HJBR Mar/Apr 2026

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  MAR / APR 2026 47 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com outcomes within the top 10% of programs nation- ally. Historically known as the three-star rating, this distinction signifies that the program’s outcomes are statistically shown to be “exceptional.” The data also show that Ochsner significantly exceeds national norms, especially in the most complex surgery categories. Manning Family Children’s Achieves Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center Verification by the ACS Manning Family Children’s received notification by the American College of Surgeons following a virtual site visit in December that the organiza- tion has been verified as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Level I Trauma Centers ensure immediate access to pediatric trauma surgeons, specialized equip- ment, and intensive care units, often functioning as regional leaders in research and education. As a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, Manning Family Children’s provides 24/7 in-house pediatric trauma expertise with immediate access to all required pediatric surgical subspecialties; maintains a dedicated Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU); serves as the primary referral center for the most complex pediatric trauma cases statewide and throughout the region; leads trauma education, training, and outreach for healthcare profession- als and communities across the state and region; actively participates in trauma research and per- formance improvement; and plays a critical role in injury prevention and system-wide pediatric trauma readiness. n fellowship in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He serves on the faculty at both LSU Health Sciences Center and Tulane University School of Medicine. Yu has served as associate program director for LSU’s Surgery Residency program and program director for Tulane’s Surgery Residency program. Yu has also held medical staff leadership roles, including chief of surgery, vice president, presi- dent, and past president of the medical staff for Manning Family Children’s. At Manning Family Children’s, he spearheaded the development of major multidisciplinary pro- grams including the hospital’s trauma, burn, and wound care programs, and worked closely with leaders across LCMC Health and the broader community to advance the Manning Family Chil- dren’s Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Performs Single- Port Transabdominal Colorectal Surgery A colorectal surgeon at FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake has performed Louisiana’s first and second single-port transabdominal colorectal surgeries on the same day. Only a limited num- ber of hospitals nationwide currently offer single- port colorectal surgery. The procedures were com- pleted by Asif Talukder, MD, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. The single-port approach is an advanced robotic technique in which surgeons operate through one small incision less than two inches in length, typi- cally at or near the navel, using the da Vinci Single- Port robotic system, which allows multiple instru- ments to be controlled through this small incision. This approach reduces trauma to surrounding tis- sue, minimizes pain, and supports shorter recov- ery times compared to traditional multi-incision surgery. Currently, the single-port platform is approved for colorectal, urology, and select ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures, with anticipated expan- sion to additional surgical applications. Affiliation Between Ochsner Health and Allegiance Health SystemAnnounced Allegiance Health System (AHS) and its network of hospital facilities signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) toenter intoan affiliation with Ochsner Health (Ochsner) to enhance patient care coordination and clinical innovation throughout rural Louisiana. This affiliation is not a merger or acquisition. AHS and Ochsner will remain independent and main- tain their current ownership, operations, financial, and management responsibilities. The collabo- ration represents a mutual focus on solving the healthcare challenges facing rural communities, enhancing access to care and improving health outcomes and the quality of life for patients the organizations serve. Ochsner Children’s Heart Program Surgical Results Recognized Ochsner Children’s congenital heart program has once again achieved surgical results that rank among the best nationally, according to the most recent data analysis from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). This distinction, based on analysis of results over a four-year period, places Ochsner’s David C. Yu, MD Asif Talukder, MD, and team at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center performed Louisiana’s first and second single-port transabdominal colorectal surgeries on the same day.