About Us | Lpcf

HISTORY

Pediatric Cardiology Associates was established in Baton Rouge in 1995 and since that time have referred hundreds of patients to surgical and interventional centers across the United States for the best cardiac care available. While this allowed Baton Rouge and south central Louisiana access to state of the art medical care, families often had to endure significant financial hardship. Especially concerning were non-covered medical costs, non-medical expenses such as travel and lodging, and high out-of-pocket costs due to varying plans for covered items. This issue came to the forefront in 1996 when Thibodaux Mayor Warren Harang’s granddaughter was born with multiple holes in her heart. She required life-saving surgery that was deemed too risky at many centers. The family chose to fly her to San Francisco to a top specialist for surgery. Throughout this journey, Mayor Harang witnessed the huge expense that the family encountered, from the medical flight, to hotels, to living expenses, all while being away from work. He wanted to help.

Upon his grandchild’s return home, Mayor Harang met with Dr. Crapanzano of Pediatric Cardiology Associates to discuss his personal desire to help any family who ever needed financial help in getting their “heart child” the best care possible. Dr. Crapanzano wholeheartedly agreed and also realized a need for family support, especially if the pediatric cardiologists were to continue to be able to send patients to the preferred locations for care. This vision became a reality in 1997 when they formed the Harang Pediatric Cardiology Foundation, through which Mayor Harang made personal contributions to help families from south central Louisiana. By relieving unnecessary financial burdens, families were now able to travel across the country to top-rated centers of excellence.

Through this private foundation, awareness for the burdens of pediatric cardiac patients increased and the idea of support gained more and more momentum. In 2001, the assets of the Harang Foundation were transferred to the Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation, and our public foundation was formed.

Since its formation, hundreds of grants have been distributed to families in need. To support its mission, LPCF board members and volunteers hold annual fundraisers. In 2012, LPCF began its “Save-A-Heart. Save-A-Life.” program, providing free heart screens for high school athletes to identify undetected abnormalities. Up to 1,000 students are screened annually, with approximately 5% receiving follow-up evaluations. Four athletes have required life-saving heart surgery but are thankfully doing well today.

STAFF

Angelle Bourgeois

Director of Operations

Angelle is a Louisiana native, born and raised in Morgan City. She is married to André Bourgeois. They have two children, Jean-Luc and Jean-Paul, and have resided in Baton Rouge since 1993. She began her academic studies at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and completed them at the Professional Institute of Court Reporting. After passing the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters, she worked as a Licensed Certified Court Reporter in the Baton Rouge area for a number of years. In 2003, her second son, Jean-Paul, was born with a complex congenital heart defect, which literally changed her direction in life forever. After Jean-Paul’s multiple open heart surgeries, countless heart catheterizations, blood-draws/testing, numerous other heart-related procedures, as well as steadfastly marching through some set-backs along the way, Angelle passionately began her second career by advocating for him and for other families who had infants and young children with congenital heart defects and heart disease. She started volunteering with LPCF in 2007 and joined the LPCF Board of Directors in 2009. Angelle chaired the highly successful LPCF Mixed Doubles Tennis Classic and Gala for ten years, which raised over $1M for LPCF and the many families LPCF supports, as well as all of the free heart screens LPCF provides to high school athletes across south Louisiana. Angelle transitioned from the Board of Directors to the Director of Operations for LPCF on April 1, 2018.

Angelle is both humbled and thrilled to now have a more hands-on role with LPCF, which gives her the ability to reach out with invaluable first-hand experience and to personally help, support, and comfort as many parents and families as is possible in our area who are dealing with the many diverse challenges of having children with congenital heart defects and related heart problems. Her main roles include the day-to-day operations of LPCF’s office, as well as the management of the LPCF Family Grants Program, procurement of private, state and federal grant monies for LPCF, engage in the Louisiana Heart Mom’s Facebook Support Group, and general fundraising oversight.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kate Hixon Savoy

Heart Screens Coordinator

Social Media and Marketing

Kate serves as the Heart Screens Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator for the Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation (LPCF). In her role, she coordinates LPCF’s “Save a Heart. Save a Life.” Heart Screens Program, working with schools, coaches, athletic directors, parents, and medical professionals to provide free heart screenings to high school athletes in East Baton Rouge parish and surrounding parishes.

Kate also leads LPCF’s social media and marketing efforts, sharing the stories of Heart Warriors and their families, raising awareness about congenital heart disease, and promoting LPCF events and fundraising initiatives that support Louisiana children and families affected by heart conditions.

Kate’s connection to LPCF is deeply personal. She has been involved with the Foundation throughout her life through her father, Dr. Hixon, a Baton Rouge pediatric cardiologist and longtime advocate for children with heart conditions. Growing up around LPCF and witnessing the impact it has on Heart Warriors and their families inspired Kate to become even more involved in the Foundation’s mission.

Kate is honored to be part of LPCF and is passionate about helping the Foundation reach more families, expand access to heart screenings, and share the stories that remind our community why this work matters.