Lake After Hours – 10 Years of Serving Central

By Mia Freneaux

Pictured: Heidi, Dr. Hodges, Joseph, Heather, & Amanda

    Last year, Lake After Hours moved into their new state of the art facility on Sullivan Road.  The facility was designed by the architect to yield the best patient flow for the urgent care setting.  Doctors at the medical center have access to a triage area, where critical patients are given immediate attention, a trauma room for suturing lacerations or giving cardiac care, 6 different examination rooms, and a specially equipped obstetrics room.  All of these circle a nurses’ station, much like one would find in a hospital ward.  In addition, Lake After Hours boasts a state of the art electronic medical records system, where all medical records are processed.  The center also has in-house digital x-ray and lab capabilities, to allow tests to be performed.  Lake After Hours utilizes an in-house courier system to deliver more complicated lab specimens to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Hospital.  “We have tremendous resources available for our doctors,” asserted Joseph Halphen, PA-C.  “We have access to all of the physicians and other medical resources within the OLOL system at our disposal, covering most every subspecialty.  All of our staff members here at the center are well trained and experienced, offering our patients the best care possible.   We are also certified by the Urgent Care Association of America.”

    Halphen went through a graduate program at the LSU Shreveport Health Science Center to become a Physician’s Assistant, or PA.  He trained alongside physicians and had to pass a stiff National Certification Exam upon graduation.  LSU only accepts 35 students out of hundreds of applicants a year into this program.  Halphen shared, “A Physician’s Assistant is trained in the Physician’s model of care delivery and must undergo re-certification every 6 years to stay current with the latest medical advances.” After graduation, Halphen worked for 3 years with Dr. Alan Schroeder at the Bone and Joint Clinic, working in Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Trauma.  Halphen joined the Lake After Hours team full-time in 2008 and serves as one of the primary providers at the Central location.  “It’s so good to be back in my hometown,” Halphen said.  “These are my people.  This is more than just a job for me, it’s personal.”  Halphen does more than work at Lake After Hours – he was born and raised in Central, he and his wife live in Central, and they are very involved at Central Private School, where Halphen serves on the Board of Directors.

    Lake After Hours is the offshoot of the region’s largest healthcare system, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.  Their mission is to “provide an excellent patient care experience through convenient, quality, cost-effective healthcare services.”  Halphen shared that they often see patients at the center who have no primary care physician.  “We try to get them to our local providers like Dr. Dean and Dr. Dial if they have no primary care physician.  We keep in contact with the local doctors, letting them know when we’ve seen their patients after hours, to provide seamless health care for their patients.”  Dr. Joanne Pine is another regular provider at the Central location with a support staff that includes Heidi Esquivel, X-ray Technician (7 years of service at the Central location), Heather Cockerham, Registered Nurse (5 years of service), and Amanda Rutland, Lead Clerk (4 years of service).  Having a highly trained staff is critical to meet patient needs.  The average waiting time is 10 to 15 minutes in most cases.  “Experience is what makes the difference,” Cockerham said.  “We offer fast, friendly, sincere medical care.” 

    Lake After Hours is open Monday – Friday 9 am to 9 pm, and Saturday – Sunday 9 am to 6 pm. They are located at 8751 Sullivan Road. Phone 262-8377. No appointment necessary.