POSTED: 5/15/2020

IMC Foundation Launches Project: Safe Schools

Friday, August 28, 2020

Iberia Parish School Board and Iberia Parish School Administration recently joined Iberia Medical Center leadership and the Iberia Medical Center Foundation to officially recognize and launch Project: Safe Schools. The program is a collaborative effort between the hospital, the Iberia Medical Center Foundation and Iberia Parish School Administration. The goal of the health and safety initiative is to provide Covid-19 prevention resources to area schools to enhance efforts in the fight against the spread of the virus. The IMC Foundation donation included CDC Covid-19 prevention educational posters, social distancing floor vinyls and "Wash Your Hands" mirror clings for school bathrooms. 

Earlier in the month, a live, virtual Q/A session was arranged between Iberia Parish School RNs, key faculty members and Dr. Moses Kitakule, Pulmonologist at Iberia Medical Center.  Dr. Kitakule answered Covid-19 questions and had dialog with the nurses about best practices and CDC guidelines.  

"Early partnering with the Iberia Parish School Board and Administration included the generous use of school parking lots for Covid testing and working with school system administration to provide clinical expertise.  The conversations continued and the Iberia Medical Center Foundation and the hospital wanted to 'pay it foward' because the community has been so generous to Iberia Medical Center during Covid, providing meals, resources and support," stated Dionne Viator, Iberia Medical Center CEO.  

On hand for the formal donation presentation was, Mr. Elvin Pradia, Iberia Parish School Board President, Niles Romero, Principal of Jefferson Island Road and President of the Iberia Principals Association, Dionne Viator, Iberia Medical Center, CEO, Jennifer Joseph, Assistant Superintendent, Iberia Parish Schools, Rachel Gonsoulin, IMC Foundation, Dr. Kurt O'Brien, IMC Board of Commissioners, Lucette Palmiano, IMC Foundation, Amy Langlinais, IMC VP of Finance.