Our Lady of the Angels Health and LSU Health Host Day with the Angels at Bogalusa High School

November 30, 2023

Bogalusa, LA – The future of healthcare is reliant on the youth of our communities. That’s why a team of healthcare professionals and graduate medical education students from Our Lady of the Angels Health, LSU Health and the Southeast Louisiana Area Health Education Center (SELAHEC) spent a recent Thursday providing hands-on healthcare experience to nearly 30 Bogalusa High School students in the high school’s library. The space was set up with interactive stations including hands only CPR, respiratory, ultrasound, pharmacy, nursing, family medicine, nutrition and medical ethics.

Thanks to the vision and support of Bogalusa High School and Bogalusa City Schools leaders, the collaborative team pulled off a very successful inaugural Day with the Angels. This partnership pipeline event, modeled after LSU Health’s Day with a Doc program, is designed to give students with an interest in healthcare a chance to see what life is like as a medical professional. Students were exposed to a broad spectrum of careers – all of which are available to them right next door at Our Lady of the Angels Health.

“It was such a positive experience for our students,” said Dr. Eric Greely, Sr., Bogalusa High School Principal. “We are extremely grateful that Our Lady of the Angels Health and LSU Health approached us with this opportunity, so that our students can better understand the world of possibilities before them.”

As the event kicked-off, first-year LSU Rural Family Medicine Resident, Dr. Timilehin Oluseye, shared an inspiring message of hope and determination with the students. He spoke about his journey from Lagos, Nigeria, through Russia and the United Kingdom, to a renowned graduate medical education program in Bogalusa, Louisiana. He encouraged the students to “never give up regardless of obstacles and discouragement. I want my journey to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation to you all. I stand before you with the hope that we can transform not just the city of Bogalusa, but the entire world. Success can come when you give it your very last try. I hope one day each of you will tell your stories of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be a survival guide to all those you come behind you.”

Anything is possible for these students. Says Rafael Flores, Director of Mission Integration, Our Lady of the Angels Health, “This event was a huge opportunity for these high school students, and it was truly transformative for our team as well. What better way to explore the possibilities of careers in healthcare than to speak directly with those who are now practicing? We are excited to be a part of this collaborative partnership, and we are looking forward to the future.”

Through programs like Day with the Angels, students in rural Washington Parish can experience hope and opportunity to one day serve their community as medical professionals.