Ochsner expands specialty care in Baton Rouge with 12 new physicians and advanced practice providers

BATON ROUGE, La. – Ochsner Health has added 12 physicians and advanced practice providers across a range of specialties in the Baton Rouge area, expanding access to care for children and adults.

Adaku Adebamiji, MD, is a pediatric gastroenterologist with Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. A Baton Rouge native, Dr. Adebamiji is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology by the American Board of Pediatrics. She cares for infants, children and teens with digestive, liver-related and nutrition conditions, including constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, abdominal pain, feeding difficulties and polyposis syndromes. Dr. Adebamiji earned a medical degree from Meharry Medical College. She completed a pediatrics residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and fellowship training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington.

Adeola Awujoola, MD, is a pediatric cardiologist with Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. Dr. Awujoola is board-certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. He cares for infants, children and adolescents with congenital and acquired heart conditions and provides cardiac screening, prenatal and postnatal counseling, and evaluation of heart murmurs, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness and fainting. Dr. Awujoola earned a medical degree from Ladoke Akintola University in Nigeria. He completed a pediatrics residency at BronxCare Health System and fellowship training in pediatric cardiology at Duke University Medical Center. He also earned a Master of Public Health from East Tennessee State University. Dr. Awujoola is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.

Marwa Elsayed, MD, is a hematologist-oncologist who treats patients at Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge and Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. Dr. Elsayed is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She cares for patients with cancer and blood disorders. Dr. Elsayed earned a medical degree from Cairo University School of Medicine. She completed residencies in internal medicine at Hamad Medical Corporation and the University of Missouri-Kansas City and fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. She also completed fellowship training in geriatric medicine at Hamad Medical Corporation.

Maria A. Hendrix, NP, is a nurse practitioner specializing in pain medicine at Ochsner Health Center – O'Neal. She has experience caring for patients with serious and persistent pain, including neuropathy, chronic back pain and other pain conditions. Her care includes interventional treatments, medication management and therapies that avoid opioids. Hendrix earned a master’s degree in family nursing from Otterbein University. She is board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Valarie E. McMurtry, MD, PhD, is a pathologist with Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge. Dr. McMurtry is board-certified in pathology by the American Board of Pathology. She has experience in diagnostic pathology, cytopathology and molecular genetics pathology. Dr. McMurtry earned a medical degree from LSU Health New Orleans and completed graduate training in microbiology, immunology and parasitology through LSU Health Sciences Center. She completed a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Utah and fellowship training in cytopathology and molecular genetics pathology at the University of Utah Medical Center.

Somtochukwu Ojukwu, MD, is a hematologist-oncologist who treats patients at Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge and Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. Dr. Ojukwu is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He cares for patients with cancer and blood disorders. Dr. Ojukwu earned a medical degree from the University of Ibadan College of Medicine and Dentistry. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Howard University Hospital and fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He also completed graduate studies in public health at the University of South Florida.

Briana Santiago, DO, is a sports medicine physician who sees patients at Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove, Ochsner Health Center – Gonzales and Ochsner Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute at Elite Training Complex – Burbank. She treats injuries and conditions involving joints, tendons, ligaments, bones and nerves. She uses ultrasound to diagnose injuries and guide treatments, including joint and soft tissue injections, and offers nerve testing and platelet-rich plasma treatment. Dr. Santiago earned a medical degree from A.T. Still University in Missouri. She completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush University Medical Center and fellowship training in primary care sports medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. She is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Amber K. Spohn, PA-C, is a pediatric physician assistant with Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Spohn cares for infants, children and adolescents and has experience in preventive care, acute illness management and supporting children’s overall health and development. She earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Colorado Hospital and Health Sciences. 

Leslie H. St. Pierre, MD, is a pediatrician with Ochsner Children’s Health Center – Goodwood. She treats infants, children and adolescents, and helps families navigate the health and wellness needs of growing children. Dr. St. Pierre earned a medical degree from LSU Health New Orleans. She completed a residency in pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Arkansas Children's Hospital. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been engaged in numerous professional committees and community outreach programs supporting child health, wellness and education.

Oanh Truong, MD, is a family physician with Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. She provides primary care for patients of all ages, including preventive care, management of chronic conditions and medication-assisted treatment. Dr. Truong earned a medical degree from LSU Health New Orleans. She completed a residency in family medicine at Northwestern McGaw Family Medicine Residency at Humboldt Park in Chicago and fellowship training in family medicine faculty development at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center St. Margaret. She is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Stephanie M. Vick, MD, is a primary care physician specializing in internal medicine at Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. She provides comprehensive care for adults and has experience in preventive care, management of chronic conditions and helping patients maintain their overall health. Dr. Vick earned a medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine at LSU Health Baton Rouge. She is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Nathan Vicknair, DO, is a gastroenterologist at Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. He has experience in evaluating and helping manage many conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, pancreatic disorders and gastrointestinal problems. He also performs diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures as part of comprehensive patient care. Dr. Vicknair earned a medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Trios Health and fellowship training in gastroenterology at UCHealth Parkview.

To schedule an appointment at any Ochsner location, call 866-624-7637 or visit www.ochsner.org/info. Online appointments are available through the MyOchsner patient portal.

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About Ochsner Baton Rouge

With 650 physicians and advanced practice providers across the area, Ochsner Baton Rouge includes Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge, a full-service, award-winning 150-bed hospital, and Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove, which offers a short-stay and outpatient surgery center, primary care and specialty services like cardiology, neurology, women’s services and the Shaquille O’Neal Pediatric Super Clinic. Ochsner delivers care closer to home with more than 40 health clinics, urgent care and health-and-wellness centers in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes, including Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center – Baton Rouge and Ochsner Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute at Elite Training Complex – Burbank. Ochsner Baton Rouge has been recognized for excellence and quality of care by Becker’s Hospital Review, Healthgrades, Truven Health Analytics and Leapfrog. Ochsner Baton Rouge is a part of Ochsner Health. To learn more about Ochsner Baton Rouge, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook.