Centenary names new head of counseling and health services
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Centenary College has named Jamie Wells ('13) as its new head of the Counseling and Health Information department.
Wells, a Shreveport-Bossier native, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Centenary and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Louisiana Tech University.
'Returning to Centenary in this role is nothing short of an honor,' said Wells. 'It truly means the world to me. This campus holds such a special place in my heart, and my greatest hope is to help students discover that same sense of belonging and purpose that I found in my time here. I am committed to creating a community where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.'
Signs of Stroke: what to know for Stroke Awareness Month
Source: Centenary College
According to a press release, Wells previously served in counseling roles in public schools and clinical settings. She became a Nationally Certified Counselor and remains involved in various counseling organizations. Wells' clinical work features a clinical trial dealing with culturally informed trauma counseling through text therapy.
'The mission of Centenary College's counseling and health services is to help students maintain physical and emotional well-being as they take on their educational goals,' the release stated. 'It is not a medical facility, but it does offer short-term counseling, which is free and strictly confidential. It also provides over-the-counter medications and medical and dental referrals.'
LSU Shreveport honors staff for 475 years of combined service
Wells said she has provided counseling services to individuals aged four to 72.
'Wells also will develop 'CHAT,' which is a Counseling & Health Advisory Team,' the release stated. 'She will conduct individual and group counseling sessions, and she will supervise graduate-level interns pursuing master's degrees in counseling. Throughout the year, Wells will guide and promote programming for various counseling and health topics.'
Wells said she hopes to complete a doctorate in counseling supervision and education. To learn more about Counseling and Health Information, visit centenary.edu/student-life/counseling-and-health-information.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man who survived a stroke in his 40s says it was caused by a 'seemingly harmless' turn of the head: 'Awareness is survival'
Carmi Levy was enjoying a bike ride on a sunny day in 2013 when a seemingly harmless turn of the neck caused a tear in his artery. Later that evening, he became paralyzed on one side and unable to speak clearly. Levy's wife — recognizing he was having a stroke — had their kids call 9-1-1 immediately. 'I probably wouldn't be here today if my wife hadn't known what was happening right when I collapsed,' Levy says. 'She knew about FAST from her training as a teacher, and she routinely discussed it at home so we were prepared if we suspected a stroke.' This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. This article was originally published in 2024. Many people aren't as lucky as Levy whose wife knew the critical importance of calling for medical help without delay. In the months after his stroke, he had many conversations with stroke survivors who had brushed off their symptoms and refused offers of medical assistance. Fears of long wait times at the ER even led one victim to ignore their partner's pleas to call 9-1-1. 'You should never fear a wasted trip to the hospital,' says Levy. 'It's better to be safe now than sorry later. With something as irreversible as a stroke, you don't want to take that risk.' June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada. Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in Canada, with one stroke occurring roughly every five minutes. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, approximately one million Canadians are living with stroke, with 108,000 strokes occurring each year. Knowing the signs of stroke can help increase your chances of a better recovery and even save your or someone else's life. Heart & Stroke launched its FAST campaign in 2014 to provide people with a simple tool for recognizing the most common signs of stroke: Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – Is it slurred or jumbled? Time to call 9-1-1 right away. Since the introduction of FAST 10 years ago, awareness has greatly increased, with a 2024 showing the number of Canadians who can name at least two FAST signs of stroke has doubled. However, new data reveals that only seven out of 10 Canadians know what a stroke can look like. According to Katie White, director of health systems at Heart & Stroke, reducing the time between the onset of stroke and arrival at a hospital can mean the difference between life and death, and also lower the chance of a lifelong disability. 'Anyone witnessing or experiencing the signs of stroke should call 9-1-1 or local emergency medical services (EMS) right away,' White tells Yahoo Canada. 'Lifesaving treatment begins the second you make that call." While awareness of FAST has increased, there are still gaps, with Heart and Stroke's poll showing disparities depending on gender, age, place of birth and race or ethnicity. "Many ethnically diverse communities are less likely to be familiar with the FAST signs of stroke," says White. 'We don't know for sure why these differences exist, but we're exploring targeted strategies to address these inequities.' This includes translating FAST materials into multiple languages and developing toolkits specifically for First Nations communities. The poll also showed that older Canadians are more familiar with the signs of stroke and more likely to take action, perhaps due to the belief that only older adults can be affected by stroke. As a stroke survivor in his 40s, Levy is no stranger to this misconception. 'At least one member of my medical team said she was surprised to see someone so young and healthy present as a stroke victim,' he says. 'There were a lot of raised eyebrows and a lot of discussion around the root cause of my stroke, because of my age.' White says that with three out of 10 Canadians unable to recognize the most common signs of stroke, there's still a lot of work to do. 'There are still not enough Canadians who recognize the signs and know to call 9-1-1 right away if they witness or experience them,' she says. Levy's experience underscores the importance of stroke awareness for everyone, regardless of age or health status. "I never had 'stroke' on my bingo card before it happened to me," he reflects. "I realize how easily things could have gone the other way if I hadn't been surrounded by a family that knew what to look for – and what to do when they saw it.' 'If so much as one person hears my story, learns, and acts, then that's everything to me,' he adds. 'Awareness is survival.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Celebrity fitness coach Kory Phillips celebrates 14 years of business in Shreveport
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Lovely Body Health & Fitness is celebrating 14 years making Shreveporters sweat. In a city where health and wellness are increasingly becoming a priority, Kory Phillips, better known as @IAmTheKingOfFitness, is celebrating an impressive milestone: 14 years in business as the owner of Lovely Bodies Health & Fitness. The two-day event kicked off with a boot scootin' line dancing class to get the body moving, followed by his signature Revenge Body workout on the second calorie-torching routine aims to burn over 1000 calories in just one session and earns rave reviews from clients and staff alike. His innovative training programs, motivational coaching style, and dedication to client success before and after photos have earned him a loyal gym clientele and nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram. Line dance instructor Breanka Thomas recounts her first time visiting the gym 'I went to the gym and fell in love. All the women from the page were in there with the same results. They all were working out with 50 and 60-pound weights in their hands and that was the wildest thing I'd ever seen.' Over the years, Phillips has made a significant impact not only on his clients but also on the community. For the past 13 years, the dedicated team at Lovely Bodies has consistently provided weekly meals to those in need, a tradition that continues even as the brand expands.. After opening his gym, he expanded to Atlanta and gained a reputation as a celebrity personal trainer, attracting clients from all walks of life, including influencers like Kai Cenat, business professionals like Angela Simmons, musicians, and fitness enthusiasts. For those looking to start their fitness journey or enhance their current routines, Lovely Bodies Health & Fitness offers virtual fitness classes that can be joined directly from the Shreveport studio. For more information or to sign up, you can contact Lovely Bodies Shreveport on Instagram or by calling 318-459-8050. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Free beginner BMX clinic to be held at Cargill Park in Shreveport
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Cargill Park BMX is hosting a free clinic for new riders and anyone interested in learning more about BMX. More than a game: How sports can support mental health Certified BMX coach and current Zero Moto team member Wells Cornette will host the clinic. 'BMX racing is a sport for everyone! We have pedal bike riders just starting out and guys who raced for Team USA at the World Championships. No one sits the bench! The track is a fun and safe space for everyone. CPBmx is also home to THE BEST track operators, dirt guys, and certified USABMX coaches in the business. Come check us out!' a press release stated. According to the release, the benefits of BMX include: Physical Health: improves heart health, balance, coordination, and strength Mental Health/Life skills: self-confidence, focus, determination, problem-solving, independence Social benefits: BMX is an individual sport, but there is strong camaraderie among track mates both locally and across the state. Cares Krewe celebrates 100 years of golf at Querbes The clinic will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 3:30 p.m. at Cargill Park BMX, 2800 Cargill Dr. in Shreveport. It is free and open to all ages. Guests can also participate in BMX races at the park (weather permitting), with sign-ups beginning at 5 p.m. and starting around 6 p.m. To race, participants must wear Long sleeves and pants, wear a full-face helmet, and have a bicycle. For more information, go to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
