Sophie Barksdale
Sophie Barksdale听is a dedicated legal professional committed to making a meaningful
and lasting impact in her community. As an听Associate Attorney at Cummins & Fitts Family
Law Firm, Sophie specializes in听adoptions and juvenile matters, advocating for the
best interests of children and families in Northeast Louisiana.
Born and raised in听Monroe, Louisiana, Sophie graduated from听Neville High School听before earning her听bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Louisiana
at Monroe听and her听Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law. Her legal career brought her back to Monroe, where she gained valuable experience
as a听Judicial Law Clerk for the Fourth Judicial District Court听before transitioning
into private practice.
Sophie has finalized more than听150 adoptions in Northeast Louisiana, reinforcing her belief that adoptions, at any level, are invaluable鈥攏ot only to the
families involved but also to the broader community. Known for her听fierce advocacy
and compassionate approach, Sophie is committed to making her clients feel heard,
supported, and confident in their legal journey. Whether handling an adoption, custody
dispute, or divorce, she works tirelessly to protect her clients' best interests and
provide them with a sense of security throughout the process. Her ability to balance听strength
in the courtroom with empathy for her clients听has earned her a reputation as a trusted
and reliable attorney.
Beyond her legal work, Sophie is deeply involved in community service. She is a听Sustainer
for the Junior League of Monroe, after serving in multiple leadership roles. She also
serves on the听Board of Directors for the Children鈥檚 Coalition听and as听Director of Communications
and Events for PAWS of Northeast Louisiana. Additionally, she is the听Chairwoman of
the Chapter Advisory Board for the Delta Zeta Chapter of Kappa Delta at 羞羞视频, demonstrating
her commitment to service and leadership.
In addition to her professional and volunteer work, Sophieenjoys spending time with her听family and her two French Bulldogs, Pickles and Olive.
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Claudia Wade
Claudia Wade is the Director of Marketing, Community Development, and Grant Management
for Union General Hospital in Farmerville, Louisiana. With a career rooted in public
service and community engagement, Claudia brings extensive experience in addressing
health disparities and empowering underserved populations through innovative programs
and initiatives.
In her current role, Claudia leads efforts to improve public health by implementing
impactful marketing strategies, fostering community partnerships, and securing vital
grant funding for healthcare projects. Her work focuses on enhancing access to quality
healthcare in rural areas, emphasizing collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity.
As a bilingual professional, Claudia leverages her multicultural background to bridge
gaps in communication and ensure cultural competence in her initiatives. Her leadership
has driven successful programs tackling critical issues such as teen pregnancy prevention,
chronic disease management, and community wellness.
Claudia鈥檚 commitment to advancing public health and social sciences makes her a passionate
advocate for empowering women in the workforce and strengthening community connections.
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Helaina Desentz
Helaina Desentz is the Regional Surveillance Epidemiologist responsible for monitoring, analyzing,
and responding to public health data within the parishes of Region 8 (NELA). In this
role, Helaina oversees the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of epidemiological
data related to infectious diseases and other public health threats. She collaborates
with local health agencies, healthcare providers, and other public health professionals
to identify trends, assess risk factors, and guide interventions aimed at improving
population health. Through her work, Helaina supports the overall goal of enhancing
public health surveillance systems, improving response strategies, and ultimately
reducing the burden of disease within the region.
Helaina is a two-time graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe, earning a Bachelor
of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Health Studies in 2018, followed by a Master
of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Personnel Management in 2020.
Recently, she served as a Mentor in the Office of Public Health鈥檚 2024 Mentorship
Program. Additionally, she is a certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and has participated
in multiple Leadership Development programs within the Louisiana Department of Health
(LDH) and Office of Public Health (OPH). Her most recent accomplishment was completing
an intensive six-week leadership program, culminating in the presentation of a strategic
project proposal to the OPH Senior Executive Management Team. The proposal, which
focuses on improving infectious disease health literacy and increasing access for
Louisiana residents, received approval to move forward and is currently in-progress.
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Haylee Middleton
Haylee Middleton is the Program Director at Ascent, where she leads diverse training
initiatives to ensure staff fulfillment of the Louisiana Department of Health鈥檚 requirements
for Coordinated Systems of Care and Wraparound. She is committed to supporting personal
and professional growth through targeted development opportunities. Haylee also serves
as a coach, conducting both group and individual coaching sessions to foster growth
and capitalize on strengths agency wide.听
For the past four years, she has worked closely with LSU鈥檚 Evidence to Practice initiative,
training and coaching agencies selected to deliver mobile crisis services through
Louisiana鈥檚 new 988 Crisis Line. Haylee is proud to play a role in shaping the state鈥檚
crisis response system and enhancing its impact.
As part of a dedicated training team, Haylee helps design and lead CEU-accredited
courses on trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques for a wide range of community
partners, including schools, healthcare organizations, and local nonprofits.
Before her role at Ascent, Haylee taught elementary school, gaining valuable experience
across various grade levels and deepening her commitment to supporting children and
families. Outside of work, Haylee is a wife, mother of three, and active member of
her local church, where she serves in the children's program and on the praise team.
She is passionate about making a meaningful difference in her community.
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