Ochsner Transplant Institute

10/23/2026

Congratulations to transplant surgeon Ari Cohen, MD, a winner in the 2026 New Orleans CityBusiness Healthcare Heroes Awards! These awards recognize individuals and groups based on industry achievement and community involvement that set the pace for local healthcare.

Dr. Cohen is director of the Ochsner Transplant Institute and a nationally recognized transplant surgeon whose career has been dedicated to advancing organ transplantation and transforming lives across Louisiana and the Gulf South. A specialist in liver transplantation, kidney transplantation and living donor transplantation, Dr. Cohen has been a member of the Ochsner medical staff since 2002 and has helped shape one of the region’s most comprehensive and respected transplant programs.

Throughout his more than two decades at Ochsner, Dr. Cohen has played a pivotal role in growing the Transplant Institute while building on a legacy that spans more than 40 years of transplant excellence. Under his leadership, the Institute has expanded access to innovative therapies, advanced surgical techniques and multidisciplinary care models that improve outcomes for patients facing life-threatening organ failure. Today, Ochsner is the most active and experienced transplant center in Louisiana and the Gulf South, having performed more than 10,000 life-saving transplants.

Dr. Cohen has championed initiatives that position Ochsner at the forefront of transplant medicine, including robotic-assisted transplantation, organ preservation technologies and living donor programs. Known for his clinical expertise, compassionate approach and visionary leadership, he remains committed to honoring the gift of donation, advancing the field of transplantation and ensuring patients throughout the region have access to world-class care close to home.

Learn more the awards: https://ow.ly/4AJG5100Fow
Learn more about Dr. Cohen here: https://ow.ly/eHAw5100FxM

Ari J. Cohen, MD, specializes in Kidney and Liver Transplant Surgery, Liver Transplant Surgery and Transplant Surgery at Ochsner Health.

10/22/2026

When Amy Raspino, BSN, RN, CCTC, joined Ochsner's transplant program 25 years ago, the team was small, the volume was modest and the future of transplantation was just beginning to unfold. Today, she's proud to have witnessed firsthand the growth that helped Ochsner reach an incredible milestone: 10,000 transplants.

Amy has spent 35 years at Ochsner, including the last 25 as a liver transplant coordinator. During that time, she has helped guide patients through life-changing transplant journeys while watching the transplant program evolve into one of the nation's leading programs.

"When I started in transplant in 2000, we had two surgeons, two hepatologists and a small team of nurses and coordinators," Amy said. "We performed far fewer than 100 transplants a year. Seeing how much we've grown has been amazing."

Over the years, Amy has helped support the expansion of transplant services, including the addition of lung transplantation, living donor liver and kidney transplantation, pediatric transplantation and complex dual-organ transplants. She has also seen advancements in technology transform the field, creating new opportunities to save and improve lives.

For Amy, some of the greatest rewards have come from the relationships she has built along the way.

"I've built many friendships with my co-workers and with my patients," she said. "Patients often think of their coordinators as family."

Amy credits the program's success to the dedicated multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and coordinators who work together every day to provide exceptional care. She is especially proud to be part of a nursing team known for its expertise, commitment and longevity.

As Ochsner celebrates 10,000 transplants, we recognize Amy for her 25 years of service and dedication to helping patients receive a second chance at life. 💙

Learn more about liver transplants at Ochsner by visiting https://ow.ly/q2Et50ZyZkx.

10/20/2026

A liver transplant isn't a decision made by one physician. It takes an entire team.

Mariana Zapata, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, explains how transplant specialists work together to evaluate patients and determine who may benefit most from a liver transplant. From physicians and surgeons to pharmacists and social workers, every perspective matters in the journey to transplantation.

Learn more about liver transplants at Ochsner by visiting https://ow.ly/vMRH50ZxJr7.

10/14/2026

In this video, Ochsner transplant surgeon Ari Cohen, MD, explores how robotic techniques and advances in organ preservation are transforming transplant medicine at Ochsner Health. Together, these innovations are giving surgeons greater precision, extending the viability of donor organs and expanding the window to reach more patients.
It's a clear look at breakthroughs in action, and where the field is headed next. For leaders and clinicians shaping the future of care, Dr. Cohen's perspective offers a valuable view into the technology driving better outcomes.
Watch Dr. Cohen's insights here:

An Ochsner transplant surgeon discusses 10,000 transplants and how new tools are expanding who can receive an organ.

10/13/2026

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, yet myths about organ donation still prevent many people from registering.

Understanding the facts can help you make an informed decision and potentially give someone a second chance at life. Learn the truth behind some of the most common misconceptions about organ donation.

Discover life-saving organ donation facts, including how living liver and kidney donations at Ochsner Health give patients a second chance.

10/12/2026

For nearly 17 years, Ardyn Treadway, RN, has cared for transplant patients on the Transplant Step-Down Unit at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, building the kind of lasting connections that turn coworkers into family and patients into lifelong inspirations.

As Ochsner celebrates 10,000 transplants, Ardyn is honored to be part of a milestone that reflects decades of dedication, teamwork and life-changing care.

A fourth-generation nurse, Ardyn grew up surrounded by healthcare and always knew she wanted to help others. During nursing school, she discovered something special while completing her senior preceptorship on the transplant unit: the deep relationships transplant caregivers build with their patients.

"I saw the connection everyone had with our patients and honestly the connection of everyone in transplant," she said. "We are more than a team. We are family."

Since joining the unit in 2010, Ardyn has cared for patients through every stage of the transplant journey while helping the program grow and evolve. She's witnessed remarkable advancements in care, with patients recovering faster and returning home sooner than ever before thanks to new protocols, surgical innovations and advances in transplant medicine.

Beyond the bedside, Ardyn has remained deeply involved in the transplant community, serving in leadership roles with the Louisiana chapter of the International Transplant Nurses Society and currently serving as president. She also stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping open new patient care areas to support the system's response during a critical time.

For Ardyn, some of the most meaningful moments come during Ochsner's annual transplant holiday celebrations, where she sees former patients thriving long after their transplant.

"It's amazing seeing patients who we never thought would make it through the night doing so well and living their lives outside the hospital," she said.

Ardyn credits the transplant team for supporting one another through life's biggest moments, both inside and outside of work. That culture of compassion and connection is one reason she considers herself a "lifer" in transplant.

Thank you, Ardyn, for all you do!

Learn more about organ transplants and donation at Ochsner by visiting https://ow.ly/qlQg50ZyZfm.

10/08/2026

Meet Janet Perez, RN, a cornerstone of the Ochsner Transplant Institute and one of the longest‑tenured members of the transplant team.

Janet has been a nurse at Ochsner for over 40 years. She became a transplant nurse in 1987, when kidney transplant patients were moved to the unit she worked on. A year later, Ochsner hired its first liver transplant surgeon, and Janet found herself at the beginning of a program that would grow into one of the most advanced transplant centers in the Gulf South.

“I was excited to be a member of the transplant team and begin caring for this new group of patients,” she shared. What she didn’t know then was that she would help shape the very foundation of transplant nursing at Ochsner.

Janet helped launch Ochsner’s liver and pancreas‑kidney transplant programs, becoming the first continuity facilitator, later known as a patient care coordinator, for abdominal transplant patients. She learned transplantation directly from the surgeons, fellows, pharmacists, coordinators and social workers she worked alongside. With that knowledge, she wrote Ochsner’s first standards of care for abdominal transplant patients and created an eight‑hour course called Care of the Abdominal Transplant Patient to train nurses in this emerging specialty.

Her leadership extended beyond Ochsner. Janet co‑founded the Louisiana Chapter of the International Transplant Nurses Society, becoming part of the fourth chapter ever chartered. “Our chapter is still going strong today,” she said, “providing education for transplant nurses from different centers.”

Janet also helped solve one of the earliest challenges in transplant care: medication non‑compliance. She helped create the Transplant Self‑Administration Medication Protocol, giving patients hands‑on practice preparing and taking their immunosuppression safely — a protocol still used today.

Across four decades, Janet has watched transplant evolve from paper charts to robotic kidney transplants, living donor liver transplants, advanced rejection therapies and a fully dedicated Transplant Step‑Down Unit. She helped open that unit in 2005, a milestone she calls “a wonderful feeling to see come to fruition.”

Through every innovation, every new medication, every expansion of the program, Janet says the heart of transplant nursing has stayed the same. “It is the joy these patients have at discharge and when they return to visit that keeps me committed,” she shared. “Being part of the transplant team as a transplant nurse is the best nursing role to have, and I do not want to do anything else.”

Thank you, Janet, for 40 years of dedication to Ochsner and for helping shape the transplant program into what it is today!

Learn more about organ transplants and donation at Ochsner by visiting https://ow.ly/iIMr50ZABiM.

The Ochsner Transplant Institute is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and offers shorter wait times, leading surgeons and superior care for life-saving organ transplants.

10/08/2026

10,000 organ transplants. That's the milestone behind Dr. Ari Cohen's reflection on decades of transplant medicine at Ochsner Health. Few careers offer this kind of vantage point, and the lessons run deep.
In this conversation, Dr. Cohen shares what 10,000 transplants have taught him about advancing patient care, building strong clinical teams and pushing the field forward. It's a rare look at breakthroughs in action and the persistence behind every outcome.
The takeaway for anyone shaping the future of healthcare: progress is measured one life at a time.
Watch Dr. Cohen's insights here: https://ow.ly/x0Xv50ZSRlQ

Ochsner Transplant Institute director discusses liver transplant care, robotic kidney transplant, organ preservation, and access gaps.

10/06/2026

The Ochsner Transplant Institute has made a major breakthrough in action: our 50th robotic kidney transplant.
The teamwork that goes into a program like this demonstrates Ochsner's commitment to giving our patients cutting-edge, precision treatments that enhance their healing, recovery and getting back to life.
Pictured are surgeons Dennis Sonnier, MD; Humberto Bohorquez, MD; Emily Bugeaud, MD; John Seal MD; and Anthony Woods, RNFA.
Learn more about kidney transplants at Ochsner: https://ow.ly/alu750ZUGV9
Learn more about robotic surgery at Ochsner: https://ow.ly/xgBg50ZUGV7

10/06/2026

Every transplant story is unique, but the goal is the same: helping patients get a second chance at life.

Steven Young, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, shares what makes his work so rewarding and why caring for transplant patients is more than just medicine. ❤️

Learn more about Dr. Young by visiting https://ow.ly/FsZn50ZxJo0.

10/01/2026

We’re excited to celebrate the ribbon cutting of The Debra H. And Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute today, a first-of-its-kind destination for neuroscience care in the Gulf South.

The facility brings together leading specialists, advanced technology, rehabilitation services and behavioral health all under one roof, including the Team Gleason Assistive Technology Lab, which helps people living with ALS and other neurological conditions live with greater independence.

"The Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute marks a significant investment in the health of our communities and the future of neuroscience care. We are deeply grateful to Debbie and Bobby Patrick for their extraordinary generosity, along with the many donors whose support made this vision a reality," said Pete November, president and CEO of Ochsner Health. "Because of their commitment, patients and families throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South have greater access to nationally recognized neuroscience expertise and comprehensive care close to home for generations to come."

Debbie and Bobby Patrick also made an additional gift, establishing the Patrick Neuroscience Academy within the Institute. This program is dedicated to educating and developing the next generation of neuroscience physicians, clinicians, researchers, and leaders.

Clinic outpatient appointments start Monday, Oct. 5.

To learn more about The Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute, visit: https://ow.ly/V10f50ZTLg4

10/01/2026

Starting Monday, Oct. 5, patients and families across the Gulf South can find expert neuroscience care, behavioral health, advanced rehabilitation and therapy and wellness services under one roof at The Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute, the only facility of its kind between Houston and Atlanta.

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Todd Mule, vice president of neurosciences; BJ Lanier, director of clinic operations for neurosciences; and Dr. David Houghton, system chair of neurology, led a media tour through The Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute.

The 132,000-square-foot facility brings Ochsner Health's nationally renowned neuroscience programs together under one roof, creating a more connected and compassionate experience for patients and families across the Gulf South.

The facility offers outpatient neuroscience care, psychiatry and behavioral health, advanced rehabilitation, and integrative therapies like music, yoga, art and creative writing.

Because you deserve exceptional care, close to home.

Learn more about Ochsner's neuroscience care: https://ow.ly/6Vwq50ZTAtS

09/30/2026

Therese "Devonne" L. came to Ochsner's infusion center as a kidney transplant patient needing treatment for osteoporosis. She didn't know what to expect, but the care team put her at ease from the start.

“I do all of my medical care at Ochsner," Therese said. "They are the absolute best. They are so caring and supportive. Each of these nurses does everything they can to make sure you are comfortable and well-taken care of."

Beyond the comfort of each visit, infusion therapy brought her peace.

"Knowing that my osteoporosis is being addressed and steps taken to prevent bone loss takes a worry off of my mind."

For anyone nervous about a first infusion visit, Therese would recommend leaning on the team: "Don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have. Let the nurses know if you're nervous, afraid or anxious. They will help you through it."

Therese summed up her experience as: "The utmost professional care given in a calm, supportive environment by compassionate people who only want the best for you."

That's the Ochsner difference.

If you or a loved one has questions about infusion therapy at Ochsner, talk with your care team to learn more: https://ow.ly/aVbP50ZSKIu

09/29/2026

Twenty years ago, Ochsner brought the West Bank into the family, and we’d like to celebrate that with you, right where it all began.

Join us for a free Family Picnic filled with:
💙 Delicious food
💙 Bounce houses and games
💙 Live entertainment
💙 Trunk or Treat
💙 Face painting and family activities

Come hungry! Attendees can enjoy a free plate with a hamburger or hot dog, chips and drinks, available while supplies last. We’ll also have free popcorn and snowballs to enjoy.

The event will take place:
📅 Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
🕙 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 Ochsner West Bank, 2500 Belle Chasse Hwy, Gretna, LA (front parking lot)

For 20 years, this community has trusted Ochsner West Bank with its health. This one's our way of saying thank you.

Bring the whole family and celebrate with us. We look forward to seeing you there!

09/28/2026

One week to go! 🧠

On Oct. 5, The Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans opens its doors to patients. This 132,000-square-foot facility brings together Ochsner Health's nationally renowned neuroscience programs under one roof, creating a more connected and compassionate experience for patients and families across the Gulf South.

As the only neuroscience facility of its kind between Houston and Atlanta, it expands access to expert care close to home.

Learn more about The Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute: https://ow.ly/EiQI50ZSsvC

09/25/2026

This APP Week, we are happy to celebrate the advanced practice providers who show up for every patient they serve at Ochsner Baptist.

Among them is Alex Napolitan, PA, one of our physician assistants, who shared why this work matters.

"I became a physician assistant because I wanted to make a meaningful contribution to healthcare while having a tangible impact on patient care. What I enjoy most is the opportunity to build relationships with patients — meeting them where they are, understanding what matters to them and working together to improve their health," Alex said.

APPs like Alex strengthen our care teams, deepen our connection to patients and help our community stay well.

To Alex Napolitan, PA, Rachel Hyde, NP, and Raymond Gutierrez, NP, who are pictured here, and to every APP at Ochsner Baptist: thank you for the difference you make each day.

09/25/2026

Your health deserves a full team, not just one visit a year.

Your OB/GYN and your primary care doctor each play a different role in keeping you well. One focuses on your reproductive, breast and pelvic health, and the other watches over your whole body, catching preventive conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and prediabetes before they become bigger problems.

And in the New Orleans area, you can have both under one roof.

At four convenient locations, Ochsner Health brings women's services and primary care together:
💙 Ochsner Medical Center - Clearview
💙 Ochsner Health Center - Lake Terrace
💙 Ochsner Baptist
💙 Ochsner Health Center - Old Metairie

That means one place, one connected care team and complete coverage for the health that matters most to you.

Schedule your appointment today at https://ow.ly/sNIR50ZR5Uu or through MyOchsner.

https://ow.ly/tLr950ZR5XI

Can your OB/GYN replace a primary care doctor? Learn why women benefit from both and how each protects your whole-body health.

09/24/2026

Nexus DevDays Cancer Care and Prevention Challenge finals are tomorrow. 🎉

Louisiana college students spent weeks building tech solutions to improve the cancer care journey. Tomorrow, the top finalists compete for $10,000 in total cash prizes.

Ochsner Health is proud to partner with Nexus Louisiana on this challenge.

📅 Sept. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nexus Louisiana in Baton Rouge

Cheer on the next generation of innovators.

Learn more about Ochsner's partnership with Nexus Louisiana at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9EmBE5ZXIg.

Nexus Louisiana and Ochsner Health are challenging Louisiana studen...

09/22/2026

What leads someone to spend their life caring for yours? 💙

This APP Week, we're celebrating the advanced practice providers who bring expert primary care to communities across every Ochsner region. They partner with you and your family through every season of life, and their reasons for choosing this work say it all.

For some, it started with a calling to serve more deeply. Adrienne Alexander, a nurse practitioner, put it this way: "I became a nurse practitioner because I wanted to serve my patients in a broader way and make an even greater impact on their overall health. I saw an opportunity to provide quality care, educate, advocate and empower patients to take an active role in their health."

For others, it grew from a need they saw firsthand. Tiffany Dearman, a nurse practitioner, said: "I was a nurse working for a home health company and I saw a huge need with patients that needed a primary care provider. I went back to school so I could try to help patients have access to primary care."

And for many, it comes down to relationships that last a lifetime. Matthew Bassett, a physician assistant, said: "Building relationships with patients and caring for them through different seasons of life is the most fulfilling aspect of practicing medicine."

To every primary care APP across our regions: Thank you for everything you do for our patients every day.

09/21/2026

Ochsner Children's has been recognized nationally for exceptional pediatric care for a decade! 🎉

For the 10th consecutive year, Ochsner Children's has received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek for providing the highest quality care to our pediatric patients across Louisiana and the Gulf South.

This year, Ochsner Children’s earned three U.S. News Top 50 pediatric specialty rankings:

⭐ Pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, ranked among the top 30
⭐ Pediatric gastroenterology and GI surgery
⭐ Pediatric orthopedics

The expert teams behind these nationally recognized specialties care for children with some of the most complex medical needs, including congenital heart defects, digestive disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions and injuries that require specialized pediatric expertise.

This year’s U.S. News recognition adds to Ochsner Children’s growing national profile. In Newsweek’s latest America’s Best Children’s Hospitals rankings, four Ochsner Children’s programs were named among the nation’s top 50:

⭐ Cardiology and heart surgery
⭐ Neonatology
⭐ Endocrinology
⭐ Pulmonary medicine

These recognitions highlight the continued advancement of pediatric healthcare in Louisiana. Families now have greater access to nationally recognized expertise across a growing number of specialties. That means more children can receive highly specialized care close to home, giving families more options and reducing the need to travel long distances for treatment.

“As we celebrate this recognition, our focus remains on the children and families we serve,” said Vincent “Butch” Adolph, MD, chief medical officer of Ochsner Children’s. “These rankings reflect the amazing work being done every day to ensure that children across Louisiana have access to exceptional care when they need it most.”

Thank you to our exceptional teams across all specialties for providing the highest quality care for our patients.

World renowned. Kid worthy. 💙⭐

Learn more about Ochsner Children's rankings here: https://ow.ly/zTPl50ZNRjZ.

Learn more about pediatrics at Ochsner Children's here: https://ow.ly/bAVF50ZNRk0.