From the Heart: Of fried turkey and COVID vaccines

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 | Vol. 1, No. 10

Talking turkey – and giving thanks

For the snarky, the cynical and those who are just plain tired, the temptation this Thanksgiving is to give thanks – for nothing. The past several months have just been that grueling for everyone.

But, while we’re no stranger to a little playful snark, we at St. Tammany Health System certainly aren’t cynics. And so, even with all the difficulties we’ve had to endure this year, we see a lot for which to be thankful.

After all, it was this year – on Jan. 13, to be exact – that LSU capped the greatest college football season in the history of all mankind by delivering a national championship to Baton Rouge.

Admittedly, things took a pretty nasty turn soon thereafter, with the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on U.S. shores coming less than a week later. The upending of all of our lives followed fairly quickly.

But the worst of times always tends to bring out the best of people in South Louisiana, and COVID is no different.

We can’t help but be sincerely grateful for the determination and diligence of our healthcare heroes amid the pandemic. We’re also humbled by the continued outpouring of support from those in our community. Then there’s the incredible advancements being made toward a vaccine, which just might be the light at the end of the tunnel we’re all looking for.

Plus: fried turkey. We’re always thankful for fried turkey.

We hope you get your fair share of yours this week. Have a happy – and healthy – Thanksgiving.

From our kitchen to yours: Happy Thanksgiving

What are we thankful for this year? Our tireless colleagues who will be working this Thanksgiving -- and the fact that they won't go unfed, as STHS Executive Chef Abry Crosby explains.

Against all odds: How teamwork, tenacity saved a life

Like everybody else this time of year, Tony Magee is thankful, and for a lot of things.

Mostly, though, he’s thankful to be alive – and for the surgical team at St. Tammany Health System and its partners at Ochsner Health that, through a marathon display of planning, skill and deployment of technology, rebuffed a cascading list of worst-case scenarios to make sure he is.

“There’s a lot of this I don’t remember,” Magee said. “… But I’m thankful I’m here now. I’m thankful that I’m able to carry on my life.”

Even if Magee doesn’t remember much, Dr. Hamid Salam sure does. As the medical director of Cardiovascular Services at St. Tammany Health System, he remembers every minute of it, and vividly.

Read the full story

Blessed

As COVID-19 cases surge nationwide more than eight months into what has become a historic pandemic, members of the St. Tammany Hospice team made rounds at our Covington hospital to bless the hands of the caregivers and support staff there and to pray for their continued strength.

Flattening the curve – again

In an effort to stem a statewide surge of coronavirus cases that has played out over the past three weeks, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Tuesday he will sign an executive order to return the state to a “modified Phase 2” of COVID restrictions. Here’s exactly what that means:

A new home for cancer care

As a founding member of the St. Tammany Cancer Center, St. Tammany Health System has long been recognized as a leader in the fight against cancer on the Northshore. And now, its already robust suite of world-class cancer care offerings is growing – and moving into new, purpose-built digs.

Holiday hours

For the convenience of our community as the holiday season arrives, STHS has announced its 2020 holiday hours, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Click to learn more – and have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving, from everyone at St. Tammany Health System.

St. Tammany Health System