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L to R: Abby Schexnayder, RN; Ansonia Coco, RN; Farin Fabre, RN; Dana Vidrine, RNC; Karrie Delise, RNC; Leah Terrell, RNC

Lend An Ear…To Lend A Hand Mark your calendar for Radiothon! Tune in to TALK 107.3 FM on Thursday, August 15 from 5:30 AM-6:00 PM to hear how your donations can help newborns, NICU patients and women in our community. You’ll hear patient stories, staff interviews and more throughout the day. You can support Woman’s community programs and services by calling 225-215-7070. Mother/Baby Partners With Mayor Kip Holden’s Healthy City Initiative Mother/Baby is honored and excited to participate in Mayor Kip Holden’s Healthy City Initiative to promote healthy nutrition and active living across Baton Rouge. Volunteers are promoting a healthy start by providing breastfeeding materials and education. A woman’s decision to breastfeed is strongly influenced by the beliefs and encouragement of her family and friends. When a mother is thinking about how to feed her baby, she values the advice and support of her partner the most, followed by the advice of her mother, family and friends. Educating the community (family, support persons, grandparents, aunts, nieces, etc.) to support mothers’ decisions to breastfeed is key to their success. Breastfeeding has many benefits for mom and baby. As reported by the CDC in August 2011, a baby’s risk of becoming an overweight child is reduced with each month of breastfeeding. Other health benefits for the baby include fewer sick visits to the doctor or hospital

due to ear infections and respiratory infections, as well as a lowered risk of SIDS, or the sudden death of a healthy baby without warning. Breastfeeding also provides health benefits for the mother, such as a lowered risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and/or diabetes. Mother/Baby volunteers and the Mayor’s Community Outreach Mobile Market will be at the Scotlandville Library on the first Wednesday of each month. ConGRADulations, CDC Students! The Child Development Center recently held its annual Preschool Graduation. The preschool staff, Ms. Debra, Ms. Christie, Ms. Joyce, Ms. Sharon and Ms. Stephanie, helped to prepare 20 youngsters moving on to Pre-K and Kindergarten. The graduation theme was “Play, Learn and Grow Together.” This was the first graduation at the new hospital, and more than 200 family members and friends attended the ceremony and enjoyed a reception in the JE Dunn Conference Center. Philanthropy Corner

The Employee Giving Campaign is coming! The Employee Giving Campaign, now known as “We Are Woman’s,” will launch Tuesday, August 20 and will run until Friday, September 6. Led for the second year by co-chairs Kim Corkern and Kathy Cagnina, campaign volunteers recently met to determine the campaign’s five focus programs and projects, which are the Employee Emergency Fund; Care for Victims of Sexual Assault; Cancer Care and Support Services; Human Donor Milk; and Palliative Care. Be sure to read On the Same Page for more information and campaign updates!

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Purchase Your WVO Raffle Ticket for a Chance to Win $5,000! Woman’s Victory Open (WVO) Golf Tournament will once again benefit Woman’s breast cancer outreach and education programs. You can help fight breast cancer by purchasing one or more $50 raffle ticket(s). Enter the drawing for a chance to win $5,000 in cash. Only 300 tickets will be sold, so be sure to purchase your tickets soon! Tickets may be purchased in the hospital gift shop or by contacting Melissa Curry (924-8749 or melissa.curry@womans.org). Recent Donors Woman’s Office of Development would like to thank the many individuals, businesses, foundations and groups that continue to help us fulfill our mission to improve the health of women and infants. Please click here for a list of recent donors. HR Corner Are you saving for retirement? Statistics show that many Americans are either not saving enough, or not saving at all. Woman’s offers you the ability to save for retirement on a pre-tax basis through the 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible employees receive a matching contribution based on their qualifying years of service. Today, there are 644 Woman’s employees who are not currently participating in the 403(b). Transamerica Retirement Solutions (formerly Diversified Investment Advisors) is the company that administers our retirement program. Transamerica Representatives Dennis and Michele (the same representatives as Diversified) will be at Woman’s on Tuesday, July 30 through Friday, August 2 to meet with employees individually. To allow new participants the opportunity to enroll or meet with the representatives to ask questions, we will schedule appointments between now and July 15 for employees who are not currently contributing to their retirement account or are newly hired. If there are still slots open, we’ll schedule appointments for current participants beginning Wednesday, July 16. Tuesday, July 30 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Conference Room 2 Wednesday, July 31

7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Conference Room 2 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, NICU Area (to accommodate those who cannot leave the unit) 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM, Conference Room 2 Thursday, August 1 7:00 AM to Noon, BAT Center 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Wellness Center 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Conference Room 4 Friday, August 2 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Conference Room 5 Email sharareh.creel@womans.org or call ext. 8731 to set up your individual, 20-minute meeting with a Transamerica Representative. Nursing Perspectives Corner Kangaroo Care: Marsupials Do It, Why Not You?! By Melanie Smith, RN What is kangaroo care? Kangaroo care is direct skin-to-skin contact between a parent and his or her newborn. The baby is held at the chest under a blanket or a shirt, which looks a lot like a mother kangaroo carrying her offspring. It is a beneficial and intimate time for mom, dad and baby. Why “Joeys” Like It Kangarooing has been shown to improve infant metabolism, thermostasis, sleep time, breast milk volume and breastfeeding rates. It decreases infant pain, newborn apnea and infection, and it also improves parent-infant bonding. What’s in it for Mum? Mothers and fathers agree that kangarooing maximizes the parent-infant bond and eases their NICU stay. It increases the level of a hormone called oxytocin in mothers, improving attachment and possibly decreasing depression. Kangarooed infants spend a lot less time crying and a lot more time sleeping. It has also been shown that infants that have had regular kangaroo care leave the NICU about one week sooner. Thermal Synchrony Recent research supports the idea of “thermal synchrony” during kangarooing. This means that mom’s breasts will actually work together to help baby maintain a normal temperature. It is also suggested that each breast will work independently in the case of kangarooing twins. Although a father’s body will not

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decrease in temperature if the infant gets too warm, it will increase in the event that the infant gets too cold. NICU Loves Kangaroo Care In the NICU, there are obvious barriers to kangarooing. Ventilators, cords and incubators can make interacting with baby rather intimidating. Many infants are fragile and that alone will deter many new parents from holding their newborns. Woman’s staff aims to minimize these barriers and encourage parents to interact with, care for and kangaroo their babies. Privacy is an important part of the experience, and our nurses will ensure parents are comfortable. It’s more work, but it’s worth the extra effort. What Parents Say “I was absolutely terrified because she was on the ventilator. She was 1 lb, 6 oz and so fragile, the most delicate little thing I could have ever touched. I treasured those few times I was able to get that close to my baby. Most of the time, we could barely even touch her, so when we did the kangaroo care it was so special to be able to get that close to her. Her being in NICU for six months was so hard. Feeling her soft little boney skin to mine was heartwarming and calmed my desperate soul!” “My son was born premature at about 29 weeks and 6 days. When I came to visit my son in the NICU, I got to carry him, but it was nothing like doing kangaroo care. When I first experienced kangaroo care, it was the most special moment. I felt so close to my baby and I felt him feel so relaxed and loved. At that moment, it really hit me that I was a mother. Since then, I’ve been doing it every day. I feel that our bond has gotten stronger and that even though he must stay in the isolette, I still get the chance to really bond with him. This makes my stay here much easier.” Fetal Demise By Jordyn Wilkins, RN When a woman first finds out she is pregnant, she begins planning for the future. She considers the baby’s gender and name, when she will deliver and how she will care for another life. Negative outcomes may only take up a small part of her planning. Working at Woman’s Hospital, we are aware that this is not always the case. Unfortunately, there are some instances in which pregnancies are lost. We use the term “fetal demise” to describe these situations.

Losing a pregnancy is not easy for anyone involved at any stage of the pregnancy, and the closer the baby is to term, typically the more difficult it is for the family to cope. As nurses, we are witnesses to all of the emotions that patients and their families experience through this process. We are there for the families to provide care, support, education and sympathy. What these families typically need most is education about the situation. Patients and their families benefit from our nurses’ devoted care for mother and baby. We provide numerous mementos for our patients experiencing a fetal demise, such as footprints and handprints; teddy bears representing the size of the baby; blankets; baseballs; and a CD with pictures of the baby. Woman’s Labor and Delivery staff is one extraordinary group of women. A specific group creates packets for families experiencing this loss. One of the pamphlets in this packet is about how family and friends can provide help for the mother who is experiencing the loss. This is so helpful for family members who don’t really know what to say or how to help. We have other poems and handouts that explain what feelings to expect during the grieving process. We also have a new volunteer who offers to take professional pictures of the babies if the family agrees. Overall, experiencing a fetal demise is a loss, and losses are never an easy process. Every individual experiences loss differently. There is no right or wrong way to grieve through this process. As nurses, we have to adapt to the specific needs of each individual family. Nursing Care of the Incarcerated Labor and Delivery Patient By Alecia Roy, RN When one pictures a child’s birth, the image that typically comes to mind is a mother and father welcoming their precious baby into the world. However, this is not the case for all of our patients; a small population is incarcerated. These women will deliver their babies without any family to support them or help welcome their children into the world. Their families are unaware that they are even in the hospital. Upon discharge, they will not take their babies home. They will return to the confines of their cells, and their families will be notified to collect the baby. In some cases, Social Services will become responsible for the babies and place them in foster care. This is the reality of an incarcerated patient.

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As Labor and Delivery nurses, we must be able to look past the circumstances of our patients and focus on providing not only the best possible care, but also being their support system throughout the labor process. The nurse must play her typical role of “nurse” as well as the role of “family.” We are there to encourage the patients, cheer them on during pushing and delivery, and make their day as special as possible. The bonding time between an incarcerated patient and her baby is small, and, depending on her sentence, she may not see her baby again for months or longer. It is essential that Labor and Delivery nurses encourage the bonding of mother and baby and make the time as stress-free and pleasant as possible. This includes everything from controlling her pain to controlling the environment. I recently cared for an incarcerated patient who had not eaten in nearly a day. Meals were scheduled in her prison, and she had missed both snack and meal time because she was in the infirmary. There were two guards assigned to her during her stay at Woman’s. They had the ability to eat in shifts in the waiting room, but chose instead to eat together in front of my patient. Having them eat in the room was difficult for my patient because of her hunger, and the smell of the food made her nauseated. Asking them if they would please take turns eating in the waiting room was the least I could do for her. She was very thankful. This small act provided some comfort for her during a difficult day. She delivered her baby without incident and was very loving and affectionate to her baby in recovery. It is our responsibility as nurses to advocate for, support and educate all of our patients to the best of our abilities. This is especially true with incarcerated patients, as there is no one else available to support them. At times, this means going outside of our own comfort zones to provide the best possible care. The time an incarcerated mother and her baby have together is limited and precious, and it should be valued as such by all of our staff.

In Step With: George Turner

What is your position at Woman’s, and how long have you been working here? I’ve been a biomedical tech here for 29 years. I just started my 30th year in May. What is a typical day like? The day starts with reviewing requests that have been sent in overnight to see what needs to be done along with the scheduled work we do every month. Calls also come in all through the day. Let’s not forget lunch is in there somewhere as well (haha). I work with a great crew here in Biomed that makes the work easier; we are a team. What are the qualifications for your job? A good working knowledge of electronics and electricity is a must. Understanding how something works is half of any job. A technical degree is the minimal requirement, but we have college degreed personnel as well on staff. What are your job’s challenges? With the ever-increasing numbers of new medical equipment entering the hospital, the biggest challenge I face is keeping up with the training to service the equipment. As we all know, regulations are constantly changing along with updated software programs that have to be learned. Why did you choose this career? My passion for electronics is no secret. I saw a chance to be, for the most part, on the cutting edge of technology. Did you ever think you would see surgery being performed with a robot? What new equipment and procedures are just over the horizon for our patients? I am excited to come to work each day to see what’s new, but with all that said, the staff at Woman’s is what makes the job. They are the best. When asked where I work, I am always very proud to

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say Woman’s Hospital. Thanks to Woman’s for giving me the opportunity to be part of this family. What’s the best part of your job? It would have to be the people I work with. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work? I love cooking, fishing and helping others. What’s your favorite type of music? My favorite type of music is Swamp Pop, and everyone should listen to Wayne Toups’ “Quand J’etais Pouvre.” What’s your favorite food in the Woman’s Way Café? Burgers. Milestones 30 years: Rosemary Lawson, GYN/Oncology Nancy Terrell, Patient Accounting 15 years: Helen Berry, Imaging Larene Chase, Environmental Services Hilde Chenevert, Data Analysis Julie Craven, Radiology Inga Henagan, Nursing Informatics 10 years: Mindy Becnel, Respiratory Care/EKG Boni Patty, Imaging 5 years: Julie Abshire, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Sheilah Brock, Labor and Delivery Laura Corona, Call Center Patricia Muse, Call Center Lynn Weill, Development Career Ladder Nursing congratulates these applicants who have entered, maintained or changed in status in the Career Ladder program: New Applicant: Jordan Brignac, RN II, Mother/Baby Callie Tranchina, RN II, Mother/Baby Maintained Status: Lynda Adams, RN II, NICU Kahne Caraccioli, RN III, Surgery

Julie Fresina, RN II, NICU Kaitlyn Greenleaf, RN II, OB Float Pool Esther Morgan, RN II, Labor and Delivery Jaime Mosley, RN II, Mother/Baby Gina Rumfola, RN II, NICU Alicia Samaha, RN II, Mother/Baby Kristin Scroggins, RN II, Labor and Delivery Cynthia Thomas, RN III, Surgery Amy Wallace, RN III, Med-Surg/Oncology Change In Status: Lauren Landreneau, RN II, Day Surgery Laurie LeGrange, RN II, Mother/Baby Lori Marcotte, RN II, OB Float Pool Amy McCurdy, RN II, Mother/Baby Congratulations Congratulations to Peggy Dean, director of Pharmacy, for graduating from Leadership Baton Rouge. Employee Discounts and Promotions Camp Bow Wow will open Thursday, August 1 near Woman’s on Pecue Lane. Woman’s is on Camp Bow Wow’s 401 “K-9” Plan! Get 10 percent off all services and 5 percent off all product sales. Visit www.campbowwow.com/batonrouge for more information. Dell XPS 18 Giveaway and Savings Dell is giving away one new XPS 18 every day! Join Dell Advantage (www.dell.com/mpp/womansadvantage) for free in July to be automatically registered to win one of 31 laptops. Hurry, you must register by July 31! Please ensure you use the correct Member ID (HS31709479) and URL for Woman’s Hospital. Save an ADDITIONAL 10 percent off the XPS 18 by using coupon code TWD6TW25V0KNBR at checkout (limit 500 redemptions). Dell Inspiron 15 Savings Get an Inspiron 15 for $292.99 after coupon: Click the banner on your homepage or search order code FENOCC59 and use coupon code J2KRC0?C33TVOV at checkout. Offer valid until August 8 at 6:00 AM.

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Upcoming Events Healthy Grilling Lunch and Learn Thursday, July 25 11:00 AM-11:20 AM, 11:30 AM-11:50 AM, noon-12:20 PM and 12:30 PM-12:50 PM Plaza outside Woman’s Way Café Please RSVP to wellness.nutrition@womans.org. Transamerica Retirement Solutions meetings Tuesday, July 30 to Friday, August 2 Email sharareh.creel@womans.org or call ext. 8731 to schedule your appointment. Radiothon Thursday, August 15 5:30 AM-6:00 PM Talk 107.3 FM Employee Giving Campaign Kickoff Tuesday, August 20 10:00 AM-1:00 PM Location TBD

Dell July Offer Get 10 percent off the world’s thinnest and lightest portable all-in-one desktop. Use coupon code TWD6TW25V0KNBR. The coupon may be applied on top of your Dell Member Purchase Program benefits. Limited quantity. Coupon expires August 1 at 6:00 AM. Not combinable with $200 Promo eGift card offer below. Dell Student Offer: Buy select systems $699+, get a $200 gift card. Good through August for students or those buying for a student.

Woman’s in the News June 25, The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report’s Daily Report: CATS rolls out new service to area hospitals June 25, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune: CATS announces new bus service for Woman’s Hospital June 26, The Advocate: CATS starts new service to Woman’s Hospital July 2, The Advocate: Music, art and more brought to Woman’s July 2, The Advocate: Gum disease a factor in diabetes cases A Few Good Ideas With HIPAA in mind, if you know of a remarkable patient experience, give Public Relations a call and let’s chat about the possibilities of sharing internally or externally. Call Amiee Goforth at x8527 or Dana Michell at x7941.

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Woman’s Iron Women Congratulations to Laurel Burgos, Liz Diaz and Rachel Podnar for not only completing the Iron Horse Triathlon, but placing in their age groups! The triathlon consisted of a 400-yard swim in open water, a 14-mile bike race and a two mile run. Whew! What are your cravings telling you? By Sandi Goebel Neely, RD, LDN Food cravings sometimes feel like a natural part of life. When hormones fluctuate, you might crave different types of food. However, food cravings can also develop from vitamin and mineral deficiencies in your body. Here is a list of popular cravings, reasons for each craving and how to satisfy each craving.

CRAVING REASON FOR CRAVING SATISFY WITH

acidic flavor magnesium deficiency raw cacao nibs/beans/powder, whole grains, beans,

nuts, seeds, greens, fruit

bread and toast nitrogen deficiency foods containing protein, such as green leafy

vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains

burned flavor carbon deficiency fresh fruit

cheese essential fatty acid deficiency

omega-3s (EPA and DHA): flax oil, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts

calcium deficiency sesame seeds/tahini, broccoli, kale, legumes,

mustard and turnip greens

chocolate magnesium deficiency raw cacao nibs/beans/powder, whole grains, beans,

nuts, seeds, greens, fruit

pasta, white bread, pastries

chromium deficiency onion, romaine lettuce, tomato, cinnamon, grapes,

apples, sweet potato

popcorn stress hormone fluctuations meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, leafy

greens, vitamins B and C

red meat iron deficiency beans, legumes, unsulphured prunes, figs and other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, vitamin C for

iron absorption

salty flavor chloride deficiency celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan sea salt

stress hormone fluctuations meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, leafy

greens, vitamins B and C

soda, fizzy drinks calcium deficiency sesame seeds/tahini, broccoli, kale, legumes,

mustard and turnip greens

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sweets

hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) fruit, high fiber foods (beans, legumes), complex

carbs (grains), chromium (cinnamon)

tryptophan deficiency spirulina, pumpkin/sesame/sunflower seeds, raw

cacao, oatmeal, sweet potato, spinach, raisins

chromium deficiency onion, romaine lettuce, tomato, cinnamon, grapes,

apples, sweet potato

sulphur deficiency cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, etc),

cranberries, horseradish, asparagus, carob powder, garlic, onion

phosphorus deficiency whole grains, pinto beans, pumpkin seeds, brazil

nuts, lentils Look for next month’s Small Talk article on how to overcome some of the most frequent food cravings like pasta, pizza and ice cream with healthier alternatives. Upcoming Woman’s Way Café Events The Healthy Grilling Lunch and Learn will be held Thursday, July 25 on the plaza outside Woman’s Way Café. Participants can make their own grill rubs with the provided ingredients. Each person who attends can also buy a healthy grilled lunch, which includes grilled chicken, baked beans, grilled corn on the cob and coleslaw, for $3 (including tax). All of these items will be prepared using light recipes. Available times are 11:00 AM-11:20 AM, 11:30 AM-11:50 AM, noon-12:20 PM and 12:30 PM-12:50 PM. Please RSVP to wellness.nutrition@womans.org.

Class Calendar Classes are available to employees, Fitness Center members and the general public. View details and fees and register online at www.womans.org or call 924-8300 for more information. More classes are available at www.womans.org. Fitness/Wellness/Lifestyle: Weight Loss Surgery: What You Should Know Date and Time: Thursday, August 8, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM; or Monday, August 12, 11:45 AM-12:30 PM Location: Woman’s Hospital, 100 Woman’s Way, 1st Floor, Conference Center Do you remember what it’s like to feel good? To take a walk without knee pain? To climb the stairs without losing your breath? Obesity is a medical disorder, and weight loss surgery can help you take control of your health. Registration: womans.org or 225-924-8444 Woman’s Ideal Protein® Seminar Date and Time: Tuesday, August 13 or Tuesday, August 20, 5:30 PM-6:15 PM Location: Woman’s Center for Wellness, 9637 Jefferson Highway Woman's offers the Ideal Protein® Weight Loss Program for both men and women. Woman’s goes beyond the traditional Ideal Protein method, combining it with a comprehensive program and registered dietitians that support you every step of the way. Registration: womans.org or 225-924-8313 Children: Body Basics for Girls Date and Time: Thursday, August 1, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM; or Saturday, August 24, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM Location: Woman’s Hospital, 100 Woman’s Way, 1st Floor, Conference Rooms 1&2 Preteen girls ages 9-12 will learn how their bodies grow, what changes to expect during puberty, and how to take care of themselves through informal, open discussions, a film presentation and take home materials. It is recommended that a parent or trusted adult accompany each preteen girl. Registration: womans.org or 225-231-5475