Ochsner Health

🎓 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

Visionary leadership is the foundation of excellent healthcare, and we are proud to announce that four Ochsner Health executives have been named to Becker's Healthcare "To Know" lists for 2026. This national recognition highlights our team’s commitment to innovation, patient care and leadership in healthcare. Please join us in celebrating: ✔️Cara Zorzi Bergendahl, system vice president and chief marketing and consumer insights officer, recognized as one of the 96 Hospital and Health System Chief Marketing Officers to Know. ✔️Alison Soileau, PhD, FACHE, CPXP-L, vice president of patient experience and service excellence, featured among Hospital and Health System CXOs to Know. ✔️Tracey Schiro, MBA, executive vice president and chief people and culture officer, highlighted as one of the Hospital and Health System CHROs and Chief People Officers to Know. ✔️Denise Basow, MD, chief digital officer, acknowledged as a Hospital and Health System Chief Digital Officer to Know. These leaders work to improve the lives of our patients, support our dedicated staff, and advance modern medicine. Help us celebrate their hard work and recognition by sharing your congratulations in the comments below! 🎉

The Organ Pumping Center is changing how Ochsner Health evaluates and prepares donor organs for transplant. Ari Cohen, MD, director, Ochsner Transplant Institute, explains how the technology helps transplant teams assess which organs are safe to use and improve organ quality before transplant. “It has revolutionized the care of our organs,” Dr. Cohen says. “It helps us identify which organs are safe to use, and we believe it rehabilitates the organs, making it safer for patients.” Patients who receive pumped organs are spending less time in the hospital and intensive care unit and are experiencing fewer post-transplant complications. “This technology allows us to transplant more patients safely,” Dr. Cohen adds. “And it will help reduce the number of patients dying on the waiting list.” To learn more about the Ochsner Transplant Institute and our transplant innovations, visit https://ow.ly/L6Q750YOMb4.