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NEW ORLEANS, – Entergy is providing funding to support Ochsner Health’s current team of health care workers, as well as those training to join the frontlines of the COVID-19 response.

  The Entergy Charitable Foundation is allocating $150,000 in funding toward a rapid Patient Care Training Program offered by Ochsner Health and the New Orleans Career Center. It will train and certify the first cohort of workers to assist in patient intake. This program is designed to expand Ochsner’s frontline team of health care workers, while also providing an opportunity for community members, including furloughed hospitality workers, to enter a career path in health care.

  The funds will cover the training program, a set of scrubs, basic tools and supplies, study guides, and certification exam fees for 25 participants who are interested in a new career path. Normally, the Patient Care Training Program takes approximately two to three months to complete. With Entergy’s support, participants in this new rapid program will receive certification in three to four weeks.

  “We are incredibly grateful to Entergy for supporting our Ochsner Heroes on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response. The more we can do to support these heroes during this current crisis, the better they are able to persevere and focus on caring for themselves and their patients,” said Missy Sparks, vice president of talent management at Ochsner Health.

   Entergy’s support also will provide individually packaged meals to nearly 600 health care workers in the emergency department and intensive care unit and provide family-sized packages of groceries to 500 environmental services members at various Ochsner  locations. The frontline staff also will receive individual hand lotion to ease the discomfort of dry and irritated hands from frequent handwashing and disinfectant wipes and gels.

“Supporting community partners such as Ochsner Health during this critical time helps to ensure our local communities stay healthy and safe,” said David Ellis, Entergy New Orleans’ president and CEO. “We are honored to support Ochsner Health’s program to help build a pipeline of patient care techs to answer the call now and support the health care system in the future.”