Ochsner Children's

09/10/2026

When Analise F. was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 4 months old, her family didn't know where to turn.

Nearly five years ago, pediatric gastroenterologist Rachel Bernard, DO, stepped in and brought answers to years of unresolved gastrointestinal complications, changing the course of Analise's care. Dr. Bernard took Analise's concerns seriously, brought her expertise to every visit and built a foundation of trust that has only grown stronger over time.

To learn more about our pediatric gastroenterology services, visit https://ow.ly/zYP750ZLH8x.

09/10/2026

Join Ochsner Children's on Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. for "Growing Up Boys," an educational class for boys ages 9-12 to learn about puberty, anatomy and hygiene.

This class is free and hosted by an Ochsner Children's pediatrician.

Where: Ochsner Children's Health Center (1315 Jefferson Hwy., New Orleans, Louisiana)
When: Sept. 22, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m.

A parent or guardian is required to attend with their child. Registration is required, and spaces are limited.

⭐ Register by calling 504-842-3900 or online here: https://ow.ly/smHv50ZM4mB

See you there!

09/10/2026

For Erin D., becoming a living liver donor wasn’t just an act of generosity; it was a calling she felt deep in her bones.

A year ago, she donated a portion of her liver to a pediatric patient at the Ochsner Transplant Institute, joining the community of people who make up the 10,000 transplants performed at Ochsner. But Erin never felt like she was simply part of a number.

“I feel blessed to be one of the 10,000 miracles at Ochsner,” she said. “I never felt like just a number. The transplant team recognizes me when I visit, and the nurses remember my name and my story.”

Her journey began on April 2, 2025, Living Donor Day, when she learned she was approved to donate to a pediatric patient. After surgery, she woke up in the ICU with one question: How is my recipient? The answer brought happy tears.

Three months later, Erin met Ember, the little girl who received her liver, a moment that will stand out in her memory forever. Watching the documentary about their story showed her just how much Ember and her family had overcome.

Throughout her experience, Erin found comfort in the people who cared for her. She laughs when she talks about Dr. John Seal, the transplant surgeon who patiently answered every question she brought his way. She says he and Micah, a transplant coordinator, “are probably saints” for guiding her through every step with compassion and humor.

Erin has been a living donor twice, first a kidney and then part of her liver. To Erin, living organ donation gave life a new meaning. She insists the praise belongs to the transplant teams, not her.

“The donor often receives a lot of praise for being ‘a hero,’ but I disagree with that label,” she said. “The heroes are the doctors and medical staff who facilitate organ donation and transplant, and that is who we are celebrating at Ochsner.”

She jokes that she’d make the number 10,001 if she had another organ to give, and she’s already registered as a bone marrow donor.

Today, Erin is part of the 1 in 10,000, a community of donors, recipients, families and care teams who make milestones like this possible.

To learn more about organ donation and transplantation at Ochsner, visit https://ow.ly/1YNu50ZyxW2.

09/08/2026

How does Ochsner Children's ensure their care is truly kid worthy? ⭐

Introducing the Kids' Council, an advisory group of real patients at Ochsner Children's ensuring the highest standard of kid worthiness.

✅ Council members review hospital and clinic practices from a patient's point of view.
✅ They offer honest feedback on what makes care more welcoming, comfortable, and supportive.
✅ When their ideas lead to action, the decision becomes an official Kids' Decree, giving members a visible role in driving change.

The experts at being kids are kids. 😊💙

⭐ Learn more about Ochsner Children's Kids' Council here: https://ow.ly/uPEl50ZL2Z4.

09/08/2026

Ochsner Children's is proud to support These Bikes Change Lives, an exciting Oct. 18 bike ride that provides adaptive bikes to children with special needs – including our very own Ochsner Children's patients.

After the ride, everyone is invited join a no cost celebration at the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development, where four Ochsner Children’s patients will receive adaptive bikes from the McLindon Family Foundation. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a day of cycling while supporting an inspiring cause and making a meaningful impact.

Register to ride here: https://p2p.onecause.com/thesebikeschangelives2026

🚴‍♂️ The Story Behind the Ride

The These Bikes Change Lives Ride has become a transformative event and a cornerstone fundraiser for the McLindon Family Foundation. Launched in the uncertain climate of 2020, this inspiring ride originally spanned 111 miles from Baton Rouge to New Orleans along the Mississippi River.

Today, it starts and finishes in New Orleans, thanks to a meaningful partnership with the Michael R. Boh Center - where many adaptive bike recipients receive therapy and support. The ride’s finish line is a powerful scene: previous recipients lead the way, welcoming riders as they cross, and reminding everyone of the life-changing impact these bikes bring.

Driven by dedicated cyclists, individual fundraisers, and community sponsors, the These Bikes Change Lives Ride directly fuels the Foundation’s mission - providing adaptive bikes that empower children and adults with disabilities to experience freedom, inclusion, and joy.

💙 These Bikes Change Lives 💙
When: October 18, 2026, from 7am - 12pm
Where: Michael R. Boh Center - 1319 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson, LA 70121
Choose your ride: 10-mile, 35-mile, 70-mile

💚 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors that are making this Non-Profit Fundraising Event possible💚
Ochsner Children's
Pediatric Therapy Solutions
Chick-fil-A Veterans Memorial Blvd FSU

✨ If you are interested in getting involved, please email [email protected] for more information.✨

09/03/2026

The experts on being kids are kids. ⭐💙

Ochsner Children’s is proud to introduce the Kids' Council, a first-of-its-kind advisory council made up of pediatric patients aged 5 to 18. Kids’ Council members will review hospital and clinic practices, share feedback about their experiences and offer ideas for making care more welcoming, comfortable and supportive for children and families from across the Gulf South.

This is patient-centered care designed not just for kids, but with them!

Here's what makes it different:

⭐ Council members review hospital and clinic practices from a patient's point of view.
💙 They offer honest feedback on what makes care more welcoming, comfortable, and supportive.
😊 When their ideas lead to action, the decision becomes an official Kids' Decree, giving members a visible role in driving change.

At their first meeting on Aug. 19, 2026, members met Ochsner Children's leaders, discussed future initiatives and approved their first project.

"The experts on being kids are kids," said Beth Walker, CEO of Ochsner Children's. "Their ideas, creativity and honesty will help us make meaningful decisions that reflect what matters most to the children and families we serve."

This is patient- and family-centered care in its truest form. When we design the patient journey with kids, not just for them, we build a better experience for every child and family across the Gulf South.

"We want every child to know that their voice matters here," said Walker. "The Kids' Council is helping us see our hospital and clinics through the eyes of our patients, and that perspective is invaluable as we continue to enhance the care and experience we provide."

Big ideas can come from even the youngest voices. And here at Ochsner Children's, we’re listening. 💙

"I like that I can make a difference that I would not normally be able to make if I wasn't on the Kids' Council." Isla J., a member of the Ochsner Children’s Kids’ Council.

Hospital leaders say the council reflects Ochsner Children's ongoing commitment to patient- and family-centered care by giving young patients a meaningful role in shaping the future of pediatric healthcare.

Read more here: https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/kids-help-shape-care-at-ochsner-childrens/

Learn more about how Ochsner Children's is advancing pediatric care: https://ow.ly/z35o50ZHqHx.

Ochsner Children's has launched its first Kids' Council, empowering pediatric patients ages 5-18 to help shape hospital and clinic experiences through feedback, ideas and official Kids' Decrees.

09/03/2026

The pediatric congenital heart program team at Ochsner Children's had an incredible weekend supporting two amazing organizations: The Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation's "Rhythm & Beats" and the Henry Aucoin Foundation's "Bowling for Hearts."

Ochsner Children's is honored to help raise funds for patients and families we serve and care for.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported these meaningful events! 💙

Learn more about the pediatric congenital heart program at Ochsner Children's here: https://ow.ly/B3JI50ZIjHx.

09/01/2026

Ochsner Children's is thrilled to welcome our three doctoral interns who matched with the Ochsner Psychology Doctoral Internship Child Track for the 2026-2027 training year! 🎉

Since joining Ochsner in July, these future pediatric psychologists have begun their final year of training as they work toward earning their doctorates in clinical psychology.

Throughout the year, they will gain specialized experience across pediatric health psychology and integrated pediatric primary care at the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Please join us in welcoming Michelle Ruvalcaba, MS (Palo Alto University), Avleen Walia, MA (University of Toledo) and Sarah Wilson, MA (University of Mississippi) to Ochsner Children's! 💙

Learn more about Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at Ochsner Children's: https://ow.ly/buKi50ZHtU4.

08/27/2026

What's the best part of working in pediatrics?

For some nurses, it's the opportunity to care for children during some of life's most important moments. For others, it's knowing they're surrounded by teammates who are always willing to step in, lend a hand and support one another.

Hear why joining Ochsner Children's has been such a rewarding experience for Paige and what makes the culture so special.

Thinking about a transition into pediatrics? Discover how our RN Pathway Program can help you build on the experience you already have!
careers.ochsner.org/NursingCareerPathways

08/27/2026

The Ochsner Transplant Institute's 10,000 transplant milestone reflects thousands of lifesaving journeys, including Blake B.'s.

"Being part of the 1 in 10,000 milestone is a testament to the work done both by myself and my care team throughout my life," he said. "It also reflects how many people have been saved by organ donation at Ochsner."

Blake received his heart transplant at just 2 weeks old. Now 24, he has lived his entire life with the routines that keep him healthy: daily medications, exercise and a commitment to caring for the heart that saved him. Because of his transplant, he grew up playing sports, building friendships and, this past year, starting medical school.

His experience as a transplant patient shaped his future in a way nothing else could. Blake is pursuing medicine with the hope of becoming a pediatric cardiologist, inspired by the care he received at Ochsner and the children he hopes to help one day. He says he will keep an open mind as he moves through medical school rotations, but his heart is already in the field that gave him a second chance.

One person stands out in his journey: Dr. Thomas Young, the pediatric cardiologist who cared for him for as long as he can remember. Blake recalls feeling safe every time he walked into the office, talking about hobbies, favorite teams and life beyond medicine. Dr. Young even let him shadow, giving Blake a glimpse into the career he now hopes to build. Blake calls him "a phenomenal doctor" and hopes to practice with the same compassion and connection.

Today, Blake encourages everyone to consider organ donation. His story is one of many that show what becomes possible when generosity meets exceptional care.

"One organ donor can save eight lives," he said. "And can create a lifetime of memories and experiences for a person and their family."

Learn more about organ donation and transplants at Ochsner: https://ow.ly/Yixa50ZyxTY