Exceptional dedication to serving others, leadership, performance excellence
and community involvement are among the accolades received by
Dr. Nik Abraham and
Nurse Practitioner Jean Genzale-Bertrand as North Oaks Health System’s Providers of the Year for 2017. Both
practice with
North Oaks Cardiology Clinic in Hammond.
The Medical Executive Committees for
North Oaks Medical Center and
North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital have traditionally selected a Physician of the Year annually based on
nominations from North Oaks employees, volunteers and providers. This
is the first time they have honored a Nurse Practitioner of the Year as well.
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Abraham has been a provider with North Oaks Physician Group since 2013.
No stranger to leadership roles, he was chairman of the Medicine Department
on behalf of the North Oaks Medical Center Medical Executive Committee
in 2016 and 2017. He also has served since 2014 on the hospital’s
committee responsible for reviewing cardiology cases since 2014.
In his time with North Oaks, he has introduced several advanced and minimally
invasive cardiovascular procedures to the hospital’s services. Patients
have benefited from his expertise performing adult atrial septal defect
closures to repair a heart condition more commonly known as a “hole
in the heart.” He also is one of the few providers in the state
performing alcohol septal ablation to relieve symptoms caused by abnormal
thickening of the heart muscle.
Abraham is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal
Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and also by the American Society of
Echocardiography. He is fellowship-trained in Interventional Cardiology
and Cardiovascular Disease through Christiana Care Health System/Jefferson
Medical College in Newark, Delaware, where he also completed his medical
degree, internship and residency.
One nomination for Abraham recounted, “During the floods, several
providers were unable to make it to the hospital safely. Dr. Abraham stepped
up to care for their patients without hesitation.”
Nominations also made note of his “excellent communication skills”
and “involvement in the total care of his patients.”
Another acknowledged his patience, stating, “He takes time with his
patients and really listens to provide the best care. He always explains
things to patients and even comes back if they still don’t understand.
He puts the patient first always.”
In 2009, Bertrand joined North Oaks Physician Group as a nurse practitioner
with North Oaks Cardiology Clinic in Hammond. As a nurse practitioner,
she manages the overall care of her patients independently with an emphasis
on education for disease prevention and management.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Louisiana State
University, Bertrand went on to earn a master’s degree and doctorate
in Nursing through Southeastern Louisiana University. She is certified
as a cardiovascular nurse practitioner through the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine.
Bertrand’s professional affiliations include the Louisiana Association
of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioners
and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She also serves on the Finance
Subcommittee of the North Oaks Physician Group Network Operations Council
and volunteers with North Oaks Sports Medicine to provide free physical
examinations to student-athletes at annual physical day.
Nominations described Bertrand as an “amazing advocate for both patients
and staff” and as someone who is “always eager to teach so
that we all understand the care being provided.”
Another nomination praised her as a role model, reading, “She cares
about her patients -- their needs, their desires, their expectations and
their family members’ expectations. She gives everything she does
110 percent! I strive to be as compassionate, excited, positive, professional
and motivated as Jean.”
North Oaks Cardiology Clinic is located at 16070 Doctors’ Blvd.,
across Veterans Ave. from the North Oaks Medical Center campus. Hours
of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
To schedule an appointment with Abraham or Genzale-Bertrand, call (985)
230-APPT (2778) or (844) APPT-NOW (277-8669).