Health Notes is an occasional listing of health happenings around Louisiana. Have something you’d like to share? Contact us at margaret.delaney@theadvocate.com.
SUN Bucks are back
The Louisiana Department of Health issued SUN Bucks in May and will continue throughout the summer.
The program provides $120 in grocery benefits to help ensure children who receive free or reduced-price school meals get the nutrition they need when schools are closed for summer break.
A majority of eligible children will automatically receive benefits and do not need to apply, LDH said. Sun Bucks will continue to be issued as applications are approved and additional children become eligible through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance (FITAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) or income-based Medicaid.
To request a replacement EBT card, call (888) 997-1117, visit LifeInCheckEBT.com, use the LifeInCheck EBT app, or call the SUN Bucks helpline at (833) 323-7482.
Ochsner brings tech to Baton Rouge
Ochsner Baton Rouge opened a new MRI suite at Ochsner Medical Complex-The Grove, at 10310 The Grove Blvd., set to begin serving patients in June.
The suite includes a 3 Tesla MRI which has a stronger magnetic field to provide superior image resolution and enable highly specialized imaging, including detailed views of small structures such as joint cartilage, as well as the most advanced imaging for breast and prostate care.
The new MRI suite is part of Ochsner Baton Rouge’s broader $50 million investment to expand facilities, recruit additional physicians and improve access to high-quality care across the region.
Tulane launches nursing track program
Tulane University announced a new academic opportunity that will give Newcomb-Tulane College students the chance to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, a more streamlined path to nursing.
The new nursing major, developed by the Tulane School of Medicine Program of Nursing, enables students to complete the core curriculum alongside required nursing prerequisites before advancing into the professional nursing program.
“It allows students to pursue a practice-based profession while fully engaged in the undergraduate experience,” said Brenda Douglas, dean of nursing, in a statement from Tulane.
The degree requires 120 credit hours, online instruction, in-person laboratory and simulation and clinical experiences across the New Orleans area. Students complete more than 800 hours of supervised clinical practice and graduate prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
Dr. Leanne Redman, who now serves as Academic Director of the Charles Perkins Centre in Australia, is an adjunct professor with Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La.
Two Pennington researchers nationally honored
Two researchers from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are named 2026 Excellence in Nutrition Fellows of the American Society for Nutrition, or ASN, recognizing their significant contributions to nutrition science and sustained engagement in the nutrition community.
Dr. John Apolzan, Director of the Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Laboratory, is a nutrition scientist at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La.
Dr. John Apolzan, director of the Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Laboratory, is a nutrition scientist whose research interests involve overseeing and managing human clinical intervention trials examining nutrition, physical activity and body weight outcomes across the life span. He is the co-inventor of the FoodImage and PortionSize apps.
Dr. Leanne Redman, who now serves as academic director of the Charles Perkins Centre in Australia and is an adjunct professor with Pennington Biomedical, is internationally recognized for her research on body weight regulation, women’s health, obesity and nutrition. Until recently, she served as Pennington Biomedical associate executive director for scientific education and director of the Pennington-LSU Nutrition Obesity Research Center.
The Excellence in Nutrition Fellows program recognizes ASN members who are at least 10 years beyond their terminal degree and who have demonstrated excellence through their professional accomplishments and service to the society.
