Ochsner Health

This year’s Spirit of Leadership Awards recognize leaders who have set a powerful example across Ochsner Health. These leaders strengthen teams, inspire those around them and raise the standard for care and service in the communities we serve. Please join us in congratulating this year’s honorees: 🏅Management Leader of the Year for a Clinical Department: Traci Jordan, RN, chief nursing officer, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Monroe Medical Center 🏅Management Leader of the Year for a Nonclinical Department: Meredith Miceli, vice president and deputy general counsel, Legal Affairs 🏅New Leader of the Year for a Clinical Department: Christina Grisham, RN, manager, nursing unit, cardiology, Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans 🏅New Leader of the Year for a Nonclinical Department: Jack Barrett, manager, Hospital Operations, Patient Flow, Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans 🏅Supervisor of the Year for a Clinical Department: Breana Francipane, RN, supervisor, labor and delivery/mother and baby unit, Ochsner Health Center – West Bank 🏅Supervisor of the Year for a Nonclinical Department: Yelennis Aguilera, supervisor, patient navigation, access to care admin, Ochsner Lafayette General 🏅Culture and Inclusivity Partner of the Year: Anitra Raymond, supervisor, patient access, Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank The dedication and innovation demonstrated by these leaders inspire all of us to reach higher, serve with compassion and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

We are thrilled to celebrate the winners of the Spirit of Leadership Awards! 🏆 This annual program recognizes the exceptional employees, nurses and physicians who embody our mission, vision and core values in everything they do. Please join us in offering a heartfelt congratulations to this year’s team and project award winners: 🏆Department of the Year, Clinical: Pharmacy, Ochsner Health. By using advanced technology to streamline prior authorizations and partnering closely with nurses and providers, the Pharmacy team improved medication safety and expanded access to complex therapies. 🏆Department of the Year, Nonclinical: Government Relations, Ochsner Health. Its expertise and long-standing relationships helped prevent severe Medicaid cuts, secure key legislative protections and advance policies that support public health, behavioral health and workforce needs. 🏆Ochsner Resource Group Project of the Year: HOLA, Community Engagement and Hispanic Outreach Initiative. By strengthening community ties and improving access to care through targeted outreach, HOLA demonstrated its commitment to the health and well-being of our Hispanic neighbors. 🏆Project of the Year, Clinical: Ochsner Virtual Emergency Department. The Ochsner Virtual Emergency Department has delivered more than 10,000 encounters annually. Its impact has earned national recognition, including the Vizient Southern States Brilliance Award. 🏆Project of the Year, Nonclinical: Oncology Revenue Capture Through Pharmacy Waste Output. This cross-functional initiative closed a critical gap in documenting drug waste for high-cost oncology and infusion therapies. Congratulations to all on this well-earned recognition.

🎓 Your path to a career at Ochsner Health starts here. Whether you’re pursuing nursing, allied health or athletic training, Ochsner Scholars provides: ✅ Tuition support ✅ Dedicated mentorship and career guidance ✅ Hands-on experience within Ochsner Health ✅ A clear pathway to launch your career after graduation ➡️ If you’re ready to invest in your future, apply to the Ochsner Scholars Program today! https://ow.ly/3kVX50YIqJQ

Ochsner Specialty Pharmacy and Latent partnered three years ago with a shared goal: to use AI to help more patients get access to the medications they need, faster. What began as a focused effort to reduce the burden of prior authorization review has grown into a collaborative partnership aimed at improving the patient medication access journey. This work reflects a shared commitment to the people behind every approval. Read the full case study: https://lnkd.in/g5RuAVgt

As Donate Life Month comes to a close, Ochsner Health continues to look for innovative ways to help you take an active role in your health and support our community. That is why we added a feature to MyChart that allows you to easily register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Since August, more than 4,900 of our patients have signed up to give the gift of life. While we celebrate this milestone, the work continues. Thousands of people are still waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Swipe through our carousel to learn how a simple tap can make a lasting difference. If you are an Ochsner patient, log in to your MyChart account today to register. Nonpatients can easily sign up at https://ow.ly/ZKAJ50YSAKZ.

On March 27-28, representatives from Ochsner Therapy & Wellness participated in the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana’s annual conference, furthering our commitment to advancing neurological care statewide. As exhibitors, our team shared expert insights and resources for people with brain and spinal cord injuries, building new connections with patients, caregivers and fellow providers. Our therapists engaged in targeted educational sessions, strengthening their clinical knowledge and reinforcing our leadership in delivering high-quality rehabilitation services across Louisiana. A highlight of the conference was the Unmasking Brain Injury art display, an initiative that amplifies the voices and experiences of survivors and their families while sharing the realities of brain injury. We commend Alicia Cantrell, a speech-language pathologist specializing in neurologic rehabilitation, and her patient, Clarence, for their meaningful contributions to this project. After multiple strokes and seizures affected his ability to speak and read, Clarence showed resilience. His powerful contribution to the art display featured a mask with a message he wrote: "My own brain tried to kill me, but I WON." Ochsner Health partners with the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana to drive progress in neurological care, advocacy and patient outcomes across our state. Together, we are expanding access, fostering innovation and supporting individuals and families on their path to recovery. Learn more about our neurologic rehabilitation services: https://ow.ly/NtJX50YSsOB

Congratulations to Nicole May, NP, cardiology, Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove in Baton Rouge, for being named Advanced Practice Provider of the Year at Ochsner Health's Spirit of Leadership Awards! Presenting the award is Robert Hart, MD, chief physician executive and president, Ochsner Clinic. Nicole is the Baton Rouge region’s only APP seeing new electrophysiology patients, managing these complex cases with exceptional skill and integrity. She is a trusted partner to physicians and is known for her ability to evaluate complex cases while delivering high-quality care, elevating the entire service line. Nicole also leads outside of the clinic with community service. An outreach event last year provided cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks and EKGs to more than 40 community members. Congratulations to Nicole and to all our winners and finalists!

Congratulations to Michelle Kline, RN, Flight Care, Emergency Medical Transport, Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans, for being named Nurse of the Year at Ochsner Health's annual Spirit of Leadership Awards! Presenting the award is Tiffany Murdock, senior vice president and chief nursing and clinical excellence officer. Michelle elevates the Flight Care program through visionary education and wellness initiatives. She represents Ochsner at national conferences, and her relentless focus on crew well-being and clinical excellence helps make Flight Care safe and strong. Her program-building and national leadership have raised standards for air medical care across the region. Congratulations to Michelle and all our winners and finalists!

Congratulations to the following physicians for their recognitions at Ochsner Health's annual Spirit of Leadership Awards! 🔵Philanthropy Partner of the Year: Benjamin Peeler, MD, co-director, Congenital Heart Center, Ochsner Children’s; chief, pediatric and adult congenital heart surgery, Ochsner Health. Dr. Peeler blends surgical excellence with strategic philanthropy. He engages donors to advance research, training, and patient access. 🔵Physician Leader of the Year: Andrea Blome, MD, medical director, Performance Improvement, Center for Quality, South Shore and Bayou Regions. Dr. Blome's leadership elevates colleagues, empowers teams, and advances a culture where patients and physicians feel supported and valued. 🔵Physician Academic Contributor of the Year: Rajiv Gala, MD, associate dean for education and academic affairs, obstetrics and gynecology, Ochsner Baptist. Dr. Gala has transformed academic excellence across Ochsner, leading accreditation efforts for every Graduate Medical Education program and serving as the Faculty Accreditation Lead for Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. 🔵New Physician of the Year: Dean Yamaguchi, MD, vascular surgery, Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans. Dr. Yamaguchi has rapidly expanded complex aortic care in our area, redirecting complex patients to Ochsner. 🔵Community Service Partner of the Year: Jason DeFatta, DO, surgery, Ochsner Rush Health. Dr. DeFatta founded Project Inspire, a hospital‑based mentoring program for at‑risk youth, partnering with local courts and schools to break cycles of violence. Congratulations to these outstanding physicians and to all our winners and finalists!

Occupational therapists at Ochsner play a vital role in helping patients regain independence and return to what matters most. Learn why OTs thrive here, from collaborative care teams to meaningful career growth. Read Elizabeth and Victoria's story: https://lnkd.in/g5Auefqv Learn more about opportunities with Ochsner Therapy & Wellness and apply today: https://lnkd.in/ghziMMC5