logo
Annual community leaders appreciation breakfast at LSUS hosted by Healthy Blue La.

Annual community leaders appreciation breakfast at LSUS hosted by Healthy Blue La.

Yahoo28-03-2025
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Healthy Blue Louisiana held its annual Community Leaders Appreciation Breakfast on the campus of LSU Shreveport, bringing together local organizations and partners to discuss outreach initiatives for 2025.
The event, which has been a tradition for over a decade, serves as a platform to strengthen business relationships and recognize the contributions of agencies working to support the community.
Shreveport's Pinkie Wiggins is all smiles as she turns 100-years-old
During breakfast, attendees discussed key initiatives and upcoming projects. Dr. Heather Carpenter, executive director of the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research, delivered a featured presentation, Workforce Challenges in Today's Nonprofit Sector, addressing the hurdles nonprofits face in recruiting and retaining employees.
'Many resources were sitting in the same room, and a lot of people don't know what they don't know until they connect,' said Rashad Bristo, Community Relations Manager for Marketing-Healthy Blue. 'And when they connect, so many doors open, so many avenues open, and we're just glad to know that Healthy Blue can be a connecting partner.'
The event reaffirmed Healthy Blue's commitment to fostering collaboration and ensuring that organizations working to improve community well-being have the support and resources they need.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Healthy Blue Louisiana and Grace at the Greenlight Partner to Support Vulnerable Communities in New Orleans
Healthy Blue Louisiana and Grace at the Greenlight Partner to Support Vulnerable Communities in New Orleans

Business Wire

time16-06-2025

  • Business Wire

Healthy Blue Louisiana and Grace at the Greenlight Partner to Support Vulnerable Communities in New Orleans

BATON ROUGE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Healthy Blue Louisiana and Grace at the Greenlight, a New Orleans nonprofit at the forefront of serving people experiencing homelessness, are partnering to expand access to essential services such as food, shelter, and support for people in need. This collaboration highlights Healthy Blue's commitment to whole health by recognizing that true wellness includes addressing basic needs beyond traditional medical care. From food to housing to healthcare—Healthy Blue is building healthier communities across Louisiana. 'Healthy Blue Louisiana is committed to addressing the real-world challenges that affect health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents,' said Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, President of Healthy Blue Louisiana. 'Our support of Grace at the Greenlight reflects our continued effort to meet people where they are, build community partnerships, and deliver targeted, high-impact solutions that create lasting change. Together, we're advancing comprehensive physical, behavioral, and social health to build stronger, healthier communities across Louisiana.' Healthy Blue Louisiana continues to invest in the health and vitality of people across the state. Over the past few years, the organization has contributed more than $2.7 million to initiatives that strengthen workforce readiness, improve maternal and infant health outcomes, reduce food insecurity, and expand access to essential resources. Healthy Blue's partnerships and programs have contributed to a 17 percent reduction in emergency room visits and an 8 percent decrease in inpatient hospital stays among its members in Louisiana. By focusing on prevention, early intervention, and personalized support, Healthy Blue helps individuals and families achieve better whole health outcomes. Sarah Parks, Executive Director of Grace at the Greenlight, emphasized the importance of the partnership: 'This support from Healthy Blue Louisiana comes at a critical time. It allows us to expand our services and meet urgent needs in the community, and it shows what's possible when organizations come together with empathy and a shared purpose to uplift communities.' ABOUT HEALTHY BLUE LOUISIANA Healthy Blue is a managed healthcare provider that has been serving the state since 2012, and currently serves the state's Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion and LaCHIP programs. Healthy Blue, a joint venture between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Anthem Partnership Holding Company, LLC (parent company, Anthem, Inc.), recognizes the challenges low-income and underserved individuals face, and tailors its programs such that health plan members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Healthy Blue provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their healthcare. Also, through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain healthy lifestyles. To learn more about Healthy Blue, visit and follow the company on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) @HealthyBlueLA, and on LinkedIn @healthy-blue-louisiana. Grace at the Greenlight is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to offering individuals experiencing homelessness choices and providing for their basic needs—such as water, food, clothing, and community—in a compassionate manner that honors the human spirit. Since its founding in 2014, Grace has served over 350,000 meals, distributed more than 1.3 million bottles of water, and reunited over 3,250 individuals with loved ones through its "Going Home" program. The organization also operates a community clothing closet and is actively installing hydration stations across the city to ensure 24/7 access to clean drinking water. To learn more, visit

Grab the guys for a night out at the MLK Center for health & wellness event
Grab the guys for a night out at the MLK Center for health & wellness event

Yahoo

time13-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Grab the guys for a night out at the MLK Center for health & wellness event

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – How about a guys' night out but with a healthy twist! Healthy Blue Louisiana is hosting a free community event to highlight National Men's Health Month. On June 17, 2025, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the MLK Health Center & Pharmacy in Shreveport. There will be free health screenings and consultations for men 18 years and older. Representatives of Healthy Blue Louisiana will be available to share information about benefits, services, and community programs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Mara Briggs named new marketing director of Greater Shreveport Chamber
Mara Briggs named new marketing director of Greater Shreveport Chamber

Yahoo

time12-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Mara Briggs named new marketing director of Greater Shreveport Chamber

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce has named Mara Briggs as its new Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations. Minden Man of the Year: SAU grad earns community honors Briggs is a Logansport native and LSU Alexandria graduate with a strong marketing strategy and communications background. 'We're thrilled to have Mara join the Chamber team,' said Dr. Timothy Magner, President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber. 'Her creative vision and broad experience across digital and traditional marketing channels—spanning both small businesses and major corporations—will be a tremendous asset to our organization and the business community we serve.' Briggs will look to enhance the Chamber's brand visibility, member communication, and engagement at events and initiatives. She will also aim to continue the Chamber's mission of supporting local businesses and promoting community growth. Hope native Jacob Jones appointed to UAHT Board of Visitors 'I'm honored to join the Greater Shreveport Chamber and look forward to helping tell the story of our region's innovation, resilience, and growth,' said Briggs. 'Together, we can amplify the voices of our local businesses and create meaningful connections that strengthen our community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store