ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 123
BY REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Tanner Ward for his exemplary compassion as a medical student, leader, and
ambassador of LSU Health Shreveport.
WHEREAS, superior healthcare goes beyond the physical needs of patients by also
serving their social and psychological needs; some individuals are gifted with the ability to
see the needs of others even when those needs are not expressed; and
WHEREAS, Tanner Ward is an LSU Heath Shreveport medical student from Utah;
he recognized that pediatric patients needed a space while hospitalized to relax and take their
mind off their illness, and he began various community outreach programs to address his
concerns; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ward co-founded the Pars for Peds Golf Tournament in 2021 with
a goal of raising sufficient funding to create a teen space at the Ochsner LSU Health
Shreveport St. Mary Medical Center; the inaugural Pars for Peds golf tournament raised the
funding required to create a designated teen lounge featuring video and arcade games; and
WHEREAS, Pars for Peds, which is held annually, currently has a goal of renovating
a vacated atrium space at St. Mary Medical Center to incorporate a putting green that allows
pediatric patients to feel like they are outdoors while getting exercise and sunshine indoors;
the atrium now offers evening movies for hospitalized pediatric patients and their families
and care givers; and
WHEREAS, Tanner also started a Cancer Survivor Walking Group for cancer
patients at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center in Shreveport to address their need for social
interaction and development of healthy lifestyles; the first Cancer Survivor Walk in 2021
attracted over one hundred walkers and a dozen vendors who provided goods and services
to cancer patients; and
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WHEREAS, the funds raised by the Cancer Survivor Walk supports the Cancer
Survivorship Program at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center which provides mental health
coaching, meal prep and nutritional guidance, massage therapy, membership at the YWCA
Thriver's Program, and wellness coaching; and
WHEREAS, the third annual Cancer Survivorship Walk-a-thon welcomed over two
hundred fifty attendees including cancer survivors from throughout north Louisiana, their
families, caregivers, medical and allied health students, and staff of area cancer centers; and
WHEREAS, Tanner Ward, who will receive a medical doctorate degree on May 18,
2024, has proven himself to be an exemplary medical student, leader, and ambassador of
LSU Health Shreveport by caring for patients beyond their physical needs and will
undoubtedly be a remarkable physician.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Tanner Ward for his exemplary compassion
as a medical student, leader, and ambassador of LSU Health Shreveport and does hereby
extend sincere gratitude to Mr. Ward for his remarkable leadership and organizational skills
which have resulted in countless positive impacts on pediatric cancer patients and their
families.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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