St. Mary Medical Center earns 2021 Leapfrog Top Hospital Award
Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center was named a Top Teaching Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. Announced today, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers recognized as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.
“It is such an honor to be recognized for the excellent care provided at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center,” stated Chris Mangin, CEO, “We have a fantastic team that has focused on patient care and satisfaction in a way that challenges us daily and makes each of us better. This is a great way to reward them for their hard work and passion.”
Over 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center received a Top Teaching distinction.
“We are pleased to recognize Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center as a Top Hospital this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Even with the continued strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to excellent health care in the Shreveport community. We congratulate the board, leadership, staff and clinicians who put their patients first.”
LSUS Finance Program Ranked No. 1 in Louisiana
LSU Shreveport’s Bachelor of Science in Finance has been ranked first in Louisiana and 15th nationally for its Real Estate concentration. The ranking comes from Bachelors Degree Center who recently published its Best Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate listing for 2022.
A Bachelor of Science in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate introduces students to careers in commercial and residential real estate. The four-year program is available 100% online and also on campus.
“We are pleased to have received this recognition and are proud to be an integral part of the Economics and Finance Department in the College of Business,” Dr. Douglas Bible, Professor and Department Chair for Economics and Finance said. “We feel our courses and professors are excellent and that the Real Estate Curriculum is one of the best in the country.”
LSUS’s finance degree is accredited by the AASCB, the longest-standing and most recognized form of specialized accreditation that an institution and its business programs can earn. In addition to the Real Estate concentration, the finance program offers concentrations in General Finance, Financial Analysis, Financial Planning Insurance, and Real Estate. All concentrations boast the benefits of licensure exam preparation, experiential internships, and more.
Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office promotes a veteran deputy
Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington promoted a veteran deputy in a ceremony Monday at in the Sheriff’s conference room in the Bossier Parish Courthouse.
Deputy Timothy Wooten was promoted to the rank of sergeant after 11-years of service in the Bossier Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Wooten started his law enforcement career with the Sheriff’s office in the Corrections Division as a correctional officer. After two years of service, he then transferred to the Criminal Division where he worked as a patrol deputy for three years. Wooten was then promoted to work as a detective and as a S.W.A.T team member. For the past three years, Wooten worked as a Digital Forensic Detective for the sheriff’s office.
“I’m honored to promote you to the rank of sergeant,” Sheriff Whittington said. “You are a sharp individual and I know you will make us all proud of the work that you do.”
With his promotion, Sgt. Wooten will be in charge of Digital Forensics for the Bossier Sheriff’s Office.
LSU Shreveport to Hold Four Commencement Ceremonies, First Time in Person Since Pandemic
LSU Shreveport will host its first in-person commencement ceremony since Dec. 2019, before the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
The university will confer summer graduates on Dec. 16, and fall graduates on Dec. 17. Both days will follow a schedule of two ceremonies split alphabetically, one at 9 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.
Educational institutions nationwide faced difficult decisions regarding graduation.
LSUS opted for virtual ceremonies to prioritize safety and to include students facing travel restrictions. Graduates particularly embraced the “Zoom wall,” a large-scale virtual screen that displayed each student attending via Zoom. Many graduates maintained the tradition of dressing in regalia.
“Crossing the stage at commencement is symbolic of closing one chapter in life and moving on to the next,” Darlenna Atkins, the LSUS Registrar said. “We are so excited that our graduates will have the opportunity to experience an in-person ceremony to celebrate their great accomplishment. One of the most rewarding parts of my role at LSUS is seeing the pride and joy of students and their families as they participate in the momentous occasion.”
Graduates or loved ones who cannot attend in person are welcome to watch the ceremony live on the LSU Shreveport Facebook page. Masks will be required for all in attendance.
“The university has made several precautions as we adhere to public safety concerns while continuing this commemorative tradition,” Atkins.
