Category Archives: Ascension

Taxpayer bailouts and massive gains from Wall Street investments helped Ascension the largest tax-exempt hospital system in the country glide through the coronavirus pandemic.

Why it matters: Dominant hospital chains like Ascension really haven't had to worry about their financial status during the pandemic, unlike smaller hospitals and safety-net systems, in part because those chains already accumulated massive rainy day funds over the years.

By the numbers: Patients still aren't going to Ascension's hospitals and doctors' offices as much as they were before the pandemic. But the Catholic system is still making a surplus from patient care as it treats sicker people, according to its most recent financial disclosure.

What they're saying: Ascension told its bondholders that the pandemic has cost the system "$1.9 billion in lost revenue and pandemic-related expenses," and that although the federal grants didn't completely cover that amount, it was "able to absorb the remaining negative financial impact through other operations."

Between the lines: Ascension is essentially a hedge fund that also happens to run hospitals and other care facilities.

Go deeper: Hospitals are making a fortune on Wall Street

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Ascension has weathered the pandemic just fine - Axios

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ASCENSION - Deputies are trying to identify two suspects responsible for around 20 vehicle burglaries Saturday night.

The burglaries occurred at several hotels in Donaldsonville and St. James between the hours of 10 p.m. and midnight.

"You have persons traveling through like myself, you think you are getting a peaceful night's rest, and then you wake up to mayhem in the morning," hotel guest Sharelle Lacey-Gibson said.

The suspects are seen on surveillance video walking up to vehicles and punching out the windows, removing valuables from the cars.

Authorities say the suspects were in an older model white Toyota Camry.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office at 225-621-4636 or call Crime Stoppers at 225-344-STOP.

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Ascension and St. James deputies looking for two suspects involved in recent string of vehicle burglaries - WBRZ

Owlcat Games has released an 'Ascension Trailer' forPathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, highlighting a major characterAreelu Vorlesh -the Architect of the Worldwound -in a comic-book style video.

You can check it out below, along with a recent Kickstarter update for the game.. For more information, you can check out the announcement information and combat gameplay trailer.

Hello Crusaders!

We are hoping you are enjoying the beta version of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. If you want to share your thoughts with the Owlcat team, please joinour discord, where we have a special chat in the beta section, just for your feedback! Wed love to read what you think.

But now lets talk about someone you may have met in the game already. The most hated person in all Mendev, one of the most powerful and dangerous spellcasters on Golarion, a half-fiend responsible for countless deaths - Areelu Vorlesh, the Architect of the Worldwound.

Despite Areelus infamy, little is actually known about her. Some say that back in Sarkoris she was a powerful mage, who was arrested by Sarkorian witch hunters for practicing arcane magic, and thrown into the prison meant only for the most dangerous of casters - the Threshold. There Areelu somehow managed to open the rift between Golarion and the Abyss which became eventually known as the Worldwound, and initiated the demonic invasion of Golarion.

Now whenever something sinister happens, such as a crucial crusader victory suddenly turning into the ashes of a crushing defeat - Areelu can be seen on the battlefield. What is her plan? What is she trying to achieve?

Will you be the one to answer the questions that have been gnawing at the crusaders for almost a hundred of years?

Watch our new trailer, which you helped create during our Community Quest, and meet Areelu Vorlesh, the Architect of the Worldwound.

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Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Ascension Trailer - RPG Site

The Amite River, Amite River Diversion Canal, Tickfaw River and all other waterways in Ascension and Livingston parishes will reopen 6 a.m. Friday, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Officials in both parishes announced Thursday afternoon that the waterways would be reopened early Friday after they were closed the morning of May 18.

Intense, heavy rain that dropped upwards of 14 inches in less than 24 hours early last week caused flash flooding and quickly led waterways to rise.

Brandi Janes, Livingston homeland security director, said water levels are expected to have dropped down to safe enough levels by Friday morning.

Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment made a similar announcement Thursday.

Ascension and Livingston share the Amite River and Amite Diversion Canal. Both are popular boating areas on the weekend and during holidays.

The parishes previously closed waterways last month, also due to heavy rains.

Officials in Ascension warned boaters to be "mindful of areas where high water remains, passing structures at idle-only speed, and to also be alert for floating debris and submerged objects."

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Waterways in Ascension, Livingston to reopen Friday ahead of big weekend - The Advocate

IBERVILLE PARISH Both Ascension and Iberville Parish are using extra tools to help drain Spanish Lake.

The backwater has been stuck in neighborhoods in Geismar, Prairieville and St. Gabriel since last Monday. Until the levels go down, homeowners cant escape the water.

This is the third time Daisy Comeaux has had to deal with standing water creeping up to her home and quilt shop near St. Gabriel.

The store is closed, and it will be closed for further notice, Comeaux said.

Water from Spanish Lake is covering the walkway to her store Cottage Creations and Quilts.

"We're paying for drainage taxes, and nothing is being done. The AquaDams get put up, but we still flood. All of the neighbors have to sandbag, Comeaux said.

Wednesday morning, parish officials put new relief efforts in place. The Iberville Parish President was able to open up three flood gates on Manchac Road. They were rebuilt after the 2016 flood to move water from Spanish Lake to Bayou Manchac.

"It's a $3.5 million gate that, in a 24-hour period, is taking 485 million of gallons of water into Manchac and getting out of here, Iberville Parish President Mitch Ourso said.

Ourso says, each day, an inch and a half or two inches of water will leave the Iberville side of the road.

"It's a slow process, but it is flowing, Ourso said.

Just up the road, water is also flowing out of Spanish Lake through pumps into Bayou Manchec in Ascension Parish. The goal was to have six pumps in operation, but Parish President Clint Cointment said they have come across some challenges installing them. So at the end of the week, the parish is going to cut through Alligator Bayou Road at Fish Bayou for additional drainage.

"We're working for the same goal to protect our people, Ourso said.

Comeaux hopes these efforts will get rid of the standing water near her home and business.

"This is not what we want the new normal for 2021. This needs to be over with, Comeaux said.

She said she can't wait until people can get back inside her quilt shop.

This is my income, and it's something to look forward to for our quilting community, she said.

Iberville Parish also deployed 13,000 feet of AquaDam. Those will be decommissioned in the next five to six days. Around 140 homes flooded in Iberville Parish.

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Iberville and Ascension Parish work to drain Spanish Lake basin - WBRZ

EVANSVILLE, INDIANA (WEHT) Officials at Ascension St. Vincent said traditionally, getting a patient admitted to a catheterization lab for a heart attack could make for a lengthy process.

EMS arrives and assesses the patient, does an EKG, and usually diagnoses the heart attack in the field. Then the patient is transported to the emergency department where theyre diverted into the emergency department, another EKG is performed, and the patient is assessed by the ER doctor, Dr. A.J. Voelkel, interventional cardiologist at the hospital, said.

But the hospital is now working with EMS workers across the tristate to cut down the time it takes to get a patient into the catheterization lab. Theyre removing some of the emergency room time through the use of an app. Eyewitness News was taken along for the ride in a simulated situation showcasing what actually would happen if EMS responded to a call where the patient was showing symptoms of a heart attack.

We were able to use that data through the E-Bridge app that we have hooked up with St. Vincent, send the information to the hospital, which then alerts the ER which called for a cath lab to be ready, paramedic Tim Vollmer told Eyewitness News.

Officials said this then solidifies that partnership between EMS and other hospital staff.

It allows them to see what we see. It allows them to understand what were trying to tell them in a more realistic manner, Vollmer said.

Voelkel said this most importantly provides better care to patients by cutting down on the time it takes to get them to proper care.

The quicker we can get the patient care, quicker we get that artery open, the better they are, Voelkel said.

Eyewitness News also contacted Deaconess Health officials who said they also use the same app in their emergency rooms.

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Ascension St. Vincent Evansville begins usage of app to better help heart attack patients - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)

By Fr. Mike ParaniukSt. Mary Catholic Churchand St. Benignus Church

A race of aliens visits earth one day. They come in peace and even speak English. All the government and religious leaders want to speak to the aliens.

When it's the pope's turn, he asks: "Do you know about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?"

"You mean J.C?," responds the alien. "Yeah, we know him. He's the greatest, isn't he? Jesus swings by every year to make sure that we are doing OK."

Surprised, the pope follows up with "He visits you every year? It's been over 2,000 years, and we're still waiting for his second coming!"

The alien sees that the pope has become upset at this fact. They try to calm the pope by saying "Maybe he likes our chocolate better than yours?"

The pope retorts "Chocolates? What does that have to do with anything?"

The alien says When Jesus first visited our planet, we gave him a big party and a huge box of chocolates. What did you guys do?"

The Good News is not that Jesus came to Earth. The Good News is not what we humans did to Him, but what Jesus did for us.

The Good News is that Jesus died and rose to new life. Jesus destroyed the greatest evil our world has ever known death. Jesus restored the greatest joy that humans can ever know life forever. Jesus calls you to believe this Good News and proclaim it by your life.

What happens to your life when you accept the call to believe?

Expect these three things to happen: 1) God will make your heart good. A good heart will be known by its loving fruit. He will protect you from the poison of sin in this world. If the snake of temptation bites you, God will not allow any demon to have power over you. 2) You can frequently talk with God in a new language called prayer. A believer will hear God when He speak. 3) A good heart, listening to God speak, will always find God and know His will. It really is not too difficult to find God.

The bible says, Then you will call upon Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13.)

Three nurses appeared before St. Peter at the pearly gates. St. Peter said to the first, "Tell me what you did on earth."

Said she, "I was a birthing room nurse. I helped bring hundreds of precious babies into the world."

"Enter!" said St. Peter. Then he turned to the second. "And how about you?" he asked.

She replied, "I was a trauma unit nurse. I helped save hundreds of lives of people involved in terrible accidents."

"Enter!" cried St. Peter and turned to the third.

"I worked for an HMO," she admitted. "Over the years, I saved my company hundreds of thousands of dollars by refusing extended care to people who were trying to bilk the system."

"You may enter!" said St. Peter.

"You really mean it?" asked the nurse incredulously.

"Yes," replied St. Peter. "You've been pre-approved for three days."

If you have a good heart, listen to the Lord and use your life to do Gods will. Jesus will approve you for an unlimited days of joy. The theologian Max Lucado wrote, On the eve of the Cross, Jesus made His decision. He would rather go to hell for you than go to Heaven without you.

Happy Ascension Sunday.

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Sermon for the Ascension of Jesus, Mark 16:15-20 - The Highland County Press

Teresa Collins, Marco Fernandez-Schklar, Michelle Robertson, Joanna Slagle and Sam Stratton, Guest Columnists Published 4:47 p.m. CT May 11, 2021

Tim Adams and Gordon Ferguson, executives for Ascension and Saint Thomas in Middle Tennessee spoke with Tennessean opinion editor David Plazas. Nashville Tennessean

Nurses are demonstrating a high level of resolve, creativity, and attention to detail despite working more hours than ever before.

America has always honored those who serve society as nurses. In recent years, however, we have come to appreciate more than ever the complex and expanding role which nurses play in our health care system.

Those lines sound as if they were written about the unique challenges of 2020 and 2021, but that paragraph is actually from the spring 1974 proclamation in which President Nixon declared May 6th through 12th the first National Nurse Week.

As we celebrate nurses this year, Ascension Saint Thomas wants to highlight a few of the many deserving associates serving Middle Tennesseans with bravery in times that nursing school could have never predicted.

Daily, these caregivers demonstrate grace under pressure, willingness to adapt in extreme circumstances, and profound commitment to hopefulness.

Nurses are serving as role models and sources of inspiration while carrying unprecedented personal burdens.

Emergency Department Nurse Becky Styll receives a COVID-19 vaccine from Debbie Mahoney, R.N., at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.(Photo: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)

Registered Nurse Therese Miller of Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West works with compassion and eagerness despite losing two of her loved ones to Covid-19 complications.

When she got vaccinated, she clutched a black-and-white photo of her beloved mom and aunt. Therese feels proud to have been vaccinated in their memory and she wants to share their story as a way to combat vaccine hesitancy.

At Ascension Saint Thomas River Park, behavioral health nurse manager Mandy Gay and occupational health nurse Carrie Freeland have devoted hours to coordinating and staffing vaccine clinics for colleagues and community members alike.

Jill Guiness and Melissa Flemming have been leading similar initiatives at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, where clinic offerings have included dedicated vaccine clinics for pregnant women.

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Meanwhile, at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, RNs Michelle Hawkins and Deanna Bratcher managed some of the first vaccine clinics in the state specifically for school teachers. Nurses Glenda Meredith of Murfreesboro and Peggy Okuneff of Nashville both came out of retirement to serve on the front line and help run vaccine clinics.

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Determined to bring cheer to worried parents for the 2020 holidays, RN Kim Meek of the Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown campus spent hours hand-crafting beautiful Halloween and Christmas costumes for each NICU baby.

She began this tradition in pre-COVIDtimes, but decided against allowing the pandemic to halt her creativity. Instead, Kim recruited her coworker Olivia Horne and the two worked in tandem to create the most adorable batches of costumes yet.

As history-making snow and ice descended upon Middle Tennessee this February, nurses Wesley Green and Tiffany Jones drove on precarious roads for hours in order to safely deliver colleagues from their doorsteps to Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown.

At sevenmonths pregnant, Emergency Department nurse Lauren Wilcocks hiked to the end of her hilly subdivision with boots and ski poles so that she could be picked up and driven to work at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West.

Jim Pegel brought a blow-up mattress so that he could stay at the West campus for five days and nights to care for patients in departments across the hospital.

Nurse practitioner Franklin Grauzer receives a high-five from his daughter, Emerson, 5, after he received a COVID-19 vaccine at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.(Photo: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)

At the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford NICU this spring, Jocelyn Curada hung dozens of colorful Easter decorations across the unit walls to bring symbols of hope to parents and her fellow caregivers.

Meanwhile, Kayla Cochran, Sarah McGowan, and Abigail Martin orchestrated a beautiful baptism ceremony for an end-of-life patient at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford a day before he peacefully passed away.

And nurses are demonstrating this level of resolve, creativity, and attention to detail despite working more hours than ever before.

Ashley Hillis and Kaytlyn Franklin of Ascension Saint Thomas River Park, for example, have been working days, nights, and weekends in every department of the hospital.

Nurse-in-training Amber Underwood often drives to work at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford with her mom, RN Wendy Underwood.

Wendy says, laughing: After every shift, Amber gushes about how much she loves her job and how great her coworkers and patients are. I have to remind her that I already know from years of first-hand experience.

Instead of being intimidated by the pressures facing todays caregivers, student nurses like Amber seem inspired by present realities and optimistic about the part they will play in establishing the new normal.

As that 1974 presidential proclamation asserted, nursing is a role that is evolving and has become increasingly complex in recent history. Willingness to assume new tasks, to adopt changing best practices these are trademarks of the career. But it is hopefulness that is the guiding principle of so many nurses actions and perhaps their most notable attribute.

Ascension Saint Thomas thanks our nurses, and nurses everywhere, for the ways they are serving us, inspiring us, and giving us hope.

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Co-authored by: Teresa Collins, chief nursing officer, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford; Marco Fernandez-Schklar, chief nursing officer, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown; Michelle Robertson, chief operating and chief nursing officer, Ascension Saint Thomas; Joanna Slagle, director of nursing, Ascension Saint Thomas River Park; and Sam Stratton, chief nursing officer, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West.

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Nurses at Ascension are serving up hard work and hope in hard times | Opinion - Tennessean

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Ascension River District Hospital at 4100 River Road in East China Township on May 10, 2021.(Photo: Bryce Airgood/Times Herald)

Its a special job to care for hospitalpatients, especially during a pandemic, and a foundationis asking for community help tothanklocal health careworkers for doing just that.

Ascension St. John Foundation,which raises funds forMichiganAscension hospitals,is launching a Caring for our Heroescampaign and will hold an appreciation event forAscension River District Hospital employees Thursday, saidLorraine Owczarek, the foundation's chief development officer.

She said during the pandemic peoplehave madepostersandsentcards to hospitals to show their appreciation for healthcare workers, but sometimes smaller hospitals like Ascension River District Hospital get missed.

We just want them to know we didnt forget about them, she said.

Sothe foundation islooking to members of the community to help cheer on and hand out roses of appreciation to the hospital's'local heroes,' at 6:30 a.m. Thursdayfor about45 minutes.

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People will meet at the East China Township hospital at4100 River Road at the main entrance and emergency department entrance for the event.

Owczarek said hospital shifts change at 7 a.m., sopeople will be able to cheer for peoplecoming intowork andleaving.

She hopespeople come out to the event and said there aresuch warm and caring people out there."

If someone is unable to make the Thursday event,the foundation is also askingfor thank youcardsand appreciation notes to be dropped off at bins near the hospitals main entrance and emergency department entrance.

Any participation is welcome, she said.

Ascension River District Hospital at 4100 River Road in East China Township on May 10, 2021.(Photo: Bryce Airgood/Times Herald)

Contact Bryce Airgoodat (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.

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Community asked to help support local heroes at Ascension River District Hospital Thursday - The Times Herald

Humberto Fontova to address Ascension GOP Roundtable

Humberto Fontova, author, columnist and sportsman, will be the speaker at the Ascension GOP Roundtable sponsored by Ascension Republican Women at 11:30 a.m. May 20 at the Clarion Inn on La. 30 in Gonzales.

Fontova was born in Cuba and, together with his family, immigrated to the United States in 1961. He grew up in New Orleans, graduated from the University of New Orleans and received his master's degree from Tulane University. An avid sportsman, he penned his first book, "The Helldivers' Rodeo," in 2001. Fontovas third book, published in 2005, was "Fidel: Hollywood's Favorite Tyrant," a political and emotional expose' about Fidel Castro and the only totalitarian dictatorship in the Western Hemisphere. Fontova continued with the political genre in "Exposing the Real Che Guevara: And the Useful Idiots who Idolize Him" and "The Longest Romance." In a return to the sportsman theme, Fontovas latest book is the rollicking Louisiana tale "Crazy on the Bayou."

Cost for the lunch is $22, collected at the door. The event is open to the public and guests are welcome. Reservations are requested. RSVP at (225) 921-5187 or email ARWrUS@aol.com

The Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office is teaming up with State Police and other law enforcement agencies for the National Click It, or Ticket initiative to take place May 24 through June 6.

During this period, deputies will be conducting random seat belt checks, enforcing Louisiana seat belt laws and educating the public on the importance of how a seat belt can help save lives.

This statewide initiative is funded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.

Ascension Parish government is providing Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

The free vaccinations will be offered for six weeks, Mondays through Saturdays, until June 5. Vaccination hours will each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Everyone aged 16 years and older is eligible to receive this vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome, but those wishing to preregister can do so online at https://laredcap.oph.dhh.la.gov/surveys/?s=EP34HFE77F. Complete the form, then choose Lamar-Dixon as your site.

Additionally, the Ascension Parish Health Unit in Gonzales is still offering the Moderna vaccine. Call (225) 450-1425 for an appointment.

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Take off Pounds Sensibly meets starting with weigh-in at 9:15 a.m. and meeting at 10 a.m. every Thursday at the fellowship hall at Carpenter's Chapel Church, 41181 La. 933, in Prairieville.

Dues are $5 a month. For information, call Miriam Sanchez at (225) 202-8521.

The Ascension Parish Library is launching a new ongoing project titled "A Photographic History of Ascension Parish." With funding from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the library is asking for your help in preserving the unique history of our parish. The program starts at 6:30 p.m. May 18. Speakers will include program scholar Edward Benoit, coordinator of the archival studies and cultural heritage resource management programs at LSU; and local historian Ira Babin. This event can be attended either in person at Ascension Parish Librarys Gonzales location or on Zoom. Registration required. Space may be limited. Social distancing and masks will be required. To register or for more information, call the library at (225) 647-3955.

Funding for Rebirth PL grants has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities and administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act economic stabilization plan. Additional funding is provided by the Union Pacific Foundation.

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Around Ascension for May 5, 2021 (copy) | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate