in
Louisiana. After the report’s publication and
presentation of findings at the Health Summit
2020 in Baton Rouge, Dr. Zeanah was featured in
a documentary, Toxic Stress: Adverse Childhood
Experiences in Louisiana, which aired on the
Louisiana Public Broadcasting Network.
• Dr. Lisa Broussard, Associate Dean and Acadian
Ambulance Endowed Professor in Nursing, and
a colleague were selected by Sigma Theta Tau,
the International Honor Society for Nursing,
to develop the faculty development program,
Scholarship of Teaching, which was produced in
collaboration with the authors of the companion
faculty programs, Scholarship of Discovery and
Scholarship of Practice.
• Dr. Melinda Oberleitner, Dean of the College of
Nursing and Allied Health Professions, Professor
in the Department of Nursing, and the BORSF/
SLEMCO Endowed Professor in Nursing, was the
only nurse from Louisiana selected for induction
as a 2020 Fellow in the American Academy of
Nursing (FAAN).
• Dr. Denise Linton, a Professor in the Department
of Nursing and the holder of the Dudley Joseph
Plaisance/BORSF Endowed Professorship
in Nursing, inducted as a 2020 Fellow in the
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
(FAANP).

Recruiting Registered Nurses
and Practical Nurses Licensed
CENTRAL LOUISIANA STATE HOSPITAL
Leading the way in Mental Health Care!
Benefits include:
Retirement
Insurance
Paid holidays & paid vacation
Special entry rate of pay
Sick leave with flexible scheduling
Call Shawanda Gordon at (318) 484-6331 for more information.