We're turning 15!

Living Healthy

Marrero Clinic: 504.309.3262

Gretna Clinic: 504.509.4800

A Newsletter for the Priority Health Care Community - First Quarter 2025

Events and Health Awareness Days

February

National Heart Month

Black History Month

March

National Women's History Month

National Nutrition Awareness Month

March 8

International Women's Day

March 10

National Women & Girls AIDS Awareness Day

March 26

American Diabetes Alert Day

March 30

National Doctors' Day

March

Colon Cancer & Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Call 504.309.3262 or 504.509.4800 to schedule an appointment.

April

National Minority Health Month

April 5th

Sistah Strut

PHC is turning 15!

This April, Priority Health Care will reach a significant milestone celebrating 15 years of providing quality health care in the community. In numerology, the number 15 symbolizes a cadre of characteristics, including leadership, family, nurturing, idealism, restoration, and healing, to name a few.

Since opening its doors as a non-profit organization April 5, 2010, PHC has provided leadership in health education in a nurturing environment with the idea of “creating a community of people living healthy lives.” PHC’s origin story began a few years earlier when Tamara Boutte Dioubate, now chief executive officer, began providing case management services for Dr. Tlaloc Alferez, a primary care physician who moved to the Westbank to provide much needed services to HIV clients.

In 2013, PHC opened as a full-fledged community health center with Dr. Osei Prempeh, who is currently still providing primary care at PHC, and three clinic staff members.

Over the past decade and a half, PHC has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, with a staff of more than 60, PHC services include not only case management and primary care but pediatric care, on-site pharmacies, mental health, HIV and STI prevention, health education and other services that impact health outcomes of patients/clients.

Priority Health Care Staff - 2010

Pictured: Top Row (L-R ) Tonja Sorrell, Tammy Rayford, Maru Helmcke, and Angela Thomas

Bottom Row (L-R ) Tamara Dioubate, Karen Bennett, and Deanice Scott

PHC has also grown its footprint in the community with the purchase of the three-story building at 4700 Wichers Drive in Marrero (2018), opened its Gretna clinic in 2016 and subsequently bought another building in 2021. The Gretna Clinic relocated to the remodeled and renovated building at 12 Westbank Expressway in 2023.

Over the years, PHC consistently receives Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) awards in key service areas by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). PHC has also received recognition and re-certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) provider. In March 2021, PHC’s onsite pharmacies received accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and continues to achieve re-accreditation.

These stellar health services are made possible because of the leadership and caring staff who uphold the values and mission of PHC by providing patients/clients and the community with health education and quality care.

Congratulations on 15 years of shepherding critical health care and ancillary services to the community!

(Note: Throughout the year, we will spotlight significant milestones in recognition of PHC’s 15^th anniversary. Stay tuned…)

Prevention Program launches new Prevention Video and

"Get HiPP " IG

As part of PHC’s ongoing social media marketing strategy, PHC's prevention program recently launched a new video reel promoting PHC as a "Partner in Prevention" of HIV/AIDS and STIs. The reel is currently posted on PHC's IG, FB, and You Tube pages. Click here to watch reel.

In addition, a “Get HiPP” Instagram page will launch in March. Outreach/Prevention Services will be integrally involved in providing information in coordination with our marketing team for posts and reels that promote frank talk about sexual health.

The High Impact Prevention Program (HiPP) IG, continues to focus on safe sex and preventing HIV/AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Where appropriate, “Get HiPP” posts will be in collaboration with @priorityhealthcare, the main IG page for PHC. We hope you will follow us and engage with us on our “Get HiPP” IG.

March 25th is American Diabetes Alert Day

According to the CDC, 98 million people (1 in 3) 18 or older have pre-diabetes and 90-95% of diagnosed cases are Type 2 Diabetes. The CDC says about 38 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don't know they have it. As of December 2023, over 52,000 Louisianians were newly diagnosed and treated for diabetes.(Louisiana Department of Health Medicaid Expansion Dashboard Outcome Report) Obesity is a significant contributor to Type 2 Diabetes. Over 41% of adults in the U.S. are obese. For non-Hispanic Blacks that number is 49%. Diabetes can be a debilitating disease, but Type 2 is preventable!

March 30th is National Medical Doctor's Appreciation Day

"Wings & Stethscoopes: Healers of Hope" reflects the idea that doctors selflessly and tirelessly work to lift up America's families through two powerful symbols.

PHC want our doctors to know that we appreciate them "everyday." Please take a moment and express your gratitude to our doctors.

Brandi Gilmore, MD Director of Behavior Health

Osei Prempeh, MD

Family Practitioner

Hannah Duggan, MD Pediatrician

Black Medical History Spotlight

“A Medical Giant”

Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, MACP

Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) -

one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Dr. Rodgers, a native New Orleanian, was also raised in New Orleans and attended school here in the sixties and seventies. His mother was a public health nurse, and his father was a high school science and public health teacher.

He received his undergraduate, graduate and medical degrees from Brown University in Providence, R.I. and completed his residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Rodgers’ areas of scientific focus include cell biology, genetics and genomics, molecular biology and biochemistry, stem cell biology and health disparities.

Dr. Rodgers is widely recognized for his investigative research and his contributions to the development of the first effective – now FDA approved- therapy for sickle cell disease.

After serving in several positions with the NIDDK, including, deputy director and acting director, Rodgers was named Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in April 2007.

In addition to his work as a research investigator, Dr. Rodgers has made strides in significant collaborations on modified blood stem-cell transplant therapy that is highly effective in reversing sickle cell disease in adults.

Dr. Rodgers has received myriad of honors and awards for his research including the Arthur S. Flemming Award, the Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award, and the Legacy of Leadership Award, to name a few.

Photo: National Institutes of Health

Sources: Journal of Clinical Investigation article: A Conversation with Griffin Rodgers in section called Conversations with Giants in Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7773351/pdf/jci-131-145540.pdf

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7773351

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/meet-director/directors-biography

Marrero Clinic: 504.302.3262

Gretna Clinic: 504.509.4800