Stories of heartbreak and healing highlight annual LSU Health Shreveport event

Maggie Martin, Shreveport Times
·4 min read

High School Junior Kerrington Jones made history at LSU Health Shreveport's "An Evening for Healers."

She wasn't there to tell her story.

You see, Kerrington Jones, took her own life.

For the first time in 12 years, "An Evening ..." officials shared "A Story of Loss," Kerrington's story reminded listeners that not every patient's story is one of success for First Responders and caregivers. The evening also told the stories of two other patients and their healers.

"An Evening..."  at Shreveport Convention Center "Celebrates Heroes, Healing and Hope," shines a light on over 100 first responders and healthcare providers directly involved with patient stories. It benefits LSU Health Shreveport and is presented by LSU Health Shreveport Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Ochsner Health.

Kerrington's message was one of three highlighted at the seated dinner with dramatic videos.

The how and why of Kerrington's suicide, at her mother's request, were not revealed.

Shanna Jones, arriving at an Evening For Healers, holds a photo in memory of her daughter Kerrington Jones at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
Shanna Jones, arriving at an Evening For Healers, holds a photo in memory of her daughter Kerrington Jones at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

Those planning the evening wanted to tell the story of loss because of the high teen suicide rate in America. They thought it important to discuss the mental health crises among teenagers and to empower the community to have hard conversations with struggling youth.

Her mom,  Shanna Jones is  an LSU Health Shreveport employee and wanted to share her daughter's story, "because of the incredible team who cared for her with unwavering dedication."

"Calling her daughter, 'My sweet Baby Kerrington' "Shanna described her daughter: "She was a junior at Byrd, shy, but outspoken. She made us laugh," said Carrington's mom.

It was Jan. 19, remembered Jones. She and her daughter spoke after she returned home from work. Not too long afterward, Jones walked toward Carrington's room and found the door closed. Her daughter was unresponsive.

"She was taken to LSU. She got the best care. It was the best place for her. And I thank you," said Jones to the audience in the video.

Carrington's caregivers were honored in a special way:  LSU Health Shreveport, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport Fire Department members and Pastor James J. Smith of Midway Baptist Church No. 2.

Two other patient reports were presented and their healers honored:

Mona Smith with patient Lynette Moye and husband James Moye at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
Mona Smith with patient Lynette Moye and husband James Moye at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

Lynette Moye, of Longview, Texas woke up one morning and said, "I can't hear anything.

Moye was initially treated for meningitis but as the infection subsided, her hearing deteriorated until she was profoundly deaf. She transferred to Ochsner LSU.

With her husband James Moye beside  her every step of the way, "(Otolaryngologist) Dr. Gauri Mankekar and specialized teams across multiple departments ... handled every curveball of (her) complicated case."

And, they restored her hearing, illustrated by her smiling face and greeting as she posed for photos on "Evening's" night. Her teams were LSU Health Shreveport and Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport.

Deidre Dement and her daughter patient Evie Hilburn at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
Deidre Dement and her daughter patient Evie Hilburn at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

Evie Hilburn, 16, of Monroe area took a ride in an ATV when it was over she was paralyzed from the shoulders down. She was airlifted to LSU Health Shreveport.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Stanley T. Hoang decompressed her spinal cord and Healers worked to give her a chance to walk again. The 26 days in the pediatric intensive care unit were a roller coaster for Evie and her family, according to the program.

Audiologist April Daniel, Dr. Gauri Mankekar and Audiologist Cynthia Collier at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
Audiologist April Daniel, Dr. Gauri Mankekar and Audiologist Cynthia Collier at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

"She endured setbacks and surgeries, but through it all, Evie kept her sense of humor and ardent determination," said the program. "(She) is doing incredibly well today."  Her healers LSU Health Shreveport, Ochsner LSU HealthShreveport, Pafford Air One.

Event notes:

Ochsner CEO Chuck Daigle with wife Brandi Daigle at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
Ochsner CEO Chuck Daigle with wife Brandi Daigle at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

Chairs were

  • David and Liz Means

  • Drs. Justin and Anna Moore

Foundation President and CEO Kevin Flood presided, while Chancellor Dr. David Guzick and CEO Chuck Daigle welcomed guests.

Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport Dr. David Guzick and Dr. Donna Giles at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport Dr. David Guzick and Dr. Donna Giles at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and wife Elizabeth led the parade of sponsors and guests. The evening grossed $500,000 and in 12 years, has garnered $3.5 million.

Faces in the crowd or on the sponsor list:

Ikey Chism, healer Flight Nurse Douglas Chism, Endly and Eli Chism at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
Ikey Chism, healer Flight Nurse Douglas Chism, Endly and Eli Chism at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

  • LSU Provost Roy Haggerty,

  • State Reps. Thomas Pressly and Dodie Horton

  • Caddo Commissioners John Atkins and Roy Burrell

  • Caddo Dist. Judge Don Hathaway and wife CamilleBrian and Ginny Homza

  • Paul and Janie Dickson

  • Dr. Donna Giles

  • Dr. Mike Acurio

  • Bill and Frances Comegys

  • Stafford and Marianne Comegys

Other notable guests:

The 2023 Evening For Healers event chairs: Drs. Justin and Anna Moore, and Liz and David Means at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.
The 2023 Evening For Healers event chairs: Drs. Justin and Anna Moore, and Liz and David Means at the LSUHS "Evening for Healers" on August 31, 2023.

  • Dr. Scott and Denise Bicknell

  • Drs. Chris Kevil and Glenda Johnson

  • Armand and Lynn Roos

  • Rob and Rita Mary King

  • State Sen. Robert Mills and wife Sheila

  • Dr. Anne Bryan, Brandi Daigle, Martha H. Fitzgerald

  • Betty Henderson

  • Dr. Holly Guy, John Pickens

  • LSU Health Shreveport Vice Chancellor David Lewis and wife Kathy

A Glimpse at  Healers, First Responders and Caregivers:

  • Erik Demery

  • Labarrion Johnson

  • Dale Marshall Sr.

  • Jae'Preston Pollard

  • Barbara Sellers and Valentino Williams

  • The Shreveport Fire Department

  • Dr. Uday Chalwadi

  • Stephanie Hebron

  • Dr. Hugo Cuellar

  • Dr. William Byrd

  • Krystal Ware

  • Pamela Short

  • Flight Medic Tommy Anderson

  • Flight Nurse Douglas Chism

  • Victoria Camp

  • Joe Conger

  • Dr. Caitlin Busada

  • Dr. William Ishee

  • Troy Schleben

  • Ashley Orlando

  • Dr. Caleb Stewart.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Stories of heartbreak and healing highlight annual LSU Health Shreveport event