Chief Executive Officer, The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital

New Orleans, LA - USA

New Orleans, LA – Ochsner Health is seeking an innovative and transformational Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the development of Ochsner’s new children’s hospital, along with implementing a region-wide strategic plan for their pediatric program. The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital (Ochsner Children’s Hospital) will be a state-of-the-art facility exclusively dedicated to children. It will offer the most advanced technology equipment, cutting edge diagnostics and treatment available in one location, and digital connectivity that keeps parents connected and empowered. The new children’s hospital will connect to the system’s flagship hospital located at 1514 Jefferson Highway, Ochsner Medical Center. This will truly be a destination children’s facility with an immersive, pediatric-specific patient experience. Ochsner plans on breaking ground in January 2025 with completion of the new hospital mid to end of 2027.

Ochsner Health has more than 37,000 employees and operates 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. Revenue for the system is over $5 billion.

Ochsner Health has the top pediatric quality and safety outcomes in the state of Louisiana and the region, along with a very strong Pediatric Group Practice, but not the facilities to further advance the program and patient experience. The new Ochsner Children’s Hospital will give the system’s world class pediatric program a world class hospital to best serve children and their families. Ochsner Health believes pediatrics is vital to the health of the communities it serves, and they cannot improve the health of the state of Louisiana without also improving the health of Louisiana’s children.

The Ochsner Health Board of Directors has approved the building of this new hospital, and it is estimated the new children’s hospital will be a $200+ million investment. It will have a Level II Trauma designation with a new, street-visible, dedicated pediatric emergency room along with 85 state-of-the-art inpatient acuity adaptable beds. It will also have eight dedicated pediatric surgery suites, pediatric imaging and lab services, dedicated pediatric procedure and recovery space, Cath Lab and Endoscopy, as well as parent work and respite lounges, Family Resource Center and sibling daycare. The current net revenue attributed to pediatrics throughout Ochsner Health is $300M.

The Ochsner Children’s Hospital CEO will be responsible for the overall operational management, strategic planning, and financial leadership of the pediatric enterprise. The new CEO will also be responsible for developing and driving an integrated pediatric strategy across the entire health system, which they will do in partnership with their physician dyad partner, the Chief Medical Officer for Ochsner Children’s, Dr. Butch Adolph. Ochsner Children’s will be the consistent brand that is driven across the system in each of the markets and communities served by Ochsner Health.

The Ochsner Children’s Hospital CEO will have a mission-oriented approach to leadership, be a strong voice for children within the institution, across the state, and throughout the region, and be committed to a patient and family approach to the highest quality of care. The CEO will also have a strong collaborative approach, think systematically and holistically to generate innovative and creative solutions that benefit Ochsner Children’s Hospital and the entire system. They must have a passion for the mission of pediatric healthcare and the ability to champion Ochsner Children’s Hospital in providing accessible, high-quality patient-and family-centered care, and an unsurpassed patient experience. Strong operations experience and financial acumen is desired. Experience in a children’s hospital is strongly preferred. Ochsner Health seeks individuals with a strong emotional and social intelligence, with a demonstrated ability to connect at all levels with both internal and external stakeholders.

To find out more, please contact with WittKieffer consultants, Jim King, or Megan Welch, preferably via email at mwelch@wittkieffer.com or at 765-977-1031.

Ochsner Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status or any other status protected by law.