Tri-parish Newsmakers

Adams earns advanced certification in treating back, neck pain

Physicial therapist D.J. Adams, Cert. MDT, of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s rehabilitation department, recently earned certification in the McKenzie Method for treating spinal pain.

The McKenzie Method is a comprehensive therapy approach for the management of back and neck pain. This approach continues to be the most researched physical therapy-based method available. Adams is one of only 19 therapists in Louisiana to receive this certification.

To earn certification, Adams was required to obtain two years clinical experience; complete a four-part curriculum; be a licensed practitioner; and pass the written and practical exam administered by the McKenzie Institute.

Adams has been employed at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center since October 1995.

Business First Bank announces new execs

Business First Bank announced two changes among its top executives. Chief administrative officer Jude Melville has been named the company’s chief executive officer, succeeding Buddy Roemer, who will continue to serve as bank president. Also, chief credit officer Robert Bond is taking on the additional job of chief operating officer.

“The Business First Board is confident that Melville is the person to lead the bank forward toward solid growth and profitability and to improve and deepen customer services in our banking centers across Louisiana,” said David Pitts, Business First board chairman. “He has been an integral part of our organization from the chartering five years ago forward and we are proud to welcome Jude as CEO.”

Melville is a graduate of Harvard University and the London School of Economics and a former officer in the U.S. Air Force.

“I’m very excited about the chance to focus on further refining and improving our business boutique model and look forward to continuing to work with Robert and the rest of the team. We see a lot of opportunities in Louisiana’s future,” he said.

Bond has more than 25 years experience in corporate banking in the Louisiana market including the past two with Business First.

Business First Bank has banking centers in six Louisiana hubs, including the Bayou Region of Houma-Thibodaux.

Molter-Sundock named TGMC strategic business, quality development director

Beverly Molter-Sundock has been named Terrebonne General Medical Center’s director of strategic business and quality development.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in human resources administration from St. Leo University in St. Leo, Fla., Molter Sundock received her master’s from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Mich.

With more than 20 years of health care experience to her credit, Molter Sundock worked as director of performance improvement/risk management/patient safety and staff education and training in the public and private sectors before joining TGMC’s staff.

She was the senior patient safety analyst for The Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, reporting to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy. She has worked with all services of the Surgeon General offices, the National Center for Patient Safety and the National Institutes of Health.

Molter-Sundock was recently selected to the Biltmore Who’s Who Registry of Healthcare Executives of the Year.

She is a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma National Scholastic Honors Society; National Association for Healthcare Quality; and American College of Healthcare Executives. She is also an adjunct faculty at the University of Phoenix; former adjunct faculty at the University of Maryland; and former board member and co-chair of programs at American College of Healthcare Executives (New Mexico Chapter).

“I am extremely excited and very pleased to be a part of the Terrebonne General Medical Center team and the Houma community,” Molter-Sundock said.

Local framer awarded CPF designation

Deborah Price, owner of The Frame Shop & Gallery of Morgan City, has earned the Certified Picture Framer designation from the Professional Picture Framers Association. She is the only CPF designee holder in the Tri-parishes.

To earn the classification, Price had to meet rigorous qualifications, including successfully completing a 3 ?-hour, 150-question exam.

PPFA initiated CPF program in 1986 to raise the standards of the framing profession, improve education within the industry and recognize framers who demonstrate knowledge and skills of established professional criteria.

Phenow named Blue Cross CMO

Dr. Ken Phenow, MPH, has been named chief medical officer and senior vice president of clinical affairs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

As such, Phenow will provide clinical leadership and oversee the company’s medical staff. He will also lead quality-based clinical improvement and wellness programs and administer medical policy development.

Prior to joining Blue Cross, Phenow served as the senior market medical executive for CIGNA Healthcare in North Texas and Oklahoma.

Phenow is board certified in family medicine. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin through the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program. He completed residency training at Naval Medical Center, San Diego and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. Phenow also served tours of duty as a Navy physician in San Diego and Japan.

Phenow earned a master’s degree in health services administration and policy analysis from the University at California at Los Angeles School of Public Health. He also attended the University of California at San Diego, where he achieved bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and political science.

The new CMO is already at work on several key initiatives. “We have two immediate priorities,” he said. “First, we need to empower Louisianans to be more accountable by participating fully in their healthcare and thereby improving their health status. Second, we need to change the pay model for healthcare to one where physicians are reimbursed for the quality of care and outcomes they achieve, rather than how many services they provide.”

Phenow also said he believes it’s time to spread the word about wellness. “It’s true that about 70 percent of chronic disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes,” he said. “Our challenge is to speak to the hearts of 100 percent of people and get them involved in the easy process of healthy living.”

Sauce promoted to TFB branch leader

Erin Sauce has been promoted to branch lender at the 7th Street Branch of Teche Federal Bank.

As such, Sauce assists customers with their mortgage, home equity and personal loan requests at this location.

Sauce has more than 14 years of banking experience. She has been with Teche Federal Bank for five years. She is active in the community with the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce and as a volunteer with the children’s summer ministries at Patterson United Methodist Church.

Teche taps Gussman for branch lender role

Teche Federal Bank Vice President Elaine Gussman has assumed the duties of branch lender at its Morgan City branch.

Gussman, who has more than 40 years of banking, lending and finance experience, assists customers with mortgages, home equity and personal loan requests at the 7th Street site. She has been with Teche for 23 years.

In addition, Gussman is an active ambassador for the St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce. She is active in her parish at Holy Cross Church, where she has served for more than five years as secretary on the pastoral council; is the current chairman of the liturgy committee; and past president of the church altar society. She also teaches religion classes for Holy Cross Church and serves as a leader with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

Guidry named to Murphy USA Circle of Stars

Dan Guidry of Bayou Vista has been named to Murphy USA’s Circle of Stars for his performance in fiscal year 2010.

Guidry and his crew had the most improved fuel gallon sales, top customer satisfaction scores and top overall performance in the region. He was recognized at the annual company convention in Orlando, Fla., in late January.

In addition to being inducted to the Circle of Stars, Guidry received a ring designed by the company that also produced the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl ring. He and his wife were also given an all-expenses-paid trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Guidry is a 1985 graduate of Nicholls State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Murphy USA operates more than 1,000 stores in 28 states and has plans to expand to over 3,000 stores within the next decade, according to a company release.

Hildenbrand joins TRMC medical staff

Dr. John C. Hildenbrand IV, orthopaedic hand and elbow surgeon, has joined Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s active medical staff.

Hildenbrand received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Centers in New Orleans. He performed his orthopaedic surgical residency at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. Additionally, he completed a hand and upper extremity fellowship at Indiana Hand Center in Indianapolis.

Hildenbrand specializes in the treatment of arthritis, carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, congenital deformities, tendonitis, trigger fingers, cysts, fractures, tendon repair and other hand and elbow trauma. He is a member of the American Association for Hand Surgery, the American Society for Hand Surgery, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Louisiana State Medical Society.

D’Antoni joins TRMC’s sports medicine center

Larry D’Antoni, ATC, LAT, is the new coordinator of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s Sports Medical Center.

D’Antoni has more than 15 years experience working as an athletic trainer. He recently served as head athletic trainer for St. James High School.

D’Antoni earned a bachelor’s degree in heath and physical education from Nicholls State University. He is board certified by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, and is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Throughout his career, D’Antoni has served as president of the Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association, and has twice been named Louisiana High School Athletic Association All Star Trainer. He was inducted into the Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2007.

“With Larry’s experience as an athletic trainer Thibodaux Regional can provide superior guidance and training to our local sports teams and patients of our Sport Medicine Program,” Thibodaux Regional CEO Greg Stock said.

Joseph given TGMC Daisy Award

Terrebonne General Medical Center emergency room nurse Pandora Joseph is the hospital’s latest Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses recipient.

A nine-year member of the TGMC team, she earned her registered nursing degree last year. Joseph started working as an ER tech in 2002. Two years later, she received her certification as a licensed practical nurse.

“I am thankful and honored that so many of the patients I have cared for nominated me for this award,” Joseph said. “So on behalf of each one of them, I accept this Daisy Award. I set high standards for myself when it comes to patient care. My goal is to turn every sick frown into smiles of appreciation and thanks.”

The Daisy Foundation’s program recognizes the “super-human efforts” nurses perform daily. Mark Barnes and his family founded the Daisy Award in 1999. Terrebonne General Medical Center and 708 medical facilities honor nurses with the special award.

The Daisy Foundation’s overall goal is to help fight diseases of the immune system. Daisy has program to help fund research to improve treatment and ultimately cure Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, contribute to bone marrow and blood drives and provide support for ITP patients and their families.