Chancellor's Notes

April 7, 2006

We have a number of successes to celebrate this week.

The Department of Psychiatrys 11^th annual Sunday at Emerils raised $300,000. The sold-out event was put together by the Department and a dedicated corps of volunteers. The funding will support the mental health services our medical school provides to children and families, which have never been more needed. Since Katrina, Dr. Howard Osofsky and the Psychiatry faculty have provided statewide leadership for Louisiana Spirit, the Office of Mental Health Crisis Services response for impacted and displaced families; leadership and consultation for Project Serv, the Louisiana State Department of Education crisis response in meeting needs in schools following the disaster and displacement of children; direct services for first responders and their families in New Orleans and St. Bernard; 24/7 mental health response and back-up with a Help Line for crisis services throughout the State; training and support for crisis counselors, teachers, parents, and schools. They provided interventions and support on the cruise ships where first responders and their 700 returning children were housed. They conducted mental health screenings and resilience building services for more than 4,000 children in New Orleans, St. Bernard, and nearby receiving parishes with displaced children. They provided outreach consultation and training with SAMSHA volunteers to 15 district, charter, independent, and parochial schools in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. They have provided consultation and training for reopening child care centers meeting special needs of young children and families. They have also collaborated with the St. Bernard Unified School District to support the more than 2,100 children, families, and school personnel who have returned to the parish.  

The Camp Tiger Wine and Cheese Party was a great success. Thanks to all who participated. Our medical students raised $24,000 at the fund-raiser that was held in Baton Rouge for the first time. This represents about half of what is needed to fund this free week-long summer day camp for mentally and/or physically challenged children. Even if you missed the party, its not too late to support this incredible outreach effort. For more information, or if you know a family who might have a child who would like to attend Camp Tiger, please visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu/camptiger/ . 

This years Tiger Run was also very successful. Nearly 200 people participated, some runners, and some walkers. The medical students raised about $2,500 from registration alone. The proceeds will help the LSUHSC Student-Run Homeless Clinics in New Orleans to recover and reopen.   

Our New Orleans campus played a role in some excitement this week. A number of our properties were used in the filming of Deja Vu, a Touchstone movie starring Denzel Washington. The Tony Scott-directed, Jerry Bruckheimer-produced  project marked the return of the film industry to New Orleans as this is the first major motion picture shooting in town since the storm.     

We are pleased to be part of New Orleans economic recovery, contributing in many ways. Deja Vu is scheduled to be in theaters this Thanksgiving.