Research indicates that mental illness affects approximately 20% of adults in the United States. Co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD) can be detrimental. SUD is a treatable mental illness that affects one’s ability to manage drug, alcohol, or medication use. Veterans face particular vulnerability when dealing with co-occurring disorders, which can present unique challenges. This educational activity aims to increase your knowledge of recognizing and responding to signs, symptoms, and behaviors of mental health and substance disorders in caring for patients with other physical health problems. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the potential outcomes for patients with a dual diagnosis.

Location …………………….……. Nicholls State University Betsy C. Ayo Hall Auditorium

Networking ………………………………………………………………….8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Presentation time…………………………………………………………….8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Credit……………………………………………………………………………5.5 contact hours

Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………$ 75

Speakers:

Brett Guidry LCSW– is the Clinical Program Manager at South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority. Brett received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Nicholls State University and her master’s degree in social work from Tulane University. Brett has had the privilege of collaborating with clients who experience mental health and substance abuse struggles in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Ashley Toney LMSW– Ashley has 14 years of combined experience as an LPN and social worker. She focuses on helping unhoused youth and families access mental health treatment. As Director of Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic (EPIC) Hub & Spoke, she supports clinical care, education, and research across Louisiana for patients with first-episode psychosis.

Angela Bramande, LPC-S, LAC, SAP, CCGC– is employed by South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority. She is professionally licensed in Louisiana to provide substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling, primarily focusing on providing substance abuse treatment services. She has also provided addiction and mental health assessments and therapies since 2015.

Annie Trahan Barahona, MNS, FNP-C, is employed by South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority and provides primary care services at the Terrebonne Behavioral Unit in Houma. Her primary focus is Medication Assisted Treatment and medical clearances for the addiction population.

Lori Gardner DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP, PMHNP-BC- is an Assistant Professor at Nicholls State University College of Nursing.

Andrew Williams, MD– is certified in Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine and has over 20 years of experience in this area.

Activity Learning Outcomes:

• Describe primary mental health disorders and effective strategies for integrative care.
• Demonstrate knowledge related to new developments in managing mental health disorders.
• Discuss the prevalence and nature of co-occurring disorders.
• Identify evidence-based practice for the treatment of co-occurring disorders.
• Identify the most common mental illnesses affecting veterans and their families.
• Describe treatment plans available for veterans who experience PTSD.

The target audience is registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

$10 LATE FEE IF NOT REGISTERED BY SEPTEMBER 22^nd.

Autoimmune diseases are chronic disorders where the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages healthy cells and tissues. There are over 80 different autoimmune (AI) diseases, making them the third most common type of disease in the United States. These conditions can affect various body parts and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. The endocrine and renal systems are two targeted systems affected by autoimmune disease. Individuals with autoimmune conditions may suffer from chronic kidney failure caused by renal injury, which can lead to dependence on dialysis. This activity will provide nurses with information to increase knowledge and understanding of the causes of autoimmune disease, manifestations, and management, focusing on endocrine and renal disorders.

October 26, 2023

Location …………………….…………………………………….…. Virtual Event via Zoom

Networking …………………………………………………………………8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Presentation time……………………………………………………………8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Credit……………………………………………………………………………5.5 contact hours.

Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………$ 75

Speakers:

Dr. Juan Sarmiento- is an endocrinologist at Ochsner Health. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Norwalk Hospital, affiliated with Yale School of Medicine in Norwalk, Connecticut. He did an endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism fellowship at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.

Dr. Ross Thibodaux- is a rheumatologist at Thibodaux Regional Health System. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Internship Program, followed by a Fellowship in Rheumatology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Thibodaux is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is a member of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Beau Boudreaux- Rheumatologist– is a rheumatologist at Thibodaux Regional Health System. He completed an internal medicine Internship and Residency at Chabert Medical Center in Houma. He completed a Fellowship in rheumatology at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Boudreaux is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology.

Dr. Shaminder Gupta-is the Chairman of Medicine and Nephrology at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center.  He has been serving the patients of the Bayou region since 2005 and has helped start the Leonard J. Chabert Internal Medicine Residency program in 2008, for which he served as Associate Program Director for 7 years.  He also cares for dialysis patients and is a proponent of home dialysis.  His clinic has achieved a 40 percent home dialysis rate and continues to lead the region in the utilization of home dialysis.

Activity Learning Outcomes:

• Summarize various endocrine disorders and management.
• Identify common autoimmune diseases and related complications.
• Recognize gender differences in autoimmune disease.
• Identify new immunotherapies for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases.
• Summarize current hemodialysis treatment options for persons with chronic kidney disease.

The target audience is registered nurses.

$10 LATE FEE IF NOT REGISTERED BY OCTOBER 20^th.

Managing infectious diseases is an ever-changing field that involves dealing with new conditions, potential complications from treatments, risks of drug resistance, and updated guidelines to ensure safe and effective management. Despite preventative and treatment efforts, healthcare- and community-associated infections still significantly cause morbidity and mortality. It has become increasingly apparent that social determinants significantly impact infectious and noninfectious diseases and mortality rates. Our living situation, behavior, and overall social, environmental, and economic context all play a crucial role in our well-being and chances of survival. This activity can help nurses learn about infectious diseases, prevention, and treatment in the community and healthcare settings.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Location …………………….………… Nicholls State University Betsy C. Ayo Hall Auditorium

Networking ………………………………………………………………….8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Presentation time…………………………………………………………… 3:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Credit…………………………………………………………………….……5.5 contact hours

Fee …………………………………………………………………………………………$75

Speakers:

Dr. Mary Eschete- is an infectious disease specialist in Houma, LA, and has over 48 years of experience in the medical field.

Dr. Eric Brooks- serves as the Region 3 (the bayou river parishes) Medical Director for the Louisiana Department of Health.

Jasmine Alexander MSW, MRTF, CSTS- is a Health Disparities Social Worker, LA Department of Public Health, OPH

Jennifer Folse BA– is a Health Disparities Strategist for the LA Department of Public Health, OPH, with over a decade of social services and healthcare experience.

Charlotte Boudreaux RN- is the Infection Control Manager at Terrebonne General

Activity Learning Outcomes:   

• Identify causes of common health-associated infections.
• Summarize the impact of community-acquired infections.
• Identify methods for infection prevention.
• Recognize how social determinants of health contribute to infectious disease.
• Discuss antibiotic resistance and stewardship.

The target audience is registered nurses.

$10 LATE FEE IF NOT REGISTERED BY November 27^th.

Neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), require care from multidisciplinary interdisciplinary teams who evaluate and treat based on the latest scientific evidence. School nurses are essential in collaborating with parents and other team members to develop individualized care plans for students with neurodevelopmental disorders to enhance their well-being and accomplishments.

Children with neurocognitive impairment often suffer from ongoing respiratory problems, which may necessitate a tracheostomy and specialized care. Children with tracheostomies commonly have asthma and may need a prescribed oral inhaler, especially following the cleaning and replacement of the tracheostomy tube. Asthma is also a leading cause of chronic illness among children. In fact, on average, about three out of thirty children in a classroom may have asthma. This educational activity centers on providing care for school-aged individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and respiratory conditions, including asthma and tracheostomy care.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Location …………………….………. Nicholls State University Betsy C. Ayo Hall Auditorium

Networking …………………………………………………………………8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Presentation time……………………………………………………………8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Credit……………………………………………………………………………5.5 contact hours

Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………$75

Speakers:

Brittani Wild, DNP, APRN, FNP-C – holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in family medicine and graduated from LSUHSC in 2017. Her focus for the last six years has been primarily on pediatric patients with neurological needs in inpatient and outpatient settings. She currently works at Ochsner Hospital for Children specializing in pediatric neurology with a patient population consisting of epilepsy, VNS therapy, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, migraine disorders, developmental delay, and tic disorders.

Dr. Robert Voight- received his medical degree from New York University Grossman School of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency and fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. His field of study is developmental pediatrics, and he has practiced for almost 30 years. Dr. Voight is the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development Medical Director at Ochsner Health in New Orleans.

Holly Leblanc RRT, patient educator at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. Graduated from Nicholls State University and has been practicing for 23 years. She is the Director of the Community Asthma Management Program (CAMP) at OLOL and the BREATHE project in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health. Holly offers asthma education classes regarding asthma, tracheostomies, and all things respiratory.

Activity Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss the epidemiology of various neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Identify early interventions for autism spectrum disorder.
• Summarize how nurses can guide and assist parents with children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Identify evidenced-based practices of asthma management.
• Recognize pediatric emergencies associated with tracheostomies.

The target audience is registered nurses and school nurses.

$10 LATE FEE IF NOT REGISTERED BY JANUARY 9TH

As an advanced practice nurse, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of pharmacology. Evidence-based care is essential when prescribing medications for conditions such as cardiac, pulmonary, mental health, and infections requiring antibiotics. This professional development activity, led by a team of experts in their field, will provide a comprehensive review of pharmacological treatment modalities for patients with these health conditions. In addition, a review and update on antibiotics will be provided, with an overview of the fundamental principles of antibiotic stewardship.

Friday, February 23, 2024

Location …………………….……. Nicholls State University Betsy C. Ayo Hall Auditorium

Networking ………………………………………………………………….8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Presentation time…………………………………………………………….8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Credit……………………………………………………………………………6 contact hours.

Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………$ 100

Speakers:

Darrell Prestenbach MSN, FNP- has 13 years of practicing as a nurse practitioner at Chabert Medical Center in the Behavioral Health Unit and seven years as a registered nurse. He has just received his certification for Addictions Nursing for advanced practice.

Amber Lewis RN, BSN, MSN, APRN, FNP-C- is a Family Nurse Practitioner currently an undergraduate and graduate instructor at Nicholls State University. She is certified by AANP as a Family Nurse practitioner. The majority of her nurse practitioner career has been in the role of interventional cardiology. 

Annette Windham FNP- specializes in Internal Medicine and practices at the Internal Medicine Clinic of Houma.

Jade D. Carrere, MSN, – specializes in pulmonary diseases and practices at Terrebonne General Health System.

Activity Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss medications routinely utilized in the treatment of patients with cardiac conditions.
• Identify pharmacology specific to acute and chronic pulmonary conditions.
• Identify the role of advanced practice nurses in antibiotic stewardship.
• Compare significant classes of antibiotics.
• Discuss the principles of prescribing psychiatric medications for treating mental illnesses frequently encountered in primary care settings.
• Differentiate pharmacotherapies prescribed for treating various mental disorders.

The target audience is registered nurse practitioners.

$10 LATE FEE IF NOT REGISTERED BY FEBRUARY 19TH.

Nursing care of patients often involves collaboration with other team members while caring for critically ill patients, surgical candidates, and those requiring wound care. Caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation requires teamwork, knowledge of care goals, and interventions based on best practices, patient needs, and response to therapy. Mechanical ventilation has become a standard treatment and requires nurses to be knowledgeable and confident. Perioperative nursing necessitates planning care with the surgical team and other healthcare providers, such as nurse anesthetists. Likewise, wound care decision-making is determined by interprofessional health care providers and evidence-based practice to prevent wound occurrence and improve outcomes.  This professional development activity is led by an interdisciplinary team that will provide updates on collaborative approaches and guidelines for caring for patients requiring ventilation, perioperative care, and wound care.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Location …………………….…………………………………………… Virtual Event via Zoom

Networking ………………………………………………………………….8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Presentation time………………………………………………………….8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Credit……………………………………………………………………………5.5 contact hours

Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………$ 75

Speakers:

Mark Voisin, MHS, RRT – holds a Masters’s in Community Health, Bachelor’s in Allied Health Sciences, and an associate degree in respiratory therapy technology. He worked for LSU Health Sciences Center for 34 years. Mark served as a former cardiopulmonary adjunct and clinical instructor for Nicholls State University.

Nicole Lecompte CRNA- has served as the Director of Anesthesia Services at Terrebonne General Health System for the last five years and has been a certified nurse anesthetist for 16 years.

Dr. Eric Jukes – is a general surgery specialist in Houma and performs surgeries at Terrebonne General Medical Center, Physicians Medical Center, and Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center.

Laina LeBeouf MSN, FNP- has 30 years in nursing, graduating with her MSN, FNP in 2009 from LSUHSC in New Orleans.  Laina has been a wound care nurse for 13 years, caring for patients in various healthcare environments. She presently works for Restorix Health, a leading wound care organization nationwide.

Activity Learning Outcomes:

• Identify distinct types of ventilators and ventilation modes.
• Discuss mechanical ventilation management.
• Recognize the several types of anesthesia used for various surgical procedures.
• Describe the nurse’s role in the peri-operative setting.
• Recognize current surgical advancements.
• Identify the latest developments in wound care and hyperbaric treatment.

 The target audience is registered nurses.

$10 LATE FEE IF NOT REGISTERED BY March 24^th