Fletcher regional director at clinic

Fast Pace Health’s Troy Fletcher, DNP, CFNP, is now serving as regional director of orthopedics.

Fletcher was born in Lake Charles and graduated from Sam Houston High School. He went on to get his bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1993 and worked in the ICU and ER.

He obtained his Masters of Science in nursing in 2001 with a certification in family nurse practitioner. In 1996, he began working for a local orthopedic group where he gained valuable knowledge as a surgical first assistant and orthopedic evaluations.

Later in his career, Fletcher worked as a consultant in employee health and on-the-job injuries for a local refinery. In 2009, he returned to orthopedics and worked for 11 years for an orthopedic group, where he helped start a fracture clinic, assisted in surgery, and continued his education in orthopedic evaluation.

In 2011, he completed his Doctorate of Nursing Practice and continued his orthopedic training. In 2020, he joined Fast Pace Health and began his role as regional director of orthopedics.

FSA election results announced

Calcasieu-Cameron County U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency has announced that Joan Habetz of Vinton was elected to represent her local administrative Area 5 (LAA) during the recent county committee election.

Anna Duhon Stokes of Sulphur will serve as the first alternate.

Robert Denison of Iowa, La., was elected to represent his local administrative Area 1 (LAA). Wilfred Danos Jr. of Iowa will serve as the first alternate. Gregory Simien of Lake Charles will serve as the second alternate.

Every FSA office is served by a county committee made up of local farmers, ranchers and foresters who are elected by local producers. Other members currently serving on the FSA county committee include John Gary Wicke and Keith Hensgens.

County committee members provide a service to local producers through their decision-making and ensure the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. They are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture.

Members conduct hearings and reviews as requested by the state committee, ensure underserved farmers, ranchers and foresters are fairly represented, make recommendations to the state committee on existing programs, monitor changes in farm programs and inform farmers of the purpose and provisions of FSA programs.

Theriot part of Fast Pace team

Jacob Theriot FNP-C has joined the Fast Past Health team.

Theriot, a native of Sulphur, is a graduate of Sulphur High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in nursing from McNeese State University. From there, he worked in medical telemetry and the ICU as a registered nurse.

Theriot found his passion for orthopedics at his next job, where he worked for six years in orthopedic surgery.

He then received his Master of Science in nursing from McNeese State University. He is a certified family nurse practitioner. While in school for his master’s degree, he was able to work with an orthopedic specialist to gain valuable experience as a health care provider in orthopedics.

Theriot joined the Fast Pace Health team in 2020. He practices at the Beglis clinic in Sulphur, as well as the Jennings clinic.

Cormier, Moncrief named to board

James “JC” Cormier, representing the West Calcasieu Community Center Authority, and Nicole Moncrief, selected by the city of Lake Charles, were recently appointed to serve on the board of directors of Visit Lake Charles.

Cormier has been involved in many civic and community organizations over the years including participating on the Louisiana National Airshow Committee, Red Cross Board of Directors, Zoo Wish Board, Team Citgo Board, Citgo Employees Club Board and serving as the March of Dimes chairperson. A graduate of Westlake High School and student of McNeese State University, his professional life spanned working for the Lake Charles Police Department, Citgo Petroleum as well as an EMT for West Cal Ambulance Service.

He retired after 40 years of working at Citgo, and he presently serves as chairperson of the Westlake Planning/Zoning Board, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury appointee to the West Cal Hospital Finance Committee as well as on the West Calcasieu Parish Community Center Authority Board of Directors.

Moncrief is the human resources manager for Sasol Chemicals America, and since 2010, she has held a wide range of positions including positive employee relations and collective bargaining management, diversity and inclusion initiatives, human resources competency development for leadership, and occupational health case management. In addition to serving as a volunteer for many local non-profit and community service agencies such as the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District Neighborhood Alliance and the Black Heritage Festival Gallery, Moncrief also serves as a board member for the Council for a Better Louisiana, Christian Baptist Church and the Louisiana Workforce Development Board.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in human resource management from Grambling State University. In 2018, Moncrief founded What Works, a 501(c)3 which specializes in offering unique life experiences for people of all ages.  In her spare time, she facilitates career development and planning workshops throughout the state to help individuals visualize their potential.

The CVB is governed by an 11-member board of directors. Willie Mount, appointed by the Chamber Southwest, is the chair; Nick Zaver, representing the Southwest Louisiana Lodging Association (city of Sulphur), serves as the vice chair, and Kane Mitchell serving on behalf of the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce is the secretary/treasurer.

Hospital first to use ExcelsiusGPS

Christus Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana has announced the addition of the world-class robotic guidance and navigation system called ExcelsiusGPS to its robust field of innovative tools.

Bringing the ExcelsiusGPS to the region was made possible with the help of the Christus Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana Foundation and its generous donors who gifted more than $1.1 million.

The ExcelsiusGPS neurosurgical robot is designed to improve safety and accuracy within the operating room through improved visualization of patient anatomy during procedures to help optimize patient treatment.

This robotic navigation platform is the world’s first technology to combine a rigid robotic arm and full navigation capabilities into one adaptable platform for precise alignment in spine surgery.

Two to lead  Operation HandUp

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance/Chamber SWLA announces the addition of two staffers who will lead Operation HandUP — a new agency initiative that will provide technical assistance to small and disadvantaged businesses in need of operational support. Michael Thomas will serve as the program’s business coordinator and Donna Aucoin will serve as a data input specialist.     

Thomas has over 30 years of business leadership and entrepreneurial experience. He has been an active member of Phi Beta Sigma, a store manager, a loan officer, and a business owner. As a business owner, he was recognized as Diamond Elite franchise owner generating over $350,000 in gross sales. Thomas has been a mentor and coach to many small local businesses in the region. He is a 1994 graduate of McNeese State University with a degree in business. In his role, Thomas will work directly with businesses enrolled in Operation HandUp. His duties will include business interviews, assessments, and the creation of action/service plans for businesses enrolled in the program.   

Aucoin has 34 years of work experience in bookkeeping, training, public relations, human resources and office management. She is a graduate of Sowela Technical Community College. Her duties will be in support of Thomas.