Ochsner Children's

01/26/2026

Our commitment to providing the best possible care for our patients has led to a significant achievement. We are proud to announce that the Ochsner Children’s congenital heart program has again been recognized for surgical results that rank among the top 10% in the nation.

“This is a monumental milestone for our team and for the state of Louisiana,” says Benjamin Peeler, MD, chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and co-director of the Congenital Heart Center for Ochsner Children's. “It confirms that when children undergo heart surgery at Ochsner Children’s, their outcomes consistently rank among the best in the nation. This accomplishment demonstrates the dedication of every single person who cares for our congenital heart patients.”

This distinction comes from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), leaders for quality in heart surgery. The data, which covers a four-year period, confirms that our results are exceptional, especially in the most complex cases.

“Achieving this elite designation from the STS underscores our team’s steadfast dedication to providing the best possible outcomes for our patients and upholding the highest standards of excellence,” says Vincent "Butch" Adolph, MD, chief medical officer at Ochsner Children's.

This accomplishment reflects the dedication of our entire team. They provide expert, compassionate care every day, ensuring children with congenital heart conditions receive innovative treatments and personalized care plans. When kids need heart surgery, they receive world-class care, right here at home.

Learn more about congenital heart care at Ochsner Children's by visiting https://ow.ly/Vhtr50Y1Uvm.

01/22/2026

⭐ Infant CPR class schedule ⭐

Ochsner Children's is proud to offer infant CPR classes at Ochsner Children's Health Center - New Orleans (1315 Jefferson Hwy).

Learn essential lifesaving skills to respond to choking and cardiac emergencies in infants. This hands-on class covers CPR techniques and safety practices to help caregivers act confidently in critical situations.

💙 January classes:

Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m.

💙 February classes:

Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m.

Please register here: https://ow.ly/oLk750Y0WtJ

We'll see you there!

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01/22/2026

Are Mardi Gras beads and other parade throws safe for kids?

Norman Vince Hill, MD, shares tips for parents to keep their children safe and healthy during the Mardi Gras season.

Plus, what throws to keep away from kids to prevent choking hazards.

Get the facts on parade throws, like beads and stuffed animals, and if they're safe for your children. Plus, which items to look out for and signs that something is wrong with your child.

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

01/14/2026

Ochsner Children’s is proud to honor excellence in patient care 🌟

At Ochsner Children’s, we are privileged to work alongside providers whose compassion, creativity and dedication leave a lasting impact on our patients and their families. Today, we recognize three extraordinary team members with the Patient Experience Pin for their exceptional commitment to adapting and personalizing care for children who experience the world differently than a typical child and may require special care.

We are deeply committed to working with families together, as we learn how to make the healthcare environment safer, more supportive and more welcoming for every child we care for, including those with developmental disabilities, like autism spectrum disorders. These honorees embody that commitment through their thoughtful, patient centered approach and their willingness to adapt care to meet each child’s unique needs.

🏅 Katie Hopkins

Katie Hopkins is a speech therapist at Ochsner Therapy and Wellness for Children - Destrehan Clinic, and her care extends far beyond the clinic walls.

Recently, she helped a young patient with autism achieve a dream: visiting the Apache Industrial Services, a place that fascinated him during his visits to the clinic. Through weeks of therapy and collaboration with Apache’s team, Katie created a joyful, community-based experience that included meeting staff, receiving branded gifts and building meaningful connections. Her thoughtful approach not only supported his therapeutic goals but also gave him and his family a moment they’ll never forget.

🏅 Myra Addy and Margaret McCabe

Myra Addy and Margaret McCabe are adult infusion nurses at Ochsner Outpatient and Home Infusion Pharmacy, and they worked together to turn a challenging pediatric infusion into a compassionate, family-centered success.

Myra and Margaret worked tirelessly to create a calming, sensory-friendly environment for a young patient, using toys, favorite characters and creative distractions to make the experience less stressful. Their teamwork empowered the child’s mother to learn the infusion process for home care, ensuring the family felt supported every step of the way.

Their dedication didn’t stop there. For the patient’s second infusion, they adapted quickly, securing a private space and recreating a comforting environment with a basketball goal and engaging activities. Thanks to their efforts, the child received his full treatment without distress, preserving his dignity and building trust.

Katie, Myra, and Margaret embody the core values of compassion, empathy and excellence. Their creativity, teamwork and patient-first mindset remind us of the profound difference healthcare providers can make in the lives of those they serve.

“As the parent of a child who is nonverbal and delayed, watching this care unfold moved me to tears,” Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Roy said. “Their dedication to helping this family succeed—when others might have given up—demonstrates exactly why they are so deserving of this recognition.”

Please join us in celebrating Katie, Myra and Margaret for their incredible contributions to our Ochsner Children’s patients and the families we serve. You inspire us every day! 💙

Learn more about care at Ochsner Children’s here: https://ow.ly/tw0i50XWRln.

01/12/2026

When 3-year-old Ember T. developed life-threatening complications from biliary atresia, a rare liver disease, her care team at Ochsner Children’s knew a liver transplant was her only chance to survive. With time running out, Erin D. stepped forward as a living donor, offering more than an organ but a future. The successful transplant gave Ember a second chance at life and created a powerful, lifelong connection between two families brought together by generosity and hope.

For children like Ember, living organ donation is often a lifeline. Non-directed donors like Erin play an important role in giving pediatric patients the chance to grow, thrive and dream beyond their diagnosis. Ember’s story is a reminder that one selfless decision can change and save a life.

Watch Ember and Erin's full story here: https://ow.ly/sRgA50XU346.

Learn how you can become an altruistic living liver donor and give the gift of life at https://ow.ly/ToAp50XU347.

01/09/2026

Turns out, camp isn’t just for summer after all! ☀️ Meet Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake, a free camp that provides hope, joy and community through unique experiences for children with life-threatening illness and their families.

Ochsner Children's patients and their families who meet Camp Sunshine criteria are invited to apply for their session on February 16-20 in Casco, Maine!

Patients with the following conditions are eligible to apply for this session:

• Hematology/oncology disorders
• Sickle cell
• Type 1 diabetes
• Solid organ transplant
• Schwachman Diamond Syndrome
• Bladder exstrophy
• Hearing loss due to illness or treatment of illness
• Cerebral palsy (or hemiplegia/hemiparesis and diplegia/diparesis)

There are plenty of fun activities for kids, like ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding, plus many opportunities to meet new friends. 😊 For parents, get ready to mix and mingle with families sharing similar medical experiences and attend discussion groups and even a dinner.

Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2026. Camp Sunshine is free to all families and travel reimbursement is available.

⭐ For more information, contact Camp Sunshine's family engagement manager, Karla Moore, at kmoore@campsunshine.org or 207-655-1817.

💙 If you have a child with a critical illness, please reach out to Ochsner to ask about Camp Sunshine or apply directly online at https://ow.ly/ASr750XTLtg.

01/07/2026

Join Ochsner Children's on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. at Ochsner Children's Health Center - New Orleans (1315 Jefferson Highway) for "Growing Up Boys."

"Growing Up Boys" is a parent education workshop for parents and their children ages 9-16 on health, what to expect during adolescence and how to prepare for puberty.

Spaces are limited. Sign-up at the link below!

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

01/03/2026

What better way to ring in the new year than by celebrating the arrival of a new baby? 😊✨

Please join us in welcoming these sweet babies born on Jan. 1, 2026, at Ochsner Baptist in New Orleans, Louisiana!

Congratulations to the families on your newest additions! Happy New Year! 💙

12/28/2025

Ready, set, crawl! 🏁

The Smoothie King Center was alive with excitement as the tiniest athletes took on the New Orleans Baby Crawl Race during the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns game, sponsored by Ochsner Children's Hospital!

The South’s top crawlers lined up, all aiming for the grand prize pack of toys and play sets.

And the crown goes to baby "Poboy Powerhouse," in an exciting nail-biter race to the finish line!🥇 Huge applause for our speedy crawling champion!

| Ochsner Health

12/24/2025

Ochsner Children's is grateful for Demario Davis and his family who delivered gifts to our patients in the pediatric hematology/oncology unit. 💙

Thank you so much for your generosity and time with our patients! Happy holidays! 😊💙