HJBR Mar/Apr 2026

34 MAR / APR 2026  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs Culotta has worked in the field of pulmonary medicine and critical care for more than 20 years. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, followed by a res- idency in internal medicine from Vanderbilt Uni- versity in Nashville. Culotta then completed a fel- lowship in pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine, also at LSU. He serves as an assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center. BRG will operate its Lung Nodule Program out of the new clinic. When a small spot is found on the lung, the program brings together a dedi- cated team to review each case and guide next steps. Patients receive clear communication, per- sonalized follow-up, and help coordinating any needed appointments, all in one place. If a lung biopsy or surgery is needed, patients have access to the latest robotic technology at BRG. The goal is to catch potential problems early, reduce delays, and give patients peace of mind by surrounding them with a team that’s watching closely and walk- ing with them every step of the way. The expansion of services demonstrates BRG’s commitment to providing high-quality specialty care throughout the Baton Rouge area, joining its extensive network of primary care clinics, Express Care urgent care clinics, and specialty centers. BRG Pulmonary Medicine is located on the hos- pital’s Bluebonnet campus at 8585 Picardy Ave., Suite 210. For more information, call (225) 237- 1940 or visit: https://www.brgeneral.org/location/baton- rouge-general-pulmonary-medicine. n for these indications. Other future potential uses are expected for this innovative technology. Cur- rently, Ochsner MD Anderson is one of only a select number of hospitals in the U.S offering this treatment. FranciscanMissionaries of Our Lady University’s Simulated Environment Teaching Hospital Receives Continued Accreditation Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s Simulated Environment Teaching Hospital (SETH) has received continued accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for teaching and education through 2030. The Society for Simulation in Healthcare grants accreditation through a voluntary process. The accreditation confirms that SETH meets national standards for simulation-based education. LDH Launches Inaugural Project M.O.M. Catalyst Site Hospitals Eleven inaugural catalyst site hospitals are work- ing with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Project M.O.M. (Maternal Overdose Mortality) to support recovery and healthy outcomes for moth- ers affected by substance use disorder (SUD). Project M.O.M. aims to deliver person-centered care navigation within a statewide system of coor- dinated care — ensuring that pregnant and post- partum women affected by substance use can access the comprehensive medical, behavioral health, and social supports needed to achieve healthy pregnancies and sustained recovery. The 11 inaugural hospitals are: • Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women, • Lakeview Hospital, • Lane Regional Medical Center, • Ochsner American Legion Hospital, • Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, • Ochsner St. Anne Hospital, • Opelousas General Health System, • Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, • Rapides Regional Medical Center, • Touro Hospital, and • Woman’s Hospital. These hospitals have committed to: • Align leadership and staff around a culture shift that treats substance use disorder in pregnancy as a medical condition and reduces stigma. • Implement universal verbal screening for substance use and standardized clinical pathways and training that support evi- dence-based care during pregnancy and postpartum. • Ensure timely initiation, uninterrupted con- tinuation, and coordinated transitions of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) across care settings. • Integrate naloxone distribution and educa- tion into routine clinical workflows. • Embed hospital-based perinatal navigators to bridge prenatal, hospital, postpartum, and regional care coordination. Learn more about Project M.O.M. at: ldh.la.gov/ProjectMOM FranU, Baton Rouge Alliance’s CYA360 to Host Global Entrepreneur JeffHoffman Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Univer- sity in partnership with The Alliance’s CYA360 are hosting entrepreneur and global business leader Jeff Hoffman to speak at FranU on April 9. The program, open to the community, will fea- ture two keynote sessions by Hoffman focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical strategies for applying those ideas. Attendees will participate in guided tabletop discussions designed to encourage engagement and reflec- tion, along with opportunities for networking throughout the morning. The event will conclude with a final reflection and key takeaways. Hoffman has been featured on major media outlets including CNN, Fox Business, Bloom- berg, and CNBC. The event will be held in St. Francis Hall on FranU’s campus at 5414 Brittany Drive in Baton Rouge from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Advanced regis- tration is required at: https://luma.com/xe4y1ive. BRGExpands Pulmonary Medicine Services with NewClinic Baton Rouge General (BRG) is expanding its pul- monary services with the opening of a new clinic, BRG Pulmonary Medicine, led by Roy Culotta, MD, FCCP. Roy Culotta, MD, FCCP