The Louisiana Primary Care Association congratulates Dr. Ralph Abraham on being selected to serve as the next secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. Dr. Abraham is well-known and well-respected among our membership. We know that, with his experience serving patients in rural Northeast Louisiana, Dr. Abraham is familiar with the health challenges facing our state’s most underserved and rural communities.

During his time in Congress, Dr. Abraham served as a champion for our Community Health Center members and an advocate for expanding access to healthcare services. When it comes to addressing social determinants of health, de-stigmatizing mental health services, improving rates of screenings and vaccinations, reducing chronic disease and leading on other important initiatives, we are confident that Dr. Abraham will provide valuable leadership and expertise.

We look forward to working with Dr. Abraham and Governor Jeff Landry. As we always have, the Louisiana Primary Care Association stands ready to serve as a resource and collaborative partner.

Finally, we also want to thank outgoing secretary Stephen Russo for his dedicated public service and his unyielding support for Louisiana’s Federally Qualified Health Centers. Under his leadership, Mr. Russo has advanced numerous programs and initiatives that will ultimately help to improve the health and well-being of residents across our state.

The Louisiana Primary Care Association’s Board of Directors has appointed Michael G. Griffin, MSPH, D.Sc., FACHE as Board President for the next two-year term, 2023 – 2025.

Dr. Michael G. Griffin, President & CEO of Ascension DePaul Services (ADS) and DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) in the greater New Orleans area and Arkansas, , leads the non-profit organizations with 180 years of history forward into the ever-changing landscape of health care with innovation and passion for the greater New Orleans areas they serve. As an expert and leading voice in the field of patient-centered care and quality, Dr. Griffin brings to this position a wealth of experience and deep commitment to high-quality, accessible, and equitable healthcare for all individuals.

“We are so excited to have Dr. Griffin’s vast experience and leadership at the helm of Louisiana’s Community Health Centers,” said Gerrelda Davis, Executive Director of the Louisiana Primary Care Association. “He has done so much for not only the communities his health centers serve but also for all medically underserved communities. His long history of advocacy and dedication gives me confidence that we will continue to see Federally Qualified Health Centers succeed throughout Louisiana.”

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Baton Rouge, LA – The Louisiana Primary Care Association’s Board of Directors has appointed Michael G. Griffin, MSPH, D.Sc., FACHE as Board President for the next two-year term, 2023 – 2025.

Dr. Michael G. Griffin, President & CEO of Ascension DePaul Services (ADS) and DePaul Community Health Centers (DCHC) in the greater New Orleans area and Arkansas, , leads the non-profit organizations with 180 years of history forward into the ever-changing landscape of health care with innovation and passion for the greater New Orleans areas they serve. As an expert and leading voice in the field of patient-centered care and quality, Dr. Griffin brings to this position a wealth of experience and deep commitment to high-quality, accessible, and equitable healthcare for all individuals.

“We are so excited to have Dr. Griffin’s vast experience and leadership at the helm of Louisiana’s Community Health Centers,” said Gerrelda Davis, Executive Director of the Louisiana Primary Care Association. “He has done so much for not only the communities his health centers serve but also for all medically underserved communities. His long history of advocacy and dedication gives me confidence that we will continue to see Federally Qualified Health Centers succeed throughout Louisiana.”

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The Louisiana Primary Care Association congratulates U.S. Representative Mike Johnson on his election as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. As a native of Benton, Louisiana, Speaker Johnson is the first native Louisianan to hold this powerful position within our federal government.

Since Speaker Johnson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, our organization and Louisiana’s Community Health Centers have enjoyed a productive and collaborative relationship with the Congressman and members of his staff. Over the course of his tenure in the House, Speaker Johnson has served as a champion for expanding healthcare access and has demonstrated his passion for the underserved and vulnerable populations in Louisiana’s 4^th Congressional district. Now, in his new role as Speaker, we have every reason to believe that he will carry forward this work and lend his voice to the needs of his constituents in Louisiana – and all Americans - who wish for a more equitable and accessible healthcare system.

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BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA) has announced the honorees for the organization’s prestigious 2023 Community Healthcare Excellence Awards. These awards recognize Community Health Center leaders and supporters who have gone above and beyond in service to their communities and who have displayed unwavering commitment to expanding access to healthcare. These individuals were awarded during LPCA’s 40th Annual Continuing Education Conference on October 18th in Lake Charles, LA.

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BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), commonly referred to as Community Health Centers, and the Louisiana Primary Care Association are celebrating National Health Center Week (August 6-12, 2023). National Health Center Week is an annual celebration that shines a spotlight on the importance of these non-profit community healthcare providers and the work they do to expand access to healthcare to vulnerable and underserved populations. Governor John Bel Edwards has officially proclaimed this week of recognition as “Federally Qualified Health Centers Week.”

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