Ochsner Children's

03/06/2026

Meet Madeline Shannon, MD, a pediatrician at Ochsner Children’s Health Center - River Chase and Ochsner Health Center For Children - Covington! 🩺

Dr. Shannon’s journey to becoming a pediatrician is special to us. Growing up, she was a patient at the Ochsner pediatrics clinic in Mandeville. The outstanding care her pediatrician provided left a lasting impact on her family, inspiring her to give that same level of dedication to the next generation.

She loves the curiosity, honesty and boundless energy that kids bring to the clinic every day.

When it comes to patient care, Dr. Shannon focuses on empathy and communication. She meets children at their level so they feel safe and heard, while actively listening to parents and treating you as a true partner in your child’s health.

When she isn't caring for patients, Dr. Shannon loves traveling, spending time with family and friends, and heading to Baton Rouge to cheer on the LSU Tigers during football season! 🏈

Her top advice for first-time parents: "It truly takes a village! Lean on family, friends and your community for support. Parenting is both beautiful and challenging, and having trusted people around you makes the journey healthier for both you and your child."

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Shannon to Ochsner Children's! 😊💙⭐

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Shannon here: https://ow.ly/OIsU50Yqb9J

03/06/2026

Ear, nose and throat challenges are some of the most common issues children face. Ochsner Children's pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists are here to guide parents through keeping their kids healthy year-round and especially during allergy season.

John Carter, MD, a pediatric ENT at Ochsner Children's, shares some tips for keeping kids healthy. Plus, some common ENT-related conditions kids face, like ear infections, allergies, snoring, tonsilitis and more.

📽️ Watch Dr. Carter's full segment here: https://ow.ly/Pm5f50YqlTX.

🩺 Learn more about Dr. Carter here: https://ow.ly/PFBP50YqlTY.

⭐ Need a pediatric ENT? Schedule an appointment at Ochsner Children's: https://ow.ly/8imR50YqlTW.

02/27/2026

Please join us in welcoming Victoria G. Page, MD, to Ochsner Health! 🎉

Dr. Page specializes in otolaryngology (ENT - ear, nose and throat) at Ochsner Cancer Center - Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for adults and children. She provides expert care for voice, airway and swallowing disorders, as well as comprehensive ear, nose and throat care, including rhinology and pediatric otolaryngology.

Dr. Page earned her Doctor of Medicine from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. She completed her residency in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, followed by a fellowship in laryngology at the Cleveland Clinic, where she gained advanced expertise in the management of complex voice and airway conditions.

Board-certified in otolaryngology, Dr. Page is proficient in a wide range of in-office laryngology procedures, including vocal fold augmentation, laryngeal Botox injections and laser ablation. She also performs advanced surgical interventions such as laryngeal micro flaps and laryngoplasty.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Page enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Welcome to Ochsner, Dr. Page! 💙

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Page here: https://ow.ly/M3FR50YfoN0.

02/26/2026

Ochsner Children's is proud to be featured in Faces & Places of Nola Family Magazine's Winter 2026 issue. 💙 Meet the faces of pediatric gastroenterology (GI) care in New Orleans, Louisiana! ⭐

Pictured are Ilana Fortgang, MD; Darnna Banks, MD; Jasmeet Mokha, MD; Ryan Himes, MD and Matthew Giefer, MD. 🩺

At Ochsner Children's, families receive nationally recognized pediatric gastroenterology care rooted in compassion and excellence.

🎖️Ranked the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, Ochsner Children’s is also nationally recognized for pediatric GI care and surgery.

From complex digestive and liver conditions to advanced endoscopy and multidisciplinary programs, our expert team is committed to treating the whole child — not just the diagnosis.

🔗 Read the full feature:
https://ow.ly/ba8X50Ym9PW.

💙 Learn more about pediatric GI care at Ochsner Children's: https://ow.ly/xwOv50Ym9PT.

02/26/2026

When Kailee B. found out she was pregnant, she was over the moon. She then discovered she was pregnant with monochorionic/diamniotic (mono/di) twins, which are identical twins who develop in the same placenta but in separate amniotic sacs. This is a result of a single fertilized egg splitting about a week after conception.

At 34 weeks, Kailee gave birth to her twin girls Braylee and Bexlee B. While both premature and in need of specific care in the NICU, it was clear that Braylee would need extra care, as she was born lifeless and with a blue tint.

After immediate and intense care in the NICU, Braylee was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), which is a life-threatening congenital heart defect where the aorta and the pulmonary artery are switched, causing a lack of properly oxygenated blood to circulate through the body.

The only chance at survival for Braylee was surgery, and the surgeon she needed was Benjamin Peeler, MD, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at Ochsner Children’s in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Braylee was transported to Ochsner Children’s in New Orleans from Baton Rouge by a medical helicopter, where she had to be resuscitated several times during flight.

At just two weeks old, Dr. Peeler performed an arterial switch procedure on Braylee, which is a surgery that repairs the transposition of the aorta and pulmonary artery. Dr. Peeler placed Braylee’s aorta and pulmonary artery in the correct places, which ultimately saved her life. She spent two weeks in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) recovering under Dr. Peeler's care.

“Dr. Peeler’s calming nature truly made me feel at ease,” Kailee said. “Everyone at Ochsner Children’s was a godsend to us. We could not have gotten through those times without each person we encountered.”

Two weeks after her surgery, Braylee was able to go home. She is now 10 months old and thriving alongside her twin sister Bexlee. 😊💙

🎖️ Ochsner Children’s is proud to be the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana and to be nationally ranked in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

⭐ Learn more about pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at Ochsner Children’s here: https://ow.ly/Zcly50Ym96n.

02/25/2026

Meet Hunter Starring, MD, a dedicated pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Ochsner Children's who is passionate about helping children thrive. 🩺

Dr. Starring shares his journey into pediatric orthopedics, driven by a love for working with kids and the opportunity to make a lifelong impact on their health and mobility.

⭐ Learn more about Dr. Starring: https://ow.ly/ZVXO50YliLq

💙 Learn more about pediatric orthopedics at Ochsner Children's here: https://ow.ly/KgVG50YliLr.

02/24/2026

The term "murmur" often sparks concern in parents, but it's often misunderstood. Almost all children will have a murmur at some point in their life.

❤️ What is a murmur? To put it simply, a murmur is a sound coming from blood moving in the heart or through blood vessels connected to the heart.

David Weiland, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at Ochsner Children's, explains what heart murmurs are, what causes them and what parents should know about them.

Read more: https://ow.ly/BznT50Yl3pn.

In most cases, a pediatric cardiologist can listen to a child’s heart and determine if a murmur is an innocent murmur of childhood or deserves further workup.

02/23/2026

Launched in 2021 in New Orleans East, Ochsner Health’s STEM Pathfinder program, focused on science, technology, engineering and math, gives students entering grades 9–11 a cost-free, hands-on introduction to careers in healthcare and science. With mentorship from Ochsner clinicians and professionals, students build clinical skills, take part in lab experiments and gain real-world experience in a supportive learning environment.

What started in New Orleans East has grown to include Baton Rouge, St. Charles Parish, Shreveport, Monroe and Lafayette. We are proud to help students across Louisiana discover their passion for healthcare and imagine what’s possible.

Applications are now open for the STEM Pathfinder summer 2026 program. Learn more and apply at https://ow.ly/KVom50YkyFa.

02/23/2026

Welcome, Amy David, FNP-C, To Ochsner Health! 🎉

Amy practices otolaryngology (ENT - ear, nose and throat) and provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for both pediatric and adult patients with a wide range of ENT conditions.

Amy earned her Master of Science in nursing and Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She is board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and holds certification in otorhinolaryngology nursing (CORLN).

Prior to joining Ochsner, Amy worked extensively in ENT specialty practices, where she gained expertise in allergy testing and immunotherapy, vestibular evaluation, nasal endoscopy, laryngoscopy, post-operative care and procedural support. She has also served as a clinical research coordinator for multiple national studies on otologic and auditory therapies.

Amy has a long-standing commitment to education and professional development, including serving as a preceptor for Louisiana State University otolaryngology residents and completing specialized training through the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. She is a member of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head - Neck Nurses and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys family gatherings, traveling and collecting antique handbags.

Welcome to Ochsner, Amy! 💙

Schedule an appointment with Amy here: https://ow.ly/vYOx50Yfort.

02/20/2026

Happy Mardi Gras! 💜💚💛

Our tiniest revelers at Ochsner celebrated Mardi Gras in true festive fashion.

At Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge and Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner, our precious king cake babies were dressed for the occasion and ready to say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” 🎉

We were excited to welcome Stevie, Emmanuel and Veda in Baton Rouge, along with Turner and Liam in Kenner, all born on Mardi Gras Day. There’s no sweeter way to celebrate than with brand-new little lives joining the party.

A heartfelt thank you to our labor and delivery teams at both campuses for going the extra mile to make the day special for these families. Your commitment makes all the difference during such a meaningful moment. 💜💛💚

02/20/2026

Meet Elizabeth de Laureal, MD, a pediatric otolaryngologist specializing in ear, nose and throat (ENT) care for kids. 🩺

Dr. de Laureal believes that providing comprehensive care means more than just medical treatment; it requires making children and their families feel comfortable and supported every step of the way. And from the clinical visits to the operating room, Dr. de Laureal delivers.

"Ochsner Children's pediatric ENT department really has everything covered," Dr. de Laureal said. "We provide really comprehensive care. I know that they're always in the best hands. We have phenomenal nurses and doctors here who are going to take care of them."

💙 Learn more about Dr. de Laureal here: https://ow.ly/svL550YipAI.

⭐ Learn more about pediatric ENT at Ochsner Children's here: https://ow.ly/WrSI50YipAP.

02/19/2026

Love is still in the air at Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner. ❤️

Our tiniest Valentines made the holiday extra sweet this year. We were proud to welcome Ailanny and Skai on Feb. 14, bringing even more joy to Valentine’s Day. Their arrivals remind us that love grows in the most beautiful ways.

Thank you to our labor and delivery team at Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner for creating such special moments for these families. Your compassion and dedication help families begin their journeys with care and support. 💗