Ladies’ Night Out celebrates the “new” at St. James Parish Hospital
Published 12:00 am Saturday, November 2, 2019
- St. James Parish Hospital hosted Ladies’ Night Out, a night filled with both education and Southern hospitality.
LUTCHER — St. James Parish Hospital recently hosted its annual Pink Ribbon Ladies’ Night Out at the St. Peter Chanel Gym. This year’s event offered a night of Southern Hospitality and lifesaving education.
The sold-out event attracted survivors, caregivers and women eager to laugh and learn. “Hats Off to the New” was the Southern-style theme that played tribute to the program, which included information about new technology and a new physician.
There was even some dancing to celebrate survival success stories.
Rhonda Barber, representing GE Women’s Healthcare, offered surprising breast cancer trivia before she began her discussion on the hospital’s newest GE 3D mammography technology—which is supported by artificial intelligence cancer detection software. She talked about the sleek new design—the first mammogram created by women—that not only offered more robust imagining, but also a more comfortable experience.
Next on the agenda was LSU Healthcare Network’s Dr. Jennifer Malsbury, DO, FACS, who specializes in General and Minimally Invasive Surgery—including those related to breast cancer. Dr. Malsbury and CEO Mary Ellen Pratt walked around the room with microphones to offer an interactive question and answer presentation. Dr. Malsbury is a new physician and surgeon on staff at St. James Parish Hospital.
The night concluded with a talk by Zelda Chatman, five-year breast cancer survivor, who was diagnosed after testing by Dr. Charles McGaff, surgeon at St. James Parish Hospital. Zelda spoke about her journey and how the support of her both her family and work team helped to beat the disease. Following her brave story, nearly 50 breast cancer survivors formed a line in the center aisle of the room and each announced their name and years as a survivor.
Pictured at Ladies’ Night Out are Mary Ellen Pratt, left, and Rhonda Barber, right.
This year’s event was an overwhelming success thanks to the wonderful audience, hospital staff, speakers, sponsors, donors and volunteers. In addition to all speakers and volunteers, the hospital would like to thank Shell, Shell employees and the Shell Ladies of Steel. Shell was a corporate sponsor and employee volunteers helped set-up and cook. In addition, the hospital thanks Entergy Louisiana for a grant that supports breast cancer education in St. James Parish.
Additional pictures from the event can be found on the SJPH Facebook Page.
