Tri-Parish Newsmakers

Stopa joins TRMC medical staff

Pediatric cardiologist Aluizio Stopa, M.D., has joined Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s medical staff.

Stopa sees patients ages birth to 18 at his office in the Medical Office Building, 604 N. Acadia Road, Suite 409.

Stopa received his medical degree from Faculty of Medicine of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora in Brazil. He is board certified in pediatrics with subspecialty certification in pediatric cardiology. In addition, he serves as director of outpatient pediatric cardiology at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, and is associate professor in pediatrics at LSU School of Medicine’s medicine department in New Orleans.

9 TGMC nurses named to ‘Great 100 Nurses’

Nine Terrebonne General Medical Center nurses have been named to the 2011 “Great 100 Nurses.”

The registered nurses are Harold Benoit, critical care; Gretchen Bergeron, house supervisor; Charlotte Boudreaux, women’s services clinical coordinator; Rose Cuneo, staffing coordinator; Lou Estay, director of operating services; Debra Lewis, charge nurse; Joy Martinez, director of case management; Lamar Pellegrin, emergency department clinical coordinator; and Lucetta Sweet, critical care nurse director.

The “Great 100” are nominated by their peers, patients, family, friends and colleagues, and exemplify concern for humanity and make outstanding contributions to the community and the nursing profession.

“I am incredibly proud of all our nurses that are being recognized as part of this year’s ‘Great 100 Nurses,’” said TGMC CEO and President Phyllis Peoples. “At Terrebonne General, we strive for excellence and push our staff to learn, grow and continue to live out our mission of providing exceptional healthcare with compassion.”

Verdin Black named Jackson Hewitt’s 2011 top tax preparer

Angele Verdin Black has been named Jackson Hewitt Tax Service’s 2011 “Tax Preparer of the Year” for the Thibodaux area.

The award is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of quality tax preparation, customer service, proactive learning and development and brand loyalty. Verdin Black was one of 20 honorees chosen from Jackson Hewitt’s nationwide network of over 25,000 tax preparers.

“The cornerstone of our business is our tax preparers, and their connection to the communities we serve,” said Philip H. Sanford, president and CEO of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. “I am truly honored to recognize Angele for her outstanding professionalism and delivery of exceptional tax preparation service to our clients, and for impressively representing and building the Jackson Hewitt brand in our Thibodaux market.”

Awan earns top healthcare management credential

Naveed Awan, FACHE, director of ancillary services at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders.

Fellow status represents the achievement of the highest standard of professional development. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years. Awan will receive his certification in the Fellow Convocation in Chicago during the Congress on Healthcare Leadership.

Awan has served as the hospital’s ancillary services director since 2006. He received his bachelor’s degree in cardiopulmonary science from the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, masters in health administration from Tulane University and doctorate in veterinary medicine from UAF. He is a registered respiratory therapist, licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and is president of the American College of Healthcare Executives-South East Louisiana Chapter. He serves as a member of the board of directors of several local organizations.

TGMC’s McNabb named certified legal nurse consultant

Teresita McNabb, nursing vice president at Terrebonne General Medical Center, was named as a certified legal nurse consultant (CLNC).

CLNC is the official certification of the National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants, the largest and oldest association of legal nurse consultants. The designation indicates specialized knowledge beyond the nursing degree, and allows the CLNC to provide medical consulting and nursing opinions as an expert on health, illness and injury, and the inner workings of the healthcare system. The main role of the CLNC is to serve as an educator for the nursing profession in regards to standards of care.

“I am extremely proud of Teresita’s accomplishments and her drive and willingness to continue to learn and grow within the nursing field,” said Phyllis People’s, TGMC’s president and CEO. “Her knowledge and expertise as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant will be beneficial to the growth of TGMC as we continue to strive to provide exceptional healthcare with compassion. Teresita’s diligence is what makes TGMC an industry leader in our community.”

TGMC earns ACR accreditation

Terrebonne General Medical Center has been awarded a 3-year accreditation in nuclear medicine by the American College of Radiology.

Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material, ingested by the patient, to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, including many types of cancers and heart disease.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed.

“At TGMC, we strive for excellence in all that we do and pride ourselves on providing our patients and community with the highest quality of care,” said CEO and President Phyllis Peoples. “This accreditation is a huge accomplishment for our hospital and reaffirms our hard work and dedication.”