Rotary Club of Baton Rouge

Information from our speaker this week!

Baton Rouge student attendance 'has collapsed': Pediatrician says community is key to fixing it bit.ly/4jAFTrw

About 143,000 Louisiana public schoolchildren missed roughly 18 days or more of school last year. Those numbers have improved, but they’re still well above pre-COVID levels.

Every great puzzle needs all its pieces to come together! A huge thank you to our incredible community partners helping us put the pieces in place for "One Piece at a Time" on October 4!

​We couldn't fit this puzzle together without your support! Join us from 12–4 PM for a picture hunt, trunk-or-treat, and more.

We are thrilled to announce that LSU Men's Basketball Head Coach Will Wade will be our featured guest speaker at the next Rotary Club of Baton Rouge luncheon on October 7, 2026.

With the 2026-27 season just around the corner, Coach Wade will be breaking down the latest team updates, his strategic outlook for the Tigers' return to the court, and how the program is building strong leadership both on and off the hardwood.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to limited seating capacity, all Rotarians and guests must be registered in advance to attend this meeting. Walk-ins will not be permitted once capacity is reached.

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Timeline: Buffet opens at 11:30 AM | Meeting begins at 12:15 PM
Location: Drusilla Seafood Restaurant & Drusilla Place Catering

Another great day at the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge!

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming visiting Rotarians, celebrating a new member joining our club, and hearing from another outstanding community leader.

We were honored to welcome Dr. Heidi Schumacher, professor of pediatrics and pediatrician, who spoke with us about the important connection between school attendance, education, and the health of children and communities.

Dr. Schumacher brings together policy, data, medicine, and community collaboration to tackle complex challenges affecting children and families. A policy expert, data analyst, collaborator, and community bridge, she is a true changemaker, and we are grateful she shared her expertise and perspective with our club.

One of the greatest benefits of Rotary is the opportunity to gather around the table with people who are working every day to make our community stronger. We learn from one another, welcome new voices, build relationships, and leave each meeting a little better informed about the community we serve.

Thank you, Dr. Schumacher, for spending your time with us, and welcome to our newest Rotarian!

The Rotary Club of Baton Rouge Peace Pole Committee installed Peace Pole #27 at Open Health Care Clinic, which provides affordable, quality medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare to everyone in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and surrounding areas, regardless of insurance or income status. The Peace Pole features the phrase, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in English, Spanish, French and American Sign Language.

We are thrilled to welcome Heidi Schumacher, M.D., to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge as our guest speaker next week! Dr. Schumacher is a General Pediatrician, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the UVM Larner College of Medicine, and a national expert on student wellness. Her presentation, "Attendance Matters – For Education and for the Health of Kids & Communities," addresses a critical public health and educational challenge: chronic absenteeism. Dr. Schumacher’s work highlights how the root causes of school absences often stem from unmet health and social needs. When pediatricians, schools, and local communities partner together, we can dismantle these barriers and keep kids healthy, supported, and in the classroom.

Wednesday, September 30
Buffet opens at 11:30 AM | Meeting starts at 12:15 PM
Drusilla Place Catering

Guests of members and visiting Rotarians are always welcome to join us for this impactful discussion.