HJNO Nov/Dec 2025

48 NOV / DEC 2025  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS Hospital Rounds Thibodaux Regional Welcomes Dallas Domangue, MD, to theMedical Staff Dallas Domangue, MD, anesthesiologist, has joined Thibodaux Regional Health System’s med- ical staff. Domangue earned an undergraduate degree from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and received a medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed a residency in anesthesiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Domangue is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiology. Ochsner HealthWelcomes MatthewGeorge, MD, Ochsner Physician Scholar Matthew George, MD, Ochsner Health’s second Ochsner Physician Scholar, has joined Ochsner Health Center – Lapalco and Ochsner Health Cen- ter – Belle Chasse as a family medicine physician. The Ochsner Physician Scholars Program is designed to cultivate and retain top medical talent within Louisiana, directly addressing the growing physician workforce shortage impact- ing the state and the nation. The program pro- vides support to medical students from The Uni- versity of Queensland Medical School – Ochsner Health and the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. George graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Louisiana Tech University. He earned a medical degree from LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in family medicine. George has a background in research and cur- rently serves on the Louisiana Department of Health HIV Task Force. He is also a member of the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians. Ochsner Announces Nneka Ifejika, MD, as Ferber Endowed Chair Nneka Ifejika, MD, chief scientific officer for Ochsner Health, has been named the Ferber Endowed Chair, a three-year role. Ifejika was selected for her leadership in clinical innovation, research, and physician education. The endowment will support Ifejika’s research and work advancing novel approaches in stroke recovery, as well as her mentorship of faculty and residents. She will help advance research at Och- sner Medical Center – New Orleans by focusing on recruitment and career development of physi- cians committed to funded research. The endow- ment is funded by a gift from a trust. Terrebonne General Health SystemAnnounces Two NewBoardMembers Mark S. Felger and Jerome P. Zeringue have joined Terrebonne General Health System and Southern Regional Medical Corporation (SRMC)’s board of commissioners. Felger, a retired CPA, obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Nicholls State Univer- sity in 1990. He is the treasurer and CFO of Bre- mark, Inc. d/b/a Felger’s Footwear. Zeringue earned a bachelor’s degree in zool- ogy from Louisiana State University in 1986 and a master’s degree in fisheries science from Louisi- ana State University in 1989. He is working toward a doctorate in water resource management from Tulane University. He is serves as the House Rep- resentative for District 52 of Houma and the prin- cipal of Progressive Coastal Consultants. Ochsner Health, Saints, Pelicans Announce Plans for NewMedical Complex Ochsner Health, in partnership with the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, will open a new medical complex on the corner of Airline Drive and Tom Benson Way in Metairie, adjacent to Ochsner Sports Performance Center, the practice facility for the Saints and Pelicans. James Andrews, MD, and Andrews Medicine will also play an integral role in the design of the Och- sner Medical Complex – Airline and its orthopedic and sports medicine services. Andrews Medicine is a venture that partners with healthcare systems nationwide to deliver orthopedic and sports med- icine care. Plans for the medical complex include a two- story building spanning more than 46,000 square feet. Anchored by Ochsner’s personalized ortho- pedics and sports medicine care for both profes- sional and amateur athletes, phase one of the building will also include pediatrics, women’s ser- vices, physical therapy, imaging, and lab services. Future growth in the second phase will add out- patient surgical capabilities and expanded clini- cal services. Construction of the $45.6 million complex will begin later this year, with an anticipated opening in late 2027. Ochsner Medical Complex – Airline will have an estimated economic impact of $134 million over the next 10 years and bring more than 60 permanent jobs to Jefferson Parish. Ochsner Health Announces President, COOTransition Mike Hulefeld, president and chief operating officer (COO) of Ochsner Health, will be stepping down from his role at the end of 2025. Timothy Riddell, MD, has been named the executive vice president and chief operating officer effective on Hulefeld’s departure. Hulefeld’s career with Ochsner spans 27 years, the last 13 years as COO. Prior to that, he was chief executive officer of Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans for four years. He joined Ochsner as an administrative fellow and served in many roles throughout the years. Hulefeld will remain involved with the organization after his transition, most notably serving as a mentor, coach, and edu- cator to develop Ochsner leaders. Since January 1, Riddell has served as the chief medical officer for Ochsner’s Northshore, Mis- sissippi Gulf Coast, Baton Rouge, Acadiana, and Rush (central Mississippi and east Alabama) regions. Previously, he was the regional chief exec- utive officer for Northshore and Mississippi Gulf Coast regions. Riddell is a family practice phy- sician and has been a member of the Ochsner group practice for 28 years. Dallas Domangue, MD