Where locals used to try on dresses and suits at the old Mall St. Vincent Sears will become a new state-of-the art research building for LSU Health Shreveport.
According to an architectural rendering, it will be labeled: LSUHS Cancer and Cardiovascular LSU Health.
Chancellor Dr. David Guzick made a surprise announcement at "An Evening for Heroes - Celebrating Heroes, Healing and Hope," which was held at the Shreveport Convention Center. The event raised over $536,000.
As for the old Sears facility: "LSUHS leadership partnered with LSU Health Sciences Foundation, which purchased the property for its benefit," according to a press release. It also said a timely expansion of research space is essential to retain and recruit research talent. The facility has 160,000 square feet of interior space on 18 acres, with more than 800 parking spaces.
"Evening..." is a fundraising event presented by Ochsner Health and hosted by LSU Health Shreveport Foundation.
It serves as a platform to honor and celebrate Shreveport-Bossier community's first responders, physicians, nurses, allied health professions and other healthcare providers who each play a vital role in saving lives of patients at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, according to the program. "Evening..." tells stories of the many who took care of two different patients, following them from the time the first call goes out until they leave the hospital. The program thanked the patients "for allowing us to tell their incredible stories."
Ochsner Health was the Presenting Sponsor and LSU Health Shreveport Foudation hosted. A shoutout to 2024 chairs: Dr. Mike and Caitlin Busada.
"We continue to be amazed at the generosity of this community in supporting 'An Evening for Healers,'" said Kevin Flood, president and CEO of LSU Health Shreveport Foundation. He said the foundation was grateful for Ochsner's support, "as well as every sponsor who ensures the agency remains a pillar of this community for years to come."
For 13 years, the fundraiser has drawn a packed crowd of VIPs, which one year included U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson before he was Speaker of the House. This year, Johnson regretted, but made an appearance via a video. In the past, governors and LSU presidents and LSU Women's Basket Ball Coach Kim Mulkey have also RSVPed. He was program listed, but LSU President William F. Tate IV regretted because of Hurricane Francine challenges.
The theme for the evening: "Aiming High ... Together Stronger."
"The patients' documentaries were produced by CRM Studios and retold the inspiring stories of patients whose lives were saved thanks to their team of healers," said a press release.
The patients: Mackenzie Kelso, a Louisiana Tech soccer player who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest at practice one day, and Clayton Moock, a Haughton resident who suffered extensive, severe burns and subsequent life-threatening infections when a natural gas pipeline he was inspecting exploded.
Makenzie Kelso
Recruited from Colorado, Mackenzie joined the Louisiana Tech Soccer Team in 2023. Born with heart defects, she had a pacemaker, but was medically cleared to play soccer. During a practice held off-campus, Mackenzie suffered cardiac arrest and no one at practice knew CPR. The Ruston Fire Department responded quickly and when she was stabilized treated at Ochsner LSU Health, "She made an remarkable progress discharged to an in-patient rehabilitation facility. Mckenzie then returned to Tech for classes and soccer training.
Clayton Moock
At what should have been a normal day in the spring of 2022, Moock and a coworker were severely burned while inspecting a natural gas pipeline that exploded near Barksdale Air Force Base. Taken to the regional burn center at Ochsner LSU Health healthcare workers determined he was burned on 71-85 percent of his body. "Clay endured hundreds of surgeries, life-threatening infections, months in the hospital, and weeks at an in-patient rehabilitation facility," according to program information. "Returing home 13 months later he was greeted warmly by family, friends and his large community of supporters," said the program.
Among the healers for Kelso: Ruston Fire Dept Artur Christian, John Davis, Dillon Lockwood, Harrison McCaslin, James Speller; Pafford Air One Jeff Atkins, Tony Scalia: LSU Health Shreveport Drs. Ryan Jones, Marco Quispe; Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Rachael Cates, Inez Esparza, Conley McRae, Erin Huey, Hannah Hawkes.
Some of Moock's Healers: Life Air Rescue Michael Baker, Maranda Granger, Rich Rivera; LSU Health Drs. Ajit Alexander, Melodie Blackmon, Kathryn Richardson, Kevin Sittig, Nicolas Zaunbrecher; Ochsner Jason Adams, Reagan Beckwith, Meredith Mclain, B.J. Netterville, Hunter Thompson.
"Evening for Heroes" Golden Moments:
Since the fundraiser kicked off, 29 moving patient stories have been shared, more than 930 first responders and healthcare heroes have been honored and more than $4 million raised for LSU Health Shreveport.
Special Memory: Valent services provided "In memory of Fred and Willetta Moffitt. Other "Event underwriters for specifics: Welcome Reception, Dhristus Shreveport-Bossier Health System; Invitations, Sid Potts, Inc.; Programs, Brentwood Hospital.
You know those special Healer Medals seen around necks of the heroes? They were provided by Lee Michaels..
Among the local power pack seen and being seen
- Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and First Lady Elizabeth
- Bossier City Tommy Chandler and First Lady Paula
- State Rep. Larry Bagley
- Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson and wife Tonya
- Centenary College President Chris Holoman and Connie Martin Sapp
- Andrew Yurochko
- Dr. James and Marie-Alice Hobley
- Caddo Commssioners Roy Burrell and Victor Thomas
- Cathy Burrell, a former "Evening..." Chair
- Marianne Comegys
Among top sponsors:
- Dr. Susan Gatti and husband, former state Sen. Ryan Gatti
- Dr. Cennis J. O'Callaghan
- Dr. Guzick and Dr. Donna Giles
- Bill and Frances Comegys
- Dr. Michael T. Scurio
- Mike and Eileen Adkins
- Dr. and Mrs. William A. Byrd
- Clinton Rasberrys- Jr. and III
- Betty Henderson
- Dr. Anne Bryan
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Go inside 'An Evening for Heroes'
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