Richard named interim director

The Alliance to Fight Human Trafficking in SWLA has named Jimmie Richard as their interim director at a recent August board meeting.

A former board member, Richard will now be responsible for overseeing the Alliance to Fight Human Trafficking in SWLA board and helping the organization grow.

Richard serves as the director of marketing for Ranch Collective, a name, image, and likeness (NIL) collective supporting McNeese State University student athletes.

The Alliance to Fight Human Trafficking in SWLA is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to putting an end to human trafficking through education, advocacy, and action. This year, the organization has trained more than 390 people on the dangers of human trafficking, how to spot potential victims, and how to report suspected human trafficking.

Johnson named to LBF board

Jonathan L. Johnson of Lake Charles is a new member of Louisiana Bar Foundation 2024-25 Board.

The 2024-25 board was installed at the 38th Annual Fellows Gala by Chief Justice John Weimer.

The LBF is the single statewide funder fully committed to ensuring that our civil justice system is accessible to all. Through grants, we assist women, children, elderly, people with disabilities, newly unemployed, those facing loss of their homes, disaster victims, veterans and military families, and many others by providing services that go to the very heart of the health, safety, and security of many of our citizens and their families.

Other local members of the 2024-25 board of directors include the Hon. Cynthia Clay Guillory and Shayna L. Sonnier, both of Lake Charles.

LC Memorial recognized

Lake Charles Memorial Health System has been recognized by the American Heart Association for achieving the Target: Aortic Stenosis Honor Roll award through its commitment to improving care for this undertreated heart valve disease.

Facilities participating in this initiative receive the Honor Roll award by treating patients with a class I indication for aortic valve replacement according to current guidelines within 90 days, with either surgery or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Lake Charles Memorial’s TAVR program began in 2018 under the leadership of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. J. Gregory Lugo and Interventional Cardiologists, Dr. Edward Bergen and Dr. Christopher Thompson.

Aortic stenosis is one of the most common and serious heart valve disease problems; however, many patients are unaware or undiagnosed. More than 1.7 million Americans over age 65 have severe aortic stenosis, and without valve replacement, as few as half survive beyond two years.

The American Heart Association launched the Target: Aortic Stenosis initiative to improve patient outcomes, starting at symptom onset and diagnosis through timely and appropriate treatment. The program consists of evidence-based measure development to better identify and treat patients, as well as educational resources for patients and health care professionals.

Edmiston named treasurer

Visit Lake Charles President and CEO Kyle Edmiston has been appointed treasurer for Destinations International’s 2024-2025 Board of Directors.

In this role, he will continue serving on the executive committee, where he previously served as secretary. A travel and tourism industry veteran of 18 years, he will bring his extensive experience and dedication to this important role.

Destinations International is the global association for destination management organizations. It helps support tourism through community building, tools, advocacy, and ongoing professional development for its members.

Last summer, Edmiston was honored with the prestigious Destination Organization Leadership Award at the Destinations International Annual Convention in Dallas.