Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions.  

Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council

The Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council offers expert and clinical advice to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Governor and the legislature to help address the needs of persons diagnosed and living with rare diseases.

Carolyn L. Moore of Prairieville has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Moore is a nurse practitioner for the Department of Corrections. She will serve as an advanced practice registered nurse who has experience in treating rare diseases.

Dr. Deiadra J. Garrett of Lafayette has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Dr. Garrett is a pediatric surgeon at Our Lady of Lourdes Physician Group Pediatric General Surgery Center. She will serve as a physician with experience in researching, diagnosing, and treating rare diseases.

Dr. Hans C. Andersson of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Dr. Andersson is the director of the Hayward Genetics Center at Tulane University School of Medicine. He will serve as a physician with experience in researching, diagnosing, and treating rare diseases.

Jantz M. Malbrue of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Malbure is a program manager with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, Genetic Diseases Program. He will represent the Louisiana Department of Health.

Jennifer L. Borrillo of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Borrillo is the director of the Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders at Tulane University School of Medicine. She will represent an academic research institution that conducts rare disease research.

Libby N. Airhart of Breaux Bridge has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Airhart is an EMT for Acadian Ambulance. She will serve as a caregiver for a person who is diagnosed with a rare disease.

Marissa A. Benchea of Thibodaux has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Benchea is a community engagement manager for Beam Feel Good. She will represent persons diagnosed with a rare disease.

Dr. Meredith W. Allain of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Dr. Allain is a medical geneticist for the Ochsner Clinic Foundation. She will serve as a geneticist.

Rodney K. Reese of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Reese is a process operation technician at BASF and member of the Sarcoidosis Awareness Foundation of Louisiana. He will represent a rare disease organization.

Dr. Ross C. Klingsberg of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Dr. Klingsberg is the adult cystic fibrosis program director at Tulane University School of Medicine. He will represent an academic research institution that conducts rare disease research.

Patient’s Compensation Fund Oversight Board

The Patient’s Compensation Fund is an off-budget unit of the state which is 100 percent self-funded and not pooled in the general fund. The Fund was created in 1975 to provide an affordable and guaranteed medical malpractice coverage system for the private healthcare providers in the state. It basically plays the role of an “excess insurer” of private healthcare providers. The law allows a provider to have financial responsibility for the first $100,000 of exposure per claim whether through insurance or security deposit and enroll in the Fund for the excess coverage and be under an umbrella of the cap on damages. The vast majority of health care providers are enrolled in the Patient’s Compensation Fund and pay surcharges for the coverage and protection provided. The Patient’s Compensation Fund provides protection for the healthcare system, keeping costs down, and providing a guaranteed pool of funds to pay those citizens injured from medical malpractice of private health care providers. 

Dr. Robert R. Newsome of LaPlace has been appointed to the Patient’s Compensation Fund Oversight Board. Dr. Newsome is a radiologist for Southern Radiology Consultants. He will serve as a medical doctor representing the class of health care providers contributing to the greatest percentage of fund’s aggregate surcharges.

Dr. David M. Broussard of Metairie has been appointed to the Patient’s Compensation Fund Oversight Board. Dr. Broussard is chair of anesthesiology at Ochsner Medical Center. He will represent the class of health care providers contributing to the greatest percentage of fund’s aggregate surcharges.

Louisiana State Board of Nursing

The Louisiana State Board of Nursing is responsible for safeguarding the life and health of Louisiana residents through the regulation of persons practicing or offering to practice as a registered nurse. The board also establishes minimum curriculum requirements and approves nursing schools.

Teresita E. McNabb of Houma has been appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. McNabb is vice president of nursing services at Terrebonne General Health System. She will serve as a nursing service administrator.

State Board of Commerce and Industry

The State Board of Commerce and Industry meets bimonthly and advises on applications for tax incentive programs, including Enterprise Zone, Industrial Tax Exemption, Quality Jobs and Restoration Tax abatement.

Marshall J. Simien of Lake Charles has been appointed to the State Board of Commerce and Industry. Simien is the president of Simien Law Firm. He will serve at-large.

Lafitte Area Independent Levee District

The purpose of the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District is to build and maintain levees around Lafitte, Barataria and Crown Point.

Kirby J. Nunez of Lafitte has been appointed to the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District. Nunez is site manager at Shell Manufacturing Complex for Turner Industries Group LLC.  He will serve as the nominee of the governing authority of Jean Lafitte and the legislative delegation from the area.

Interstate Commission for Juveniles

The Interstate Commission for Juveniles, the governing body of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, through means of joint and cooperative action among the compacting states, preserves child welfare and promotes public safety interests of citizens, including victims of juvenile offenders, by providing enhanced accountability, enforcement, visibility, and communication in the return of juveniles who have left their state of residence without permission and in the cooperative supervision of delinquent juveniles who travel or relocate across state lines.

Juanita M. Anderson-Hilton of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Interstate Commission for Juveniles. Anderson-Hilton is a program manager for the Office of Juvenile Justice. She will serve as the commissioner representing the State of Louisiana.