HJNO Jul/Aug 2026

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JUL / AUG 2026 65 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com operational management, and professional devel- opment of APPs across LCMC Health’s hospitals, outpatient clinics, and affiliated practices, and will serve as a systemwide leader, advocate, and subject matter expert for APP practice, helping ensure high-quality, patient-centered care aligned with LCMC Health’s mission and long-term stra- tegic priorities. Kirkland joins LCMC Health with more than 16 years of clinical experience and 13 years of pro- gressive leadership experience, most recently serving as executive director of advanced prac- tice providers for Piedmont, the largest health- care system in Georgia. Her clinical background spans pulmonary and critical care, internal medi- cine, emergency medicine, urgent care, and surgi- cal ICU. Throughout her career, she has led initia- tives focused on APP recruitment, compensation strategy, workforce analytics, professional devel- opment, and system-level representation of APP priorities. STHS Earns Healthgrades’ Outstanding Patient Experience Award St. Tammany Health System’s flagship St. Tam- many Parish Hospital has again been recognized with Healthgrades’ Outstanding Patient Experi- ence Award. It is the hospital’s third consecutive year earning the national honor. This year’s recipients include 373 hospitals from 46 states and represent the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. NewBoard Chair and Vice Chair Named at Terrebonne General Health System Bernadette Robinet Pickett and Tanner Magee have been named as chairwoman and vice chairman, respectively, of Terrebonne General Health System and Southern Regional Medical Corporation (SRMC) Board of Commissioners. Pickett has been a board member since 2015. She is an assistant district attorney (ADA) for Terrebonne Parish. A graduate of Xavier University, she was awarded a fellowship to the University of New Orleans to pursue a master’s degree in urban government and city politics. She earned her law degree from Southern University Law Center. In her capacity as an ADA for Terrebonne Parish, Pickett was instrumental in establishing the Drug Treatment Court and the first DWI Court in Louisiana. She is the victim advocate for the district attorney’s office overseeing the victim’s unit and she oversees the operations of the Family Services Unit and the Truancy Reduction Intervention Program. She is also the executive director of the Terrebonne Children’s Advocacy Center. Magee joined the board of commissioners in 2024. He is a criminal defense lawyer at Landry Magee, LLC, a law firm located in Houma. He served as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 53 in 2015 and from 2020 to 2024, served as speaker pro tempore. Magee received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and civil law, a master’s degree in public administration, and his law degree from Louisiana State University. He also serves on the board of the foundation for Terrebonne General Health System. Ochsner Hospitals Among Newsweek and Statista America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2026 Three Ochsner Health hospitals are recog- nized on a list of America’s Best Maternity Hospi- tals 2026, presented by Newsweek and Statista. Those hospitals are: • Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge; • Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans, inclusive of Ochsner Baptist, A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center and Ochsner Medi- cal Center – West Bank Campus; and • Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center. Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Receives National Certifications Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has earned two national certifications in cancer treatment. The Cancer Center is re-cer- tified by the Quality Oncology Practice Initia- tive (QOPI) Certification Program and awarded a three-year re-accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology. The QOPI Certification Program awards a three- year certification for outpatient hematology- oncology practices that meet nationally-recog- nized standards for quality cancer care. Thibodaux Regional Health SystemPartners to Provide Expanded Services Thibodaux Regional Health System and South- ern ENT Associates are partnering to provide head and neck, allergy, and sleep care to the region. Through this relationship, Thibodaux Regional will be the only hospital in the region to provide 24/7 emergency department cover- age for ENT (ear, nose, and throat) and advanced related services. Through this partnership, Southern ENT will also work collaboratively with Thibodaux Regional to enhance clinical quality, patient satisfaction, and efficiency. Thibodaux Regional and Southern ENT will establish a head/neck oncology tumor board in association with LSU Otolaryngology. The multi- disciplinary team of physicians will meet regularly to present and discuss tumor cases to determine the best possible treatment plan for patients. n Bernadette Robinet Pickett Tanner Magee