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Reflections on a Year of Health, Progress, and Change: Our Commitment to a Healthier Louisiana Continues
Shelina Davis, MPH, MSW
Chief Executive Officer
As we wrap up the year, I’ve been reflecting on everything we’ve experienced together. It hasn’t always been easy. We’ve faced real challenges in our communities, in our work, and in the broader public health landscape. But even in the tough moments, I’ve been inspired by the compassion and determination I see every day.
We also have so much to celebrate this year. We lifted up community voices, built new partnerships, and moved important work forward in ways that truly make a difference for the people of Louisiana. None of this would have happened without the dedication of the LPHI team, our partners, supporters, and communities, all of whom care deeply about our mission of ensuring everyone has fair and just opportunities to be healthy and well.
Looking ahead, I’m hopeful. We have an opportunity to build on the progress we’ve made, to tackle new challenges with creativity, and to continue centering the well-being of every person we serve. I’m entering the new year with gratitude, determination, and a deep belief in what we can accomplish together.
Thank you for all you do. Here’s to a strong and inspiring year ahead.
| | Fostering Bipartisan Support for Paid Parental Leave for Louisiana's Public School Teachers | |
The Louisiana Senate Finance and Education Committees recently took an important step toward supporting families by discussing a policy that would provide six weeks of paid parental leave for all K–12 educators across the state. This proposal would allow teachers to remain fully compensated while welcoming a new child—whether through birth, adoption, or foster care, recognizing the critical role paid leave plays in supporting family stability, maternal and infant health, and workforce retention. As part of the broader conversation around Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), this policy reflects growing momentum to ensure working families have the time and support they need to care for one another without sacrificing economic security.
LPHI is proud to lead the Time to Care Coalition focused on expanded FMLA in Louisiana in partnership with A Better Balance, Invest in Louisiana, and the American Heart Association.
| Advocates celebrate a successful study committee hearing on paid parental leave for educators. Pictured here (left to right): Carmen McCoy, Erica Musgrove, Stacey Roussel, Sen. Sam Jenkins, Anne Jayes, Erica Williams, and Nick Harling. | Improving Integrated Care for Patients through the Power of a Health Information Exchange | | Overall, the MHSD integrated health approach, supported through the PelEx health information exchange, has succeeded in: | | Storytelling, Data, and Collaboration Converge to Enhance Public Health Across Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas | | |
LPHI, the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) Technical Assistance Hub provider across Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas (HHS Region 6), continues to bring health departments together to strengthen public health systems through collaboration, learning, and shared vision.
In December, LPHI convened, on behalf of The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI), partners from across all five states welcoming representatives from 13 of the 14 regional health departments, along with national technical assistants and regional partners. This annual PHIG Convening created a space for peer-to-peer learning and collective reflection on the future of PHIG. Guided by this year’s theme, Envisioning a Vibrant Region VI, participants explored storytelling as strategy using stories to elevate impact, share progress, and shape the future of public health data modernization.
| Data Modernization, Public Health, and People: Building Supportive Systems for the Future through Public Health Infrastructure | | LPHI, the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) Technical Assistance Hub provider across Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas (HHS Region 6), recently completed a six-session Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) series, hosted in partnership with the Texas Health Institute (THI). The Data Modernization ECHO series, spanning three months from September through November, connected 60 public health data and health IT teams from across the country, reinforcing a critical message: data modernization isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, collaboration, and continuous learning. LPHI data and health information experts led the virtual community sessions with their peers to share support and guidance, in order to disseminate and implement best practices across diverse disciplines to continuously improve and expand public health practice. | | |
LPHI CEO Shelina Davis has been named to the prestigious New Orleans 500, a recognition honoring leaders who drive innovation, growth, and positive change across Louisiana. This distinction reflects Shelina’s ongoing commitment to advancing public health, strengthening organizations, and supporting communities throughout the state.
This recognition comes on the heels of her year of serving as the Executive Committee Chair of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, where she played a pivotal role in guiding the Chamber’s strategic initiatives, championing economic development, and fostering collaboration among local businesses.
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Van Le, LPHI's PelEX Program Manager, has been named Chair of the 2026 Emerging Leaders Council at Civitas Networks for Health. The Council brings together rising leaders to collaborate, share ideas, and drive progress in health equity.
PelEX is more than just LPHI’s health information exchange. It is a growing network of leaders, providers, and partners working together to improve care across Louisiana. To learn more, visit pelexhie.org.
| Celebrating an Impactful 2025 in Tobacco-Free Living across Louisiana | As the year ends, the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, a program of LPHI and the Louisiana Cancer Research Center, is reflecting on the powerful impact made across our state to reduce tobacco and vaping use and prevent cancer. Through prevention efforts, cessation support, and policies that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, more individuals and families are breathing easier and moving toward healthier futures this holiday season. Here is a quick look at a few year-end numbers that capture our impact towards tobacco-free living in Louisiana: | | |
Free Mental Health First Aid Training Sessions
Youth Training Date
Thursday, January 28
Adult Training Dates
Wednesday and Thursday
January 21 and 22
February 25 and 26
March 25 and 26
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis through a culturally responsive lens.
MHFA is an evidence-based public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges and helps them understand appropriate detection techniques, interventions, resources, and referrals.
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Shaping the Future of Public Health, Together
Reporting Out on LPHI's Community Visioning Sessions
Throughout 2025, LPHI convened community workshops across the Gulf South to explore how public health systems and outcomes can be transformed to better serve communities. These sessions centered community voices, surfaced shared priorities, and helped shape a collective vision for the future of public health.
Join us as we continue this journey and report out what we heard. This gathering will offer an opportunity to reflect on key themes from the visioning sessions and engage in dialogue about what comes next as we work together to build a stronger, more responsive public health future.
Community Meeting - Part One: Vision
New Orleans
Friday, February 6
11 am
| | LPHI will be closed beginning Monday, December 22, and will reopen on Friday, January 2. | | |
Louisiana Public Health Institute | lphi.org | | | | | |
