As Louisiana’s preeminent academic medical center, LSU Health New Orleans leads the state in medical education, research innovation, and patient care. That leadership is evident in the exceptional physicians practicing across its network of hospitals and clinics, where women are advancing their specialties and training the next generation of healthcare providers.
Dr. Kelly Babineaux has built a formidable hand surgery service at University Medical Center, combining complex surgical expertise with dedicated teaching. Dr. Amelia Jernigan is pushing boundaries in Gynecologic Oncology through innovative surgical techniques and chemotherapy protocols. At the LSU Eye Center, Dr. Maria Bernal and Dr. Christine Connolly are preserving and restoring sight, treating everything from complex corneal disease to pediatric vision disorders.
“In 2025, women comprised 75% of LSU Health New Orleans’ graduating class. We are setting a foundation for equitable and all-encompassing care for women, and for all Louisianans,” said Dr. Richard DiCarlo, Dean of the LSU School of Medicine. “We are extremely proud of the standard of excellence upheld by our healthcare professionals.”
That standard spans every specialty. Dr. Nicole Freehill brings expertise in complex contraception and obstetric ultrasound to women’s health. Dr. Elizabeth Rourke’s mastery of robotic surgery is transforming urologic care for both men and women. Finally, Dr. Sarah Ryan-Yockey brings expertise from New York’s Mt. Sinai to her obstetrics and gynecology practice, while Dr. La’Nasha Tanner combines clinical excellence with community mentorship.
For patients across Louisiana and the Gulf South, LSU Health New Orleans offers access to physicians who do more than treat conditions – they advance the field of medicine. These women represent the institution’s mission: delivering world-class care while pioneering treatments that will benefit families in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast for generations to come.
LSU Health New Orleans
433 Bolivar St, New Orleans | 504-568-4808 | lsuhsc.edu
