Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
After 12 years of serving as Ochsner Lafayette General’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David L. Callecod recently announced he will transition to a new role as executive advisor for Ochsner Health effective March 1, 2021. After a vote by the board of trustees on Tuesday, January 26, the decision was made that Patrick Gandy, Ochsner Lafayette General’s current Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center’s CEO, will serve as the system’s new President and CEO after David’s transition.
In his new role, David will contribute his significant experience as Ochsner Lafayette General transitions more fully to Ochsner Health. In addition to championing this integration, David will provide executive coaching to CEOs within Ochsner Health, support government relations efforts and represent Ochsner Health in promotion of critical work related to innovation. David will remain a member of the Ochsner Lafayette General Foundation Board. He will continue in his current position as President and CEO of Ochsner Lafayette General until February 28, 2021.
“I am extremely proud of the health system we’ve built over the last decade. Our commitment to always delivering excellence has significantly impacted our patients and communities across Acadiana and made us a healthcare leader in the region,” said David L. Callecod, FACHE, President and CEO, Ochsner Lafayette General. “It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside the most dedicated leaders, employees and medical staff, and I know that the brightest days for Ochsner Lafayette General are ahead of us. I am excited to take on this new role and enter a new chapter in my professional career within Ochsner Health.”
Gandy, who has been with the health system since 1993, has held numerous roles through now Ochsner Lafayette General’s history, including several senior management positions at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital and Ochsner Lafayette General Imaging. Gandy is also a certified public accountant by trade and has dedicated a major part of his 27 years within the system to making it one of the best places to work and to receive healthcare.
“Patrick Gandy is a purpose-driven servant leader who has made significant contributions to Ochsner Lafayette General during his 27-year tenure. We are excited for Patrick to take on this new leadership role as President and CEO as we continue to grow and expand services for the communities across Acadiana,” said Warner Thomas, President and CEO, Ochsner Health. “We also want to thank and congratulate David Callecod for the lasting impact he has made on transforming healthcare delivery in the region, and we look forward to having David share his expertise with leaders across Ochsner Health as executive advisor.”
As Patrick moves into his role as President and CEO of Ochsner Lafayette General, Al Patin will be named CEO of Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center. Al has served as the flagship hospital’s COO since 2018. Prior to his current role, Al was Chief Administrative Officer of the LGMD Physician Group. Al began his career as a registered nurse and later served in various executive leadership roles. As CEO, Al will have executive oversight over Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital, Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital, Ochsner St. Martin Hospital, Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital and Oil Center Surgical Plaza.
Finally, filling the role that will be vacated by Al Patin, Jude Fontenot will be named Chief Operating Officer of Ochsner LGMC. Since 2019, Jude has served as Vice President of Surgical and Support Services for Ochsner LGMC and as the Administrator of Ochsner LG Ortho; he will continue to oversee these services in his new role as COO. Jude joined Ochsner LGMC in 1993 as a nurse tech while earning his nursing degree. He was later a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit for 12 years and has served in several leadership roles, including Director of Critical Care and Emergency services at Ochsner LGMC. He transferred to the former Lafayette General Southwest in 2015 to serve as Assistant Chief Nursing Officer and was later promoted to Administrator and helped transition the campus to LG Ortho.
“Following our recent merger with Ochsner Health and our dedicated team of 4,500 employees and caregivers, the future of Ochsner Lafayette General is bright and stronger than ever,” said David Wilson, Chair, Ochsner Lafayette General Board of Trustees. “Patrick Gandy, Al Patin and Jude Fontenot share an unwavering commitment to the patients and communities we serve, and we look forward to continuing to build a healthier Acadiana under their leadership.”
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About Ochsner Lafayette General
Ochsner Lafayette General has more than 5,500 employees and serves 220,000 patients per year. The organization includes Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital, Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital, Ochsner St. Martin Hospital, Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics, Ochsner Acadia General Hospital, Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital, Ochsner American Legion Hospital and a number of clinics, urgent cares and professional centers. Ochsner LGMC is the only Level II Trauma Center in Southwest Louisiana. Both Ochsner LGMC and Ochsner UHC are major teaching hospitals, providing graduate medical education across many disciplines.