Health Fund launches on Giving Tuesday
<div class="Content"><p class="indent">On Giving Tuesday, Christus Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana launched its Women’s Health Fund and the newly-established James W. Gardiner Center at Christus Ochsner Lake Area Hospital.
<p class="indent">The $1.6 million center is an investment from the namesake’s trust and will house 3-D mammography and ultrasound units, along with the most advanced sterotactic biopsy unit. Patients can have their comprehensive cancer screenings done locally and get results faster.
<p class="indent">The center is also focused on wellness, screenings and genetic initiatives to identify cancer risks as early as possible. Dr. Alice Prestia said uninsured patients can receive the genetic screening for free.
<p class="indent">Dr. B. Jay Brooks Jr., hematologist/oncologist, said the center is focused on early screening, personalized prevention, and its advanced imaging techniques makes its services “incredibly unique and almost revolutionary” to the standard of care offered in Southwest Louisiana.
<p class="indent">The health fund — established with two $100,000 donations from the Women’s Health Council and the Vickie Singletary Christian Benevolent Initiative Fund — will serve women who are uninsured, underinsured or have extremely high deductibles.
<p class="indent">The Women’s Health Council is dedicated to providing health education and financial assistance to Southwest Louisiana women.
<p class="indent">Vickie Singletary said she established the fund to give back to those who helped her financially when her late husband battled cancer 20 years ago at St. Patrick’s Hospital.
<p class="indent">“The mercy of God met me in that room,” Singletary said of a benevolence fund that lifted the heavy financial strain of cancer treatment.
<p class="indent">For an appointment, call 431-7887.
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The health fund will serve women who are uninsured, underinsured or have extremely high deductibles.
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