Given that Halloween is on the horizon, do you want to hear something scary? 

Lung cancer. 

Did that run a chill up your spine? It should have. It’s the number one cancer killer in Louisiana – but it doesn’t have to be.  

With early detection – which can be accomplished through a simple, quick and painless lung screening – the five-year survival rate after a lung cancer diagnosis is as high as 92%. 

That’s why St. Tammany Health System this year launched United in Pearl, a monthlong push to recognize November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month and, in the process, to promote the lifesaving nature of lung screenings. 

As part of our efforts, we invite you to join us at Fontainebleau State Park this Saturday (Nov. 4) from 9 to 11 a.m. for a free one-mile lung cancer walk to raise awareness and to honor those who can’t join us. 

In addition to the walk, there will be food from barbecue cookoff pros Swinel Richie, children’s activities, a chance to win a Jose Balli oyster necklace – and, of course, lung cancer screening assessments and other educational opportunities.   

No registration is necessary. Just lace up and show up. We’ll take care of the rest.  

Meanwhile, below find your monthly dose of headlines from the St. Tammany Health System newsroom.  

Happy reading – and happy Halloween! 

Proving you’re never too little to costume (especially in South Louisiana), St. Tammany Health System’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit recently celebrated Halloween by dressing up its little pumpkins for the holiday.

There was a hungry little caterpillar. There was a sweet-as-can-be cupcake. There was a tub of popcorn, a princess, a superhero and more.

Click below for an irresistible sampling of photos, which are definitely more treat than trick, courtesy of the St. Tammany Health System NICU team.

This is the way  

Navigating the hallways of our flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital just got easier. The health system recently unveiled an electronic wayfinding system designed to guide visitors through the Covington hospital upon their arrival on campus. 

70 for 70 

As part of our 70-part series of STHS history articles counting down to our 70th anniversary on Dec. 1, 2024, we recently spotlighted our operating rooms, which have evolved greatly since the hospital was first built – and which are still evolving.

Healing Arts series returns 

On Sept. 26, St. Tammany Hospital Foundation’s Healing Arts Initiative hosted its latest gallery series, the first since being forced into COVID hibernation three years ago and showcasing more local artists and more artworks than ever before.

Introducing Aquablation  

St. Tammany Health System has become the second in the region and the first on the Northshore to offer robotic-assisted Aquablation therapy, a minimally invasive treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms due to an enlarged prostate.