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During Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans television announcers Joel Meyers and Antonio Daniels interviewed Katherine Baumgarten, MD, medical director of infection control and prevention at Ochsner Health, during the second quarter. Baumgarten spoke about the Covid-19 vaccine and Ochsner's role in the distribution for local fans.

Ochsner Health has announced their latest drive-thru vaccination events will be held on Saturday, April 17 (7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.) and Sunday, April 18 (7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.) at the Shrine on Airline (6000 Airline Drive). First and second dose appointments of the Pfizer vaccine this weekend can be made at myochsner.org or by calling 844-888-2772.

Joel Meyers: It's an honor to have Dr. Katherine Baumgarten with us. Katherine is the medical director of infection control and prevention at Ochsner Health. First of all, I want to congratulate everyone in the area because I see these national maps and it's decreasing in the state of Louisiana so everyone is doing a good job it's safe to say, isn't it?

Baumgarten: It is. We're glad to see those numbers on the down turn. That's something we've been waiting for for over a year now. We're not there yet though. We still have a little ways to go but certainly it's encouraging that at least in this region, we are seeing the numbers start to downtrend.

Joel Meyers: Let's talk about the safety of the vaccine first of all.

Baumgarten: So the vaccine, I'm sure that your viewers have heard and have seen that there's been some concerns and there's been a pause on the J&J vaccine. We do know that that side effect is a very rare side effect, they're actually trying to see if the side effect is related. They've talked about some blood clots that are in the central nervous system. But again, we're trying to see and put a pause on the J&J and actually see if that's even correlated. The vaccines that we're currently giving are the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines. Those vaccines have been studied in multiple people and have been determined to be very, very safe.

Antonio Daniels: Katherine, does this vaccine actually prevent infection or just prevent the spread of it?

Baumgarten: So, this vaccine is very good at preventing infection. We know that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine can prevent up to 90% of serious infections and prevents death as well. So these things are very important to know and to consider when you're looking at vaccines and these vaccines are very effective. They're also very, very safe. So there's a few side effects that people may get when you get. When you get those side effects, you know that that vaccine's working. Normally, that might be some arm pain, a little bit of fever, flu-like symptoms, but those typically go away in 24 to 48 hours and are very short-lived and certainly much better than getting COVID itself.

Joel Meyers: The one thing you want to make sure is you're not going to be hospitalized. It's preventing death. I think everybody just needs peace of mind, don't they?

Baumgarten: They do. And of course, we've been through a lot with people being ill from COVID, from those that have had ill loved ones and from those that have died in our region and in the United States, but with a vaccine, we have hope. We know that people will not die if they can take the vaccine and I'm not sure what your experience was with the vaccine, but mine was I had a little bit of arm pain and soreness, you have to get a second shot with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. So with that second shot, sometimes you may have a few symptoms as well. But typically, as I said, those go away very quickly and then we do have that reassurance that we can prevent hospitalizations, we can prevent death, we can prevent serious disease from COVID once those vaccines are given. We really need to be sure that everybody gets vaccinated because we need to get to herd immunity and the only way to get to herd immunity is to either get the vaccine or get the disease itself. And certainly, we don't want everybody to have the disease itself. So getting the vaccine is the best way to reach that herd immunity so we can return to some sense of normalcy and be able to come back full-court-press at the Pelicans games, at Saints games, at those things that we love to do. We want everybody to be here and be present and be able to be here for these exciting and fun games.

Antonio Daniels: And you just talked about reassurance, you know, you talk to different people that are kind of thinking twice about whether or not to get the shot. What is some important information about the vaccine that you will want the public to know?

Baumgarten: I would want them to know that we have looked at it, we've studied it. I think people have concerns that maybe the vaccine isn't studied enough but really it's been studied quite well. And we have safety monitoring in progress. And that's one of the things they're looking at right now with the J&J vaccine, that safety program is working. And that's why we're looking at it a little bit closer and putting a pause on it. But the safety checks are in place, the vaccines are safe, and they prevent disease and we want to make sure people are protected.

Joel Meyers: Before we go to break, could you tell us about the upcoming events?

Baumgarten: Ochsner is sponsoring events. These are great events. If you haven't been or haven't heard about it, they're drive-thru events. They're very, very convenient, very efficient, very well run. And you can make an appointment at My Ochsner or you can call 1-844-888-2772 to make an appointment.

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Pelicans Gameday Q&A with Ochsner medical director Katherine Baumgarten, MD

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The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center is celebrating its grand re-opening today after the completion of a $56 million expansion, which began in 2018. The 115,000 square foot addition, majorly funded by a $20 million gift from Gayle Benson and her late husband, Tom Benson, in 2017, has doubled the size of the Cancer Center, increasing capacity to offer more high-quality cancer services and advanced clinical research.

This special occasion was commemorated virtually at 9 a.m. this morning, with remarks from Ochsner leadership and Gayle Benson shared across Ochsner Health, New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans social platforms and via email.

The newly expanded Cancer Center will continue to bring innovations to the fight against cancer close to home, making it one of the leading comprehensive destinations for cancer care across a multi-state region. Located on the campus of Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, the facility underwent extensive renovations and additions. More than 18,000 patients will be cared for annually by a multidisciplinary team of specialists and sub-specialists to meet the challenges presented by more than 20 different types cancers.

Key Features of The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center:

“I am so excited for the grand re-opening of the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer. This significant expansion will allow Ochsner to increase its capacity to successfully treat thousands of patients each year in an incredibly supportive and nurturing environment,” said Gayle Benson. “Over the years, my husband, Tom, and I have been fortunate to do what we could to assist Ochsner’s world-class team of physicians and caregivers in their mission to help patients and their families overcome this frightening disease. Today’s reopening is particularly fulfilling because it will mean more of our community’s families will see their loved ones win their battle with cancer. I am humbled by the selfless work that Ochsner’s talented team does every day and look forward to continuing to support their heroic work on behalf of our community.” 

The expansion also includes an increased offering of supportive services such as nutrition, acupuncture, psychology and genetic counseling provided by a team that specializes in caring for oncology patients.

These offerings underscore an important focus of the Ochsner multidisciplinary team approach: the social, physical and emotional impacts of cancer treatment. Furthermore, they will complement existing programming, including chemotherapy classes designed for patients and families embarking on chemotherapy treatment and support groups available to all members of the community. Educational resources and regular support groups open to both Ochsner patients and any member of the community seeking support as they or a loved one battles cancer will also continue to be offered.

Additionally, Ochsner will continue to grow its already robust clinical cancer research program, which offers patients access to early-phase clinical trials, cutting-edge drugs and anti-cancer agents through its Precision Cancer Therapies Program. Ochsner’s commitment to research and innovation is one of many reasons the Cancer Center is a regional destination for cancer care.  

“The newly expanded Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center offers more than just much needed extra space,” said Brian Moore, MD, FACS, medical director, Ochsner Cancer Institute. “It reinforces Ochsner’s commitment to collaborative, patient-centered care using the latest technology, innovative treatments and a holistic approach. This, of course, would not be possible without the generosity of Mrs. Gayle Benson and her late husband, Tom Benson, and many other donors who believe in our mission of providing personal and compassionate cancer care.”

Ochsner is grateful to those individuals, families and organizations who generously donate to the Ochsner Cancer Institute each year. In addition to the Bensons’ gift, the following donors have given more than $1 million in philanthropic support to make the Cancer Center expansion a reality: Paulette and Frank Stewart, Sheryl and Robert Merrick, Stuart Smith and Barry J. Cooper and Jackie Leonard.

The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer addition and expansion was designed by Rozas Ward and constructed by Woodward Design+Build.

The new facility is connected to the entire Ochsner Health network of facilities and physicians through Epic – Ochsner’s integrated electronic health record system, which enables Ochsner physicians to securely share patient information, resulting in a higher level of coordinated care across the system. Patients can also use personalized MyOchsner accounts to access tests results and schedule appointments online through personalized MyOchsner accounts.

The Ochsner Cancer Institute has cared for patients from all 50 states and 28 countries at its comprehensive cancer centers located throughout the New Orleans region, St. Tammany Parish, Baton Rouge and North Louisiana. In 2019, Ochsner served more than 32,000 adult and pediatric cancer patients. Five-year cancer survival rates for those treated at Ochsner continue to exceed the national average not only for the four major cancer malignancies of breast, colon, lung and prostate, but also several other types, including melanoma, head and neck, pancreatic, ovarian and cervical cancers.

Additional Ochsner cancer care expansions include a new, state-of-the-art cancer center in western St. Tammany Parish through a partnership with Ochsner and St. Tammany Health System. Slated to open in summer 2021, the 75,000 square foot center will more than double the space of the current cancer center in Covington.

The Ochsner Cancer Institute delivers advanced technology and treatment options such as precision therapies, early tumor detection programs and the largest clinical trials network in Louisiana so that patients do not have to leave the state for high-quality cancer care.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control released this year shows a drop in cancer death rates during the 20-year period from 1999 to 2018, resulting in a 26 percent drop overall, highlighting the critical difference routine cancer screenings can make in overall outcomes. Simply put—early cancer detection can save lives. It is critical to not delay medical care and that includes routine cancer screenings. All Ochsner facilities have implemented rigorous safety protocols and are committed to keeping you healthy. It’s important to talk with a doctor about when and how often cancer screenings should be done. Ochsner’s goal is to conduct 141,000 total additional cancer screenings by 2022.

To support the Ochsner Cancer Institute’s mission of providing multidisciplinary cancer care, please visit www.ochsner.org/donate. The 8th Annual Moonlight & Miracles Gala, this year a virtual gala to benefit the Ochsner Cancer Institute, will be Sunday, November 1, 2020. To purchase tickets and/or sponsorships, please visit www.ochsner.org/moonlightandmiracles or contact specialevents@ochsner.org.

For more information about Ochsner’s award-winning cancer care or to make an appointment, please visit www.ochsner.org/cancer-care.

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The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center celebrates expansion with grand re-opening

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Pelicans Josh Hart surprises Ochsner healthcare workers

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As our team navigates the evolving public health pandemic situation, we will provide updates to our fans, ticketholders and team partners as they become available.

In an effort to keep our Pelicans family and New Orleans area community safe, here are seven tips to keep your immune system healthy as we fight COVID-19 courtesy of Ochsner:

1. Have a planned daily routine, and stick to it.
Your body’s immune system functions better when it has a routine to follow, and works less well when you change up your daily activities.

2. Exercise daily.
Include AT LEAST one hour of physical exercise into your daily routine.

3. Keep up a healthy diet.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and healthy fats (like olive oil) helps keep your immune system strong. Greek yogurt helps keep the good bacteria in your gut healthy. Also, eat foods rich in vitamins C and D, which are important for immune function. Have your food prepared using herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, rosemary, oregano, and turmeric, which have been shown to be beneficial.

4. Keep stress to a minimum.
Set aside time in your daily routine where you can be quiet and alone. Use this time to read, practice meditation, or go for a quiet walk.

5. Keep in contact with loved ones.
Keep the number of people you’re around to a bare minimum, but stay in touch with people who support you. Even if just over the telephone, communicate with friends and family often.

6. Good sleep is FUNDAMENTAL in having a healthy immune system.
Practice good sleep hygiene. Have a set bedtime and a set waketime. And stick to them! Keep your bedroom dark. Close the blinds. Don’t leave a light on. Don’t leave the TV on. Leave your phone plugged in in another room so you don’t check it at night. Temperatures around 65 degrees Farenheit have been associated with the best sleep.

7. Don’t smoke.
COVID-19 is a virus that infects the tissue in your lungs, causing pneumonia. Pneumonia from COVID-19 can kill. Smoking tobacco, smoking marijuana, and vaping all hurt the immune system cells in your lungs. Smoking seriously hurts your body’s ability to fight off the virus if you come into contact with it.

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Pelicans & Ochsner COVID-19 updates: 7 tips to keeping your immune system healthy

Ochsner Fitness Bootcamp with the Pelicans

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Ochsner Hero: Desiree Harrison

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Ochsner Safety Clinic: Solomon Hill

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Ochsner Hero: Rochelle Lee

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