Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through our mission to serve, heal, lead, educate and innovate.
Ochsner Children’s expands pediatric heart program
Addition of specialized physicians across surgery, cardiology and intensive care underscores investment in comprehensive heart care
NEW ORLEANS – Ochsner Children’s is entering a new phase of growth in its pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program, marked by the addition of specialized physicians across cardiac surgery, cardiology and intensive care, along with continued national recognition for exceptional patient outcomes.
This expansion reflects Ochsner Children’s commitment to building one of the Gulf South’s most comprehensive pediatric heart centers while increasing access to lifesaving, highly specialized care for children and families across the region.
Expanded expertise to serve more patients
As part of this growth, the program is expanding its surgical team with the hiring of Dilip Nath, MD, who is slated to begin in July and joins from Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where he currently serves as director of pediatric heart and lung transplantation, and Thaniyyah Ahmad, MD, who will join the team in September from Stanford University’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, increasing Ochsner Children’s ability to care for patients with complex congenital and acquired heart conditions.
Ochsner Children’s is also enhancing its pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) with the addition of Mark Clay, MD, who will serve as medical director beginning in July and will also support the Ochsner Xavier College of Medicine (XOCOM) through various institutional initiatives, and Asha Nair, MD, enhancing care for patients requiring advanced postoperative support.
In pediatric cardiology, the program has added significant subspecialty expertise and regional reach with the addition of Mary Mehta, MD; Adeola Awujoola, MD; Jesus Jaile, MD;Ketaki Mukhopadhyay, MD; and Theresa Roca, MD. These physicians expand capabilities across areas such as interventional cardiology, fetal cardiology and community-based care, while strengthening access for families in key regions including Baton Rouge, Monroe, Lafayette and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Together, these additions reflect the continued growth of Ochsner Children’s comprehensive, multidisciplinary heart center, bringing together a deep and highly coordinated team that supports patients across every stage of care, from diagnosis through surgery and recovery.
Today, the program includes:
20+ pediatric heart physicians across surgery, cardiology, critical care and anesthesia
38 specialized nurses trained in pediatric cardiac care
13 advanced practice providers stretching from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and North Louisiana
This breadth of expertise ensures a seamless, team-based approach that delivers high-quality, patient-centered care for even the most complex heart conditions.
“This is a pivotal moment of growth for our pediatric heart program,” said Vincent “Butch” Adolph, MD, chief medical officer for Ochsner Children’s. “We are expanding not only our team, but the breadth of services and access we can provide, ensuring more children across our region can receive world-class heart care close to home.”
This clinical expansion builds on a strong foundation of nationally recognized excellence. According to data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), Ochsner Children’s pediatric heart surgery program ranks among the top programs in the country, one of the most rigorous benchmarks for surgical quality and patient outcomes. Ochsner’s survival rates are among the highest in the nation compared to STS national averages, particularly for the most complex and high-risk heart surgeries, including the Stage 1 Norwood procedure for newborns. At the same time, the program’s mortality rates are among the lowest in the country, underscoring consistently strong outcomes, even in the most challenging cases.
“For families facing the uncertainty of pediatric heart surgery, outcomes matter,” said Benjamin Peeler, MD, chief of pediatric cardiac surgery and co-director of the Congenital Heart Center for Ochsner Children’s. “Our team’s performance reflects a deep commitment to delivering the safest, highest-quality care possible. As we grow, we remain focused on maintaining and advancing these exceptional outcomes.”
Building the future of pediatric healthcare
This period of expansion comes as Ochsner Health continues construction on The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital, a new five-story, 343,000-square-foot facility designed to elevate pediatric care through advanced technology and a family-centered environment. Located on the campus of Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, the new hospital, opening in early 2028, will further support the growth of specialized programs like pediatric heart care and enhance the experience for patients and families.
“The investments we are making today, both in people and facilities, reflect our long-term vision for pediatric care,” said Beth Walker, chief executive officer for Ochsner Children’s. “We are building a program that not only meets the needs of children today but is positioned to serve future generations with innovation and excellence.”
As Ochsner Children’s continues to expand its pediatric heart program, these efforts underscore a broader commitment to improving access, advancing outcomes and ensuring that children throughout the Gulf South can receive world-class care close to home.
Learn more about pediatric cardiology and heart surgery at Ochsner Children’s by visiting Pediatric Cardiology | Ochsner Health.
Media contact: pr@ochsner.org
###
About Ochsner Children’s
Ochsner Children’s is part of Ochsner Health, the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in Louisiana, Mississippi and across the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 47 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. Ochsner Children’s has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for five consecutive years. For the ninth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Ochsner Children's Hospital among the Top 50 Children’s Hospitals in the country. In 2025, Ochsner Children's Hospital ranked in cardiology and heart surgery and gastroenterology and GI surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, Ochsner Children’s Hospital is honored to be recognized by Newsweek as America’s Best Children’s Hospitals ranking in pulmonology and neonatology.