Cardiologist Nik Abraham and Nurse Practitioner Jean Bertrand Honored as 2017 Providers of the Year

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.

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).