Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics

Department	Name	Title	Areas of Expertise
Academics	Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP	Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer	Medicine, Academic Leadership
Academics	Carl Tholen, M.Ed	Vice President, Medical Education	Medical Education, Academic Administration
Bariatric Surgery	Dennis Eschete, MD	Program Leadership	General and Bariatric Surgery, Minimally Invasive Techniques
Breast Surgery Oncology	Shaunda K. Grisby, MD	Associate Regional Medical Director	Breast Cancer Treatment, Surgical Oncology
Finance	Randy Langford, CPA	Chief Financial Officer of Academics	Accounting, Academic Financial Operations
General Surgery	Vincent Adolph, MD	Regional Medical Director for North Louisiana	General Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
Maternal Fetal Medicine	Joseph R. Biggio Jr., MD	System Chair and Service Line Leader, Women’s Services	Maternal Fetal Medicine, Women’s Health
Neurosurgery	Cuong Bui, MD	Physician	Neurosurgery
Obstetrics and Gynecology	Leise R. Knoepp, MD, MPH	Section Head, Female Pelvic Medicine	Obstetrics, Gynecology, Pelvic Medicine
Oncology	Wendy Chriss, MBA-HCM, PhD	Director, Clinical Research	Oncology, Transplant Research
Pediatrics	Rajasekharan Warrier, MD	Manipal Rotation Coordinator	Pediatrics
Public Health	Yvens G. Laborde, MD	Medical Director, Public Health	Public Health, Global Health Education
Surgical Residency	Racheed Ghanami, MD	Core Faculty	Vascular Surgery, Peripheral Arterial Disease
Transplant Surgery	Ari Cohen, MD	Transplant Surgeon	Liver and Kidney Transplantation

Department	Consultation Fees	Procedure Costs	Cost Variation Factors	Financial Assistance
Cardiology	$200 - $500	Echocardiograms: $500+, Stress Tests: $700+, Cardiac Catheterization: $3,000+	Complexity, Specialist Involvement, Hospital Stay	Insurance, Medicaid, Payment Plans, Financial Aid Available
Oncology	$250 - $600	Chemotherapy: $1,000 - $5,000/session, Radiation: $2,000 - $10,000/course	Stage of Cancer, Therapy Type, Duration of Care	Insurance, Charity Care, Clinical Trials for Eligible Patients
Neurology	$250 - $600	EEG: $500+, MRI: $1,500+, Stroke Treatment: $5,000+	Procedure Type, Specialist Time, Equipment Usage	Insurance, Medicaid, Payment Plans
Orthopedics	$200 - $500	X-rays: $100+, Joint Replacement: $10,000+, Arthroscopy: $5,000+	Procedure Type, Implant Costs, Rehabilitation	Insurance, Medicaid, Subsidized Programs for Low Income Patients
Outpatient Services	$75 - $150	Basic Labs: $50+, Imaging (CT, X-ray): $100 - $1,000+	Service Type, Technology Used, Quantity of Tests	Wide Insurance Acceptance, Sliding Scale for Eligible Patients

| Program | Description | Contact Information | |-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | Financial Assistance Program | Offers up to 100% financial assistance for medically necessary care if family income is 200% or less of federal poverty guidelines. Includes assistance for emergency and medical care deductibles and copays. | Call 504-842-4190 or visit MyOchsner | | Community Mobile Health Clinic Fund | Provides primary care, dental care, and wellness programs to underserved areas. Focuses on education and chronic illness management to reduce disease onset. | No specific contact provided | | Ochsner Home Health | Includes in-home care services like skilled nursing, physical therapy, infusion therapy, and chronic disease management under a physician´s supervision. Personal emergency response systems are also available. | Visit Ochsner Home Health website | | Social Support via Social Workers | Provides psychosocial assessment, grief counseling, and coordination with local resources. Facilitates wellness and support for chronic illness patients. | No specific contact provided | | Palliative Care Services | Offers inpatient, outpatient, and hospice care with specialized support for advanced chronic illness. Includes interdisciplinary care teams and emotional support services. | Contact Ochsner Health for details | | Ochsner Lafayette General Community Health Center | Provides primary care, behavioral health services, and social services for managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Smoking cessation programs and diabetes education classes are also available. | Call 337-703-6500 | | Ochsner Extended Care Hospital | Offers long-term acute care for the critically ill, typically lasting 20-30 days. | Contact Extended Care Hospital locations | | Patient Assistance Fund | Supports with unforeseen costs like communication, transportation, lodging, and meals during a hospital stay, allowing patients and families to focus on healing. | No specific contact provided | | Stroke Center Fund | Provides stroke education, rehabilitation, survivor programs, and supports the purchase of advanced medical equipment for improved stroke care. | No specific contact provided | | Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship | Trains professionals in advanced palliative care, symptom management, and care planning for palliative and hospice settings. | Program begins in 2025-2026 academic year |

Payment Plan	Description	Details
Interest-Free Installment Plans	Available for balances of $150 or more	Allows payments over up to 24 months
Flexible Payment Structures	Customized payment plans based on individual assessments	Designed to reduce financial stress for high-cost procedures
Financial Assistance	Support for patients unable to pay	Available for medically necessary care; eligibility based on income
Infusion Drug Out-of-Pocket Assistance Program	Offsets costs of copays, deductibles, and co-insurance	Primarily for commercially insured patients
Medicaid Application Assistance	Help with applying for Medicaid	Guidance provided at Medicaid Application Centers

Department	Service
Financial Assistance	Provides free or discounted medically necessary services based on financial need determined through applications, use of external data, and alternative payment sources. Assistance valid for 12 months with reapplication required thereafter.
Financial Counseling	Offers in-person financial counseling to discuss financial burden, available assistance, Medicaid eligibility, and signing up for affordable health plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Patient Accounts Customer Service	Available to answer billing-related questions, assist with insurance claims, and ensure correct billing information.
Medicaid Application Center	Assists patients in applying for Louisiana or Mississippi Medicaid for medical expense coverage.
Central Pricing Office	Provides personalized billing estimates for medical procedures. Patients must contact their physician´s office for procedure details and provide insurance information to receive an estimate.
Prepayment Options	Allows patients to prepay before their appointments through the MyOchsner account or with assistance from the Financial Call Center.
Insurance Guidance	Helps insured patients confirm coverage for upcoming visits and services to avoid being considered uninsured.
Uninsured Discount	Offers a discounted rate for uninsured patients calculated based on the average payor yield.

| Accommodation Type | Details | |----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Physical Accessibility | Fully accessible facilities including elevators, ramps, and ADA-compliant restrooms to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges. | | Assistive Devices | Wheelchairs and other mobility aids are available for use within the hospital premises. | | Communication Aids | Sign language interpreters and written communication materials (e.g., braille or large print) are available upon request. | | Priority Services | Dedicated support for expedited services for individuals with complex disabilities or medical needs. | | Staff Training | Staff trained in inclusive care practices, including managing special needs and effective communication with individuals with sensory or cognitive impairments. |

Department	Service	Details
Telemedicine Options	CareConnect 360	Provides virtual access to urgent, primary, and specialty care. Enables remote monitoring, supports hospitals with specialist consultations, and reduces patient transfers by treating critical conditions locally.
Telemedicine Options	Ochsner Connected Anywhere	Offers urgent care and behavioral health virtual visits, allowing patients to connect with providers via video for various health concerns.
Online Consultation Platforms	MyOchsner Portal	Allows patients to schedule appointments, view test results, communicate with providers, access real-time hospital stay details, and conduct e-visits via secure messaging or video calls.
Remote Monitoring Tools	Connected Health Programs	Supports chronic disease management (hypertension, diabetes, etc.) with Bluetooth-enabled devices that send data directly to dashboards for real-time interventions by healthcare teams.
Remote Monitoring Tools	Fall Prevention Technology	Tracks gait and fall risks with smart home networks and Apple Watch integration, offering 24/7 support for emergency or non-emergency responses.
Patient Portals	MyOchsner	Provides secure access to health records, appointment management, virtual visits, billing, and proxy account options for dependents or loved ones.
Continuous Monitoring	Real-time Data Integration	Utilizes remote tools and integrated dashboards to monitor patient conditions actively, allowing timely interventions and reducing hospitalizations.

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Department	Programs/Training	Details
Cardiology	Residency Rotations	Includes specialized training in cardiology as part of general rotation programs with emphasis on diagnostics and treatment of heart diseases.
Obstetrics & Gynecology	Residency Rotations	Exposure to prenatal, labor, postnatal care, and gynecological surgeries during rotations.
Neurology	Not specified	Training programs not currently detailed for this department.
Family Medicine	Residency Program	Focused on comprehensive outpatient and inpatient primary care, including community-based services.
Internal Medicine	Residency Program	Includes inpatient and outpatient training in diverse medical conditions. Emphasis on cost-conscious and effective treatments.
Sports Medicine	Fellowship Program	Advanced training in musculoskeletal injuries, sports-related conditions, and rehabilitation techniques.
Geriatrics	Fellowship Program	Focused on healthcare for older adults, emphasizing chronic disease management and multi-disciplinary care.
Ophthalmology	Residency Rotations	Hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating eye conditions as part of rotational programs.
Surgery	Residency Rotations	Comprehensive exposure to surgical techniques, perioperative care, and patient management during rotations.
Orthopedics	Residency Rotations	Focused on musculoskeletal injuries, bone surgeries, and rehabilitation techniques.
Otolaryngology	Residency Rotations	Training in treating conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat through comprehensive rotations.
General Medical Education	Rural Scholars Track	Medical students complete preceptor-led community clinical training and elective rotations to enhance rural healthcare skills.
Medical Library	Resource Access	Accessible to all residents, fellows, and faculty, offering high-quality medical information and professional library services.

Department	Research Projects	Impact
Infectious Diseases	Antimicrobial Stewardship and Best Practices HIV-Positive Transplantation Studies Vaccines for Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Diagnostics PrEP Awareness for Transgender Women	Reduced infections through better stewardship Advanced care protocols for HIV patients Enhanced diagnostic accuracy
Cardiology	Clinical trials for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and arrhythmias Cardiac resynchronization therapy Implanted device registries	Improved treatments for cardiac conditions Advance in arrhythmia therapies Better device effectiveness tracking
Obstetrics and Gynecology	Quality improvement studies on stillbirth evaluation Standardized protocols for cesarean section care Maternal and neonatal outcomes research	Enhanced maternal and newborn care Evidence-based practice improvements Education for healthcare providers
Oncology	Early-phase clinical cancer trials Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy Therapeutics for advanced cancers	Access to cutting-edge cancer treatments Improved lung cancer diagnostics Multidisciplinary collaboration
General Surgery	Five-year surgical residency program Training in high-level trauma care	Increase in surgical expertise Improved patient care and access

Department	Affiliations	Professional Development Programs
Clinical Pastoral	Graduate Medical Education (GME) Programs	Training in spiritual care for healthcare professionals
Cardiology	Partnership with Cardiovascular Institute of the South	Emergency and advanced cardiology services
Medical Physics	Graduate Medical Education (GME) Programs	Training in specialized radiological and imaging techniques
Pharmacy	Ochsner LSU Health Systems	PGY-1 Community Pharmacy Residency PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency
Family Medicine	LSU Health Graduate Medical Education	Residency and fellowship training programs
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	GME Affiliation	Training in advanced surgical techniques for oral health
Oncology	American Medical Association Joy in Medicine Program	PGY-2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency
Psychiatry	Graduate Medical Education Programs	Residency programs focusing on mental health
Respiratory Therapy	GME and affiliated partnerships	Training in pulmonary lab and respiratory disorders
Internal Medicine	LSU Health Graduate Medical Education	Subspecialty and fellowship opportunities

Department	Certification	Accreditation Body
Neonatology (Safe Sleep)	Gold Safe Sleep Hospital	Cribs for Kids®
Internal Medicine	Graduate Medical Education Residency	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Family Medicine	Graduate Medical Education Residency	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Cardiology	Fellowship Program	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Emergency Medicine	Residency Program	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Geriatrics	Fellowship Program	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Pediatrics	Residency Program	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Sports Medicine	Fellowship Program	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Urogynecology	Fellowship Program	Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

markdown | Department | Internship or Observation Opportunities | |---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Biomedical Sciences | Ochsner Academics Summer Internship for Students (OASIS) program offering clinical shadowing, academic experiences, lectures, and panel discussions for undergraduate students interested in medicine, physician assistant roles, or biomedical research careers. | | Cardiology | Clinical Research Internship offering rotations in Cardiology as part of a 6-month, full-time, paid program involving clinical research participation and didactic learning. | | Emergency Medicine | 4-week elective rotation for 4th-year medical students, including participation in direct patient care, emergency procedures, and residency didactics. | | Family Medicine | Acting Internship and elective rotations for medical students, providing hands-on patient care in a supervised setting through the LSU School of Medicine programs. | | Internal Medicine | Acting Internship and 3rd-year ward rotations for medical students, focusing on clinical exposure and practical skill development under supervision. | | Nursing | Nurse Tech Intern program for pre-licensure RN students to gain clinical setting experience and strengthen practical nursing skills under the guidance of experienced staff. | | Oncology | Clinical Research Internship including rotations in Oncology as part of comprehensive research training. | | Orthopedics | Clinical Research Internship with Orthopedics rotations integrated into research and clinical exposure. | | Research | Clinical Research Internship covering rotations in Neuroscience, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and more, alongside regulatory, quality assurance, and research finance training. | | Surgery | Elective rotations in Multispecialty Medicine/Surgery for medical students through Ochsner´s research and clinical programs. | | Translational Research| Clinical Research Internship involving Biobank/Translational research rotations, focusing on creating connections between research and clinical care. |

Award	Year	Category
Guardian of Excellence Award	2022	Patient Experience in Outpatient Services
WebMD Choice Award	2024-2025	Elite Choice in Oncology, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology
HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence	2024	Innovation in Digital Health Tools and Patient Safety
Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards	2024	Innovation, Work-Life Flexibility, Leadership, Purpose & Values
Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award	2025	Employee Engagement

Department	Residency/Fellowship Program
Cardiology	Cardiology Rotations (as part of LSU GME)
Family Medicine	LSU Family Medicine Residency Program
Geriatrics	LSU Geriatrics Fellowship Program
General Surgery	Ochsner Lafayette General Surgery Residency Program (starting July 2024)
Hematology & Oncology	Ochsner Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship Program
Internal Medicine	LSU Internal Medicine Residency Program
Obstetrics and Gynecology	OB-GYN Rotations (as part of LSU GME)
Sports Medicine	LSU Sports Medicine Fellowship Program
Endocrinology	Endocrinology Rotations (as part of General Surgery Residency)
Orthopedics	Orthopedics Rotations (as part of LSU GME)
Otolaryngology	Otolaryngology Rotations (as part of LSU GME)
Pediatrics	Pediatrics Rotations (as part of General Surgery Residency)
Ophthalmology	Ophthalmology Rotations (as part of LSU GME)
Plastic Surgery	Plastic Surgery Rotations (as part of General Surgery Residency)
Sports Medicine	Sports Medicine Fellowship (Additional Year Training)

Department	Program
Cardiology	LSU Fellowship Rotation
Endocrinology	Rotation as part of General Surgery Residency
Family Medicine	LSU Residency Program
Gastroenterology	Fellowship
General Surgery	Residency Program
Geriatrics	LSU Fellowship
Hematology & Medical Oncology	Fellowship Program
Internal Medicine	Residency Program
Obstetrics & Gynecology	LSU Rotation
Ophthalmology	LSU Fellowship Rotation
Orthopedics	LSU Fellowship Rotation
Pediatrics	Rotation as part of General Surgery Residency
Sports Medicine	LSU Fellowship
Transplant Surgery	Rotation as part of General Surgery Residency

markdown | Service/Support Option | Description | |---------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Financial Assistance Program | Offers free or discounted eligible medically necessary services for eligible uninsured patients. | | Payment Plans | Provides options for patients to pay healthcare costs in installments based on financial capacity.| | Emergency Care Guarantee | Ensures care for emergency medical conditions without discrimination or upfront payment. | | Discounted Services | Discounts available for patients with incomes up to 200% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL). | | Community Mobile Health Clinic | Provides access to primary care, dental care, and wellness programs in underserved areas. | | Patient Assistance Fund | Helps cover costs such as transportation, meals, and lodging for patients and their families. | | Screening for Financial Need | Patients screened for financial need using applications or third-party tools before services. | | Guidance on Health Coverage | Offers information on Medicaid and assistance navigating alternative health insurance options. | | No Extraordinary Collections | Avoids extreme measures like wage garnishment or liens for unpaid medical bills. | | Smoking Cessation Programs | Provides support and education for patients looking to quit smoking. | | Health and Wellness Education | Offers classes on diabetes, lifestyle changes, and prevention strategies. | | Contact Patient Financial Services | Assistance available via phone, email, fax, or in-person visits for financial-related inquiries. |

Department	Partner Institution/Lab	Collaboration Details	Affiliated University/Research Center
Cardiology	Institute of Translational Research (ITR)	Conducts molecular cardiovascular research using cutting-edge technology, with a focus on improving patient outcomes.	Ochsner Health
Cancer Research	Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium (LCRC)	Collaborates on cancer therapies, clinical trials, and translational research.	LSU Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, Xavier University
Endocrinology	Laboratory of Molecular Genetics	Studies cellular processes leading to osteoporosis and develops prevention methods.	Ochsner Health
Nursing	UL Lafayette Accelerated BSN Program	Develops a nursing workforce to address regional shortages through an expedited Bachelor´s in Nursing program.	University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Translational Research	Ochsner-UQ Collaborative	Facilitates research training and participation in MBBS/MPhil and MBBS/PhD programs.	University of Queensland
Public Health	Healthy State by 2030 Initiative	Focuses on eliminating healthcare barriers and understanding state health disparities.	University of Louisiana System
Healthcare Training	Workforce Development Partnerships	Invests in educational programs for healthcare professionals across various community and technical colleges.	Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges

markdown | Department | Mentorship and Advisory Programs | |-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Obstetrics & Gynecology | Multi-dimensional mentorship program that pairs residents (upper and lower level) with a faculty member to foster growth, leadership, and camaraderie. This structured support system helps navigate residency and beyond while preventing individuals from being overlooked. | | Internal Medicine | Strong mentorship culture with resident camaraderie and structured support from chiefs and staff. Focused on growth through clinical exposure and balancing work-life needs while preparing for fellowship or independent medical practice. | | Hand Therapy Fellowship | A 12-month program providing structured mentorship by certified hand therapists. Includes collaboration with physicians, clinical practice, and evidence-based didactic curriculum. Graduates are supported to achieve Certified Hand Therapy (CHT) credentials and engage in research and community outreach. | | Therapy & Wellness Programs | Post-graduate residency and fellowship programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology offering mentorship from board-certified therapists. Includes access to a current, evidence-based curriculum and collaboration with expert physicians. | | Ochsner Nurse Scholars | Mentorship and career guidance included in the program for students pursuing nursing or allied health degrees. Scholars receive tuition support in exchange for post-graduation service at Ochsner Health. Comprehensive support includes career preparation, mentorship, and integration into the healthcare team. | | Graduate Medical Education | Structured mentorship framework involving voluntary faculty mentors, facilitated meetings, and active pairing of mentees with mentors. Focus areas include post-training career planning, clinical skill advancement, and networking. Mentorships are supported through training, tools, and accountability systems to ensure success. |