Barnhill AVP branch manager

JENNINGS – Sarah Barnhill has joined JD Bank as AVP Branch Manager. With more than 20 years of banking industry experience, Barnhill will oversee the daily operations of the JD Bank Branch located at 4507 La. 27 in Carlyss and also serve as a consumer lender for Southwest Louisiana.

A McNeese State University graduate, Barnhill began her banking career in 2000 as a teller for JP Morgan Chase. She was quickly promoted to relationship banker, branch manager, and district manager. Barnhill will work with customers and the community to meet the financial needs of Carlyss and the surrounding area.

Barnhill holds Life and Health insurance and Property and Casualty insurance licenses.

Imperial Health welcomes Palma

Dr. Christine Palma, podiatric surgical specialist, has joined the medical staff of Imperial Health.

A Louisiana native, Palma was born and raised in Lake Charles. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and her Doctorate at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. She then completed her surgical training at UF Health in Jacksonville, Fla.

Palma specializes in both conservative and surgical management for a variety of foot and ankle conditions. Her special interests include forefoot deformities (bunions, hammertoes, etc.), arthritis, sports injuries, and arthroscopic surgery. She also has extensive clinical experience and is therefore uniquely qualified to detect and manage disease of the lower extremities including those related to peripheral arterial disease and diabetes.

Palma is board qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in both forefoot and rearfoot reconstructive surgery. She is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery and has completed additional arthroscopic training through the college.

Hale elected  to LSMS council

Steven Hale, MD, orthopaedic surgeon with the Center for Orthopaedics, was elected to serve on the Council on Legislation for the Louisiana State Medical Society at their annual House of Delegate’s meeting held earlier this month.

The LSMS relies on the expertise and advice of this council to achieve its legislative goals. The council directs all state and federal legislative activities in accordance with the actions and policies of the House of Delegates. The council also organizes and coordinates the efforts of the LSMS regarding lobbying activities and member contact on key issues and/or legislation before the Louisiana Legislature and the U.S. Congress.

Hale is originally from Lake Charles and has 12 years of experience in his field. He graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge with a degree in biochemistry and earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed an orthopaedic residency at The Campbell Clinic in Memphis. Hale is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and he joined the Center for Orthopaedics in 2009. He also serves as Treasurer of the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association.

Hale specializes in joint replacement surgery, including robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement; sports medicine; knee surgery; shoulder surgery; hip surgery; fracture care; orthobiologics and arthritis treatment.

Guillory named to NACo Board

District 4 Calcasieu Parish Police Juror Tony Guillory has been appointed to his first term on the National Association of Counties Board of Directors and for his second term as a vice-chair of NACo’s Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee.

NACo, which serves nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees, seeks to advocate for government priorities in federal policymaking, to optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings, and to foster the public’s understanding of county government.

NACo President Larry Johnson appointed Guillory shortly after he was sworn in as president at NACo’s annual conference on July 12.

Active in NACo since 2013, Guillory has served as both a member and a subcommittee vice chair for the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Committee. He was also a member of the Rural Action Caucus Committee. He serves as a member of the Arts and Culture Commission, the Membership Standing Committee and the Healthy Counties Initiative Advisory Board.

The Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee is responsible for NACo policy on all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development — including the creation of affordable housing for different populations; residential, commercial, and industrial development; and building and housing codes.

Noble named president-elect

John Noble Jr, MD, orthopaedic surgeon with the Center for Orthopaedics, was chosen as president-elect of the Louisiana State Medical Society at the organization’s annual House of Delegate’s meeting.

Dr. William Freeman of Prairieville was sworn in as the 141st president of the group. The House of Delegates is the official policy-making body for LSMS, which meets to discuss current health care issues, decide on a course of action for the coming year, and welcome its new leaders.

When Noble assumes the role of LSMS president in 2022 he will be only the fourth doctor from Southwest Louisiana to serve in this leadership role for the organization’s 143-year history.

Noble is from Lake Charles and has 24 years of private practice experience. He joined the Center for Orthopaedics in 2000. He earned an undergraduate degree at McNeese State University and his Medical Degree from Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans. Noble completed an orthopaedic residency at LSU Medical Center, also in New Orleans, and a fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Noble is actively involved in orthopaedic research projects involving hip and knee replacement. He is involved in patient and physician advocacy, and has served in multiple leadership roles at the state and regional level throughout his career.

He is also published and has participated in resident education. His practice is now focused exclusively on sports medicine and joint replacement.

CSE recognized by CUNA Mutual

CSE Federal Credit Union was recently recognized as an “Exemplary Credit Union” by CUNA Mutual Group, an international insurance, investment and financial services company utilized by CSE.

Specifically, the consumer lending department and management of CSE was praised for their steadfastness and unwavering commitment to the credit union motto of “People Helping People.”

CUNA Mutual lending protection manager Lauren Bowser stated, “Despite significant weather disasters in the SWLA region, and in addition to a global pandemic, CSE was able to remain focused and consistently exceed the Lender Development Program goals throughout 2020. CSE truly portrayed the company’s motto ‘People Helping People’ during these trying times as shown through their quick response to member needs and their hands-on efforts towards rebuilding the community.”

CSE is the largest credit union headquartered in Southwest Louisiana with assets over $460 million. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes.

Two hospitalists join Avail staff

Avail Hospital is proud to announce the addition of Dr. David Landry and Dr. Ken Nguyen.

Both experienced hospitalists, Landry and Nguyen have been caring for patients in and around Southern Louisiana for the last 10 and 16 years respectively. Their duties include providing general medical care to hospitalized patients, many of whom exhibit multiple medical conditions at once, as well as ordering x-rays, labs, therapies, and referring specialists.

Landry received his Doctor of Medicine in 2011 from St. George’s University School of Medicine and his Bachelor of Sciences in Chemistry from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

Nguyen received his Doctor of Medicine in 2004 from St. Matthews School of Medicine and his Bachelor of Sciences from Baylor University in 1999.

Guerrero named marketing director

Lisa Guerrero is the new system director of marketing for the Lake Charles Memorial Health System. Guerrero has worked for Memorial in Human Resources as the Allied Health Recruiter since 2019.

She brings close to 20 years of experience in healthcare marketing. Since arriving in Lake Charles in 2012, she has held the positions of director of marketing and public relations for Christus Lake Area Hospital and Marketing Manager for Women & Children’s Hospital.

She also served as the director of marketing and product line development and as an occupational health specialist both at Moberly Regional Medical Center in Moberly, Mo. She was educated at the University of Missouri – Columbia where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in health and wellness promotions.

LeBlanc joins  Imperial Health

Dr. Blake LeBlanc, and Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist and Surgeon, has joined the medical staff of Imperial Health.

A Lafayette native, LeBlanc has practiced in the Lake Charles area for six years.

He specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat, as well as related structures of the head and neck. This includes, but is not limited to sinus disease, tinnitus, ear infections, tonsillar conditions and facial reconstruction.

LeBlanc received a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and earned his Medical Degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He completed a residency in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, also at LSU Health Sciences Center.

LeBlanc will be practicing with ENT Specialist Dr. Bridget Loehn at 1615 Wolf Circle in Lake Charles.