Louis G. Mes of Lafayette Plastic Surgery Associates was named "Today's Hometown Doctor" in the latest issue of NewBeauty magazine. Mes was the only doctor from Louisiana featured in the publication and received the designation for living in close proximity to his office, taking calls himself and counseling patients before and after plastic surgery.
The Woman's Foundation's Health Information Center is offering free information on divorce, including coloring books for children in grades K-3 and pamphlets for grades 4-6, teens and adults. The Health Information Center is located at 4630 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Building A, Ste. 100, and is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Local vitamin company Panacea has changed its name to SeaBlue and recently donated products to Vitamin Angel Alliance for hurricane relief.
Miles Perret Center Cancer Services for Acadiana was named "Baker for the Day" by Great Harvest Bread Co. The center will receive the keys to Great Harvest's Kaliste Saloom store May 7, and 10 percent of sales that day will be donated to the center.
Junior League of Lafayette participated in the national Kids in the Kitchen day April 22 at Albertsons on Johnston Street to give children and families nutrition lessons and provide activities designed to promote healthy eating choices.
Southwest Medical Center received 5 Stars from HealthGrades 2006 Vascular Care Excellence Award.
UL Lafayette nursing students received Red Cross pins during a recognition ceremony April 24 at Bayou Bijou. Forty-two students qualified for Red Cross Student Nurse pins for the amount of time they spent working with people impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Local Red Cross representative Gloria Boudreaux presented the pins, and faculty and staff volunteers were also recognized.
Cardiovascular Institute of the South was represented by Dr. Peter Fail, an interventional cardiologist in Houma, at the second-annual CT Angiography for the Cardiologist course in April in Milwaukee, Wis.
MedExpress Ambulance Service Inc. has secured a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide 10 Emergency Medical Technicians to the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah, effective May 1.
An April 28 New York Times article reported that a new study found families displaced by Hurricane Katrina are suffering from mental disorders and chronic conditions like asthma, in addition to a lack of prescription medication and health insurance at rates much higher than average. Conducted by the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and the Children's Health Fund, the study is the first to examine the health issues of those living in housing provided by FEMA.
Cycle Zydeco was held April 20-23 and included about 350 bicycle riders from 39 states cycling through Acadiana's countryside, covering 200 miles.
Claire Maitland Noell is a recipient of the Associates to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's 2006 Award of Excellence Scholarship Program. Noell is a high school senior with asthma and will receive $1,000.
Opelousas General Health System held a special medical staff meeting with guest speaker U.S. Senator David Vitter recently. OGHS also announced the implementation of The C.A.R.E. Channel for patient television.
Shirlene Young, owner of Wellness Express, has become a certified health care consultant and now provides health and safety training required for childcare workers. Wellness Express specializes in onsite health, wellness and safety services in the Acadiana area.
Romona Mayeaux has been appointed to lead the new Our Lady of Lourdes Urinary Continence Center as a certified family nurse practitioner and pediatric nurse practitioner. Also at Lourdes, Dr. Laura Rogers has been named medical director at the After Hours Clinic, and Dr. Kenneth Odinet has been appointed to the board of directors for a three-year term.
Gift of Hope, sponsored by Fertility & Women's Health Center of Louisiana, Women's & Children's and Sheridan Healthcare, has announced its selection committee. Members include: Karen Alleman, surgical staff nurse at Women's & Children's; Kevin Caswell, vice president commercial banking at Teche Federal; Najwa Dibbs, psychologist; and Angela Morrison, assistant director, UL Lafayette alumni affairs and a member of Women's & Children's board of trustees.
Kevin R. Hargrave, a neurologist who is board-certified in sleep medicine, is opening a new practice at 224 St. Landry St. Hargrave was formerly owner of the office of Comprehensive Neurologics & Sleep, closing in the Opelousas Medical Complex this month.
An expansion of the Louisiana Aging and Disability Information Station program, piloted at the Cajun Area Agency on Aging last year, is being funded by the federal government. The station is now focusing on 42 disaster-affected areas, servicing seniors who have relocated or are trying to return home.
Hospice of Acadiana, in conjunction with Healing House, is offering its Camp Brave Hearts for children ages 7-12 at the De LaSalle Christian Brothers Center June 8-9. Call 237-1332, ext. 2267, to register.