Flashes

Flashes

Maudrey Stevens of Breaux Bridge will use her victory in Oscar Meyer's Win the Ride of Your Life contest to deliver toys to patients at Women's and Children's Hospital for Toys to Recovery.

Cardiovascular Institute of the South's Dr. Peter Fail has been chosen to participate in an FDA study that will explore the use of an experimental alternative to open heart surgery called the MitraClip.

Dr. Charles White announced the opening of his new practice at 1232 Camellia Blvd., Suite A, in River Ranch. White purchased the practice from Dr. Charles Couch. Susan Ducharme will serve as receptionist and office manager, Jackie Duplichene as dental assistant and Jennifer Harris as dental hygienist.

The Acadiana Medical Group Management Association recently re-elected Belynda M. Crappell, vice president of operations at Trey Duhon Physical Therapy, as president for 2006. Julie Castille, also of Trey Duhon Physical Therapy, will serve as secretary and Dewey Larpenteur of Bendel Medical Associates as treasurer.

Miles Perret Center, Our Lady of Lourdes and Cajun Invasion, Louisiana's first cancer survivor Dragon Boat team, have joined to provide new clothing to families displaced by the hurricanes who are also battling cancer.

The Tanner family of Lafayette was honored by United Blood Services for their dedication to donating blood. Collectively, Earl Tanner Sr., his late wife Lelia Tanner and their children and grandchildren have given more than 435 donations of blood over the years. United Blood Services also announces the addition of three new members to its management team. Christopher Coffin will serve as director of technical services, Amanda Landers as director of donor recruitment and Chrissy Guilbeau as donor recruitment supervisor.

March of Dimes observed Prematurity Awareness Day Nov. 15.

Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center held a book fair Nov. 18-19 at Barnes and Noble for the Reach out and Read program that provides books to children in need during routine health care visits.

Dr. John Sullivan recently announced the grand opening of his new office at 109 Independence Blvd. Dr. Sullivan welcomes Dr. Tom Lightfoot from New Orleans into his practice.

The American Heart Association southeast affiliate has chosen Carey David Lawson as senior regional director for the Lafayette/Lake Charles region. Lawson will oversee the organization's fundraising efforts and support a staff that covers seven parishes. Also at AHA, Katie Bourgeois has been hired as regional director for Acadiana.

Barbara Feske was appointed vice president of management and support at Our Lady of Lourdes, where she will oversee support service areas.

On Nov. 20, the Fertility and Women's Health Center of Louisiana celebrated its infertility successes by inviting all 523 children who have been born since its 2000 opening under Drs. William Pelletier, John Storment and James Zehnder. Attendees brought donations that were distributed to hurricane evacuees by FoodNet.

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living and Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center invited area smokers to quit and "Go Cold Turkey" Nov. 17 in observance of the Great American Smokeout.

Acadian Ambulance and Argus Security teamed up with St. Louis, Mo.-based investment firm, Barnes Associates, to deliver more than 100 backpacks stocked with school supplies to children who have been displaced by recent storms. Operation Back-Pack took place Nov. 22 at Lafayette Elementary.

Light Heart LLC has announced its association with Broste A/S in Denmark. Broste will distribute Light Heart's fortified rice bran-based products in Europe.