Shreveport, La. – LSU Health Shreveport has launched a new pilot program, the HEART Program for Caddo Parish Middle Schoolers. HEART stands for Humility, Empathy and Respect Training. It is a collaboration between the Association of American Medical Colleges and LSU Health Shreveport. 

The HEART Program introduces Caddo Parish middle school students to qualities that support, not only healthcare careers, but success in school and relationships. Through monthly visits to different campuses, LSU Health Shreveport faculty, residents and staff engage with 6th-8th graders to highlight the importance of developing soft skills such as kindness, respect, compassion and empathy. These traits are essential for building strong physician-patient relationships. 

The program’s first session was held at Shreveport’s AMI Kids Middle School, where LSU Health Shreveport leaders held an interactive panel discussion with live demonstrations. 

Participating physicians included: 

• Dr. Wendy Bernstein, Chair of Anesthesiology
• Dr. Dani Zoorob, Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Dr. Bharat Guthikonda, Chair of Neurosurgery
• Dr. Amos Sit, Associate Professor of Surgery
• Dr. Harterica Hines, former Pediatrics Resident
• Dr. Derrick Smith, Psychiatry Resident

The session included skits where students role-played everyday injuries, such as a bike accident or a fall during basketball. They then received a first-hand look at how LSU Health professionals offer care with humility, empathy and respect. 

LSU Health Shreveport Psychiatry Resident and Shreveport native Dr. Derrick Smith emphasized the program’s impact:

“Nothing is more important than speaking into our youth, being able to change the future and affect the future through them. This was a great opportunity to show them skills that make great doctors, but also great people.”