Health System with 4 hospitals across 1 state
| Health System | Louisiana Department of Health |
|---|---|
| Total Hospitals | 4 |
| Commercial/Acute Hospitals | 1 |
| Total Beds | 547 |
| Commercial/Acute Beds | 37 |
| Headquarters | Jackson, LA |
| Website | ldh.la.gov |
| Hospital | Type | Beds | Teaching | Recently Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Medical Center | Acute Care Hospital | 37 | No | No |
| Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System | Psychiatric | 334 | No | No |
| Central Louisiana State Hospital | Psychiatric | 116 | No | No |
| Cypress Grove Behavioral Health | Psychiatric | 60 | No | No |
As secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, Bruce D. Greenstein leads the state's largest agency with a budget of $19.8 billion and a team responsible for delivering services to millions of Louisianans. [2, 9] He has a deep understanding of healthcare systems, from Medicaid to post-acute care. [6] He was formerly the Health Secretary for Bobby Jindal in Louisiana, and before that he was running Microsoft's worldwide health and human services business division. [6] Prior to Microsoft, Bruce was at CMS overseeing Medicaid Managed Care and Waivers & Demonstrations. He has run operations in behavioral health and spent time in venture capital and private equity and is on the boards of a publicly traded health care company, a health technology company, and two private equity companies addressing the home health market. [6] Bruce has spent the last 30 years in healthcare – split between the public and private sectors. [6] Today, he runs strategy and innovation at the nation's largest post-acute care company. [6]
Practicing family medicine physician in Richland Parish for more than 30 years. Served three terms in Congress, representing Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. [5, 7] Before earning his Medical Doctor degree from LSU Health Shreveport, he practiced veterinary medicine for 10 years. [5] The Surgeon General is co-equal with the Secretary within the Department's organizational chart, and is charged with crafting health policy, including healthcare workforce development; advocating for wellness and disease prevention, and coordinating with other state agencies and institutions to improve health outcomes in Louisiana. [5] Under the bill, the Surgeon General is appointed by the Governor and must be a licensed and practicing physician in Louisiana. [5] The Surgeon General will absorb the duties of the State health Officer, making the new position budget neutral. [5]
Previously served LDH as chief of staff to former Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee. [7] The deputy secretary is the coordinator for LDH's Regional Coordinating Councils and oversees the coordination and implementation of the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). [7]
Joined the Department in January 2024 as chief of staff and was promoted to undersecretary in June 2024. [8] In this role, Maranto will oversee the State Medicaid program, as well as eight administrative divisions with departmental responsibilities for budget preparation, financial planning, purchasing, personnel, accounting, data processing and development of strategic and operational plans. [5]
Nicholas Gachassin, III serves as the Executive Counsel at the Louisiana Department of Health. He holds a Juris Doctor with Honors from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and an LL.M. in Health Care Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Gachassin has extensive experience providing legal counsel to healthcare providers and businesses, including hospitals, physicians, and various healthcare agencies. Prior to his current role, he was a member of the Gachassin Law Firm, served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for LHC Group, Inc., and was General Counsel for Sanara MedTech, Inc. He is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Mississippi and is a member of several healthcare organizations.
Formerly LDH Director of Legislative and Governmental Relations. [5]
Dr. Wyche T. Coleman, III, serves as the Deputy Surgeon General for the Louisiana Department of Health. He is a lifelong resident of Louisiana and a graduate of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, where he completed his medical education and Ophthalmology residency. Dr. Coleman is a board-certified Ophthalmologist with clinical expertise in advanced cataract surgery, LASIK, PRK, and the management of chronic eye conditions. He was one of the first surgeons in Louisiana certified to use the LenSx laser system for cataract surgery. Dr. Coleman is also noted for co-developing an FDA-approved mobile eye imaging device. In addition to his role at the Department of Health, he practices at WK Eye Institute in Shreveport and is committed to providing eye care services in rural Louisiana communities.
Kimberly Sullivan is the Medicaid Executive Director at the Louisiana Department of Health. She has over two decades of experience with the department, primarily focused on Medicaid. Her previous roles at the LDH include Medicaid section chief of program integrity, deputy general counsel, and executive counsel. Before her state service, she was an attorney at a medical malpractice defense firm. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and a J.D. from LSU Law.
Monique Cross serves as the Deputy Undersecretary at the Louisiana Department of Health. She reports to the Undersecretary and oversees divisions including Fiscal Management, Human Resources, and Planning & Budget.
Karen Stubbs serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), having joined the department in 2013. In this role, she is responsible for leading policy decisions related to the prevention and treatment of mental illness, substance use disorders, and addictive disorders. Her work also involves monitoring and consulting on the children's Medicaid Coordinated System of Care program and the Medicaid Healthy Louisiana managed care plans. Before becoming Assistant Secretary, Stubbs was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the OBH Health Plan Management Division, where she was instrumental in implementing behavioral health managed care. Her professional background also includes leadership positions in the Office of Juvenile Justice and serving as the Executive Director of the Children's Cabinet in the Governor's Office. She has experience running a local drug court and worked as an attorney on Child in Need of Care cases. Stubbs is an attorney who earned her law degree from LSU in 2003 after completing her undergraduate studies at Tulane University in 2000. Her career has encompassed responsibilities in healthcare policy, compliance, administration, and legal and legislative activities.
Julie Foster Hagan serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities at the Louisiana Department of Health, a position she has held since July 2018. She has worked for the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) for over 25 years, holding various leadership roles including Deputy Assistant Secretary, Administrator of the North Lake Supports and Services Center, and Program Manager of the statewide OCDD Resource Centers. Hagan's work is driven by a desire to improve the quality of the intellectual/developmental disabilities service delivery system to support individuals in living more independent and meaningful lives in the community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree in Speech/Language Pathology, as well as a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has also been involved in national initiatives, serving on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities and as a member of their National Policy Workgroup, in addition to being appointed to the National Advisory Council for Individuals with Disabilities in Disasters.
Gearry Williams is the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). He has over 15 years of state service, including eight years as undersecretary of Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ). Williams has more than 30 years of experience in management, business development, budget analysis, and operations. As undersecretary at OJJ, he managed daily operations and finance, and oversaw food services, facility and community-based treatment, and educational programs, including the administration of federal funding. Before working at OJJ, he was a state budget management analyst in the Louisiana Office of Planning and Budget and held executive-level positions in finance and banking for many years. Williams holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Northwestern State University. In his role at OAAS, he oversees long-term care programs for senior citizens and adults with disabilities, including initiatives like the Community Choices Waiver, Long-Term Personal Care Services, Adult Protective Services, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Louisiana's Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Program.
Tonya Joiner is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), having served in multiple leadership capacities within the department since 2016, including Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff. She has over 17 years of experience in legislative development, legal and regulatory compliance oversight, and leading public health and advocacy campaigns. Before her tenure at LDH, Joiner was a staff attorney for the Louisiana House of Representatives, where she assisted legislators with research, policy advice, and bill drafting. She earned her J.D. from Southern University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Joiner also serves as an Ex-Officio member on the Louisiana State Board of Examiners for Sanitarians.
Tangela Womack is the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Women's Health & Community Health at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). In this role, she focuses on improving the overall well-being of women in Louisiana through advocacy and education, ensuring communities have the necessary knowledge and resources for informed healthcare decisions. Womack joined the LDH in 2019. Before becoming Assistant Secretary, she held various leadership positions within the Medicaid program at LDH. Her previous roles included working in clinical policy, legislative and governmental relations, and serving as Senior Advisor to the Medicaid Executive Director. As a Medicaid Deputy Director, she was involved in strategic direction and oversight of initiatives in Public Affairs, Waivers and Supports, and Policy divisions. She also led a public information campaign for Medicaid unwind. Throughout her tenure, Womack has contributed to significant accomplishments, such as extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months, securing Medicaid coverage for community health worker services, and reforming hospital payments. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas. She has also been a member of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council.
Kimberly Humbles serves as the General Counsel of the Bureau of Legal Services at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). She has held this position and was mentioned in this capacity in news releases and legal documents dating back to at least 2011 and 2018. In December 2020, a leadership announcement from the LDH listed Kimberly Humbles as the General Counsel of the Bureau of Legal Services. She was also noted as the General Counsel in a 2025 report regarding proposed amendments to behavioral health service provider licensing standards. Public records from 2018 indicate her salary as LDH General Counsel 3 was $140,300 per year. Kimberly Humbles was also listed as General Counsel for LDH in a LegiStorm summary of the organization.
Teresa Broussard serves as the LDH Compliance Officer at the Louisiana Department of Health. In this role, she was a contact person for inquiries regarding the state's response to COVID-19 in nursing facilities and a related corrective action plan in April 2021.
Tasheka Dukes serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Health Standards Section at the Louisiana Department of Health. She is a Registered Nurse (RN) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Health Administration (MHA). In her role, she is involved in the licensing of healthcare facilities, responding to inquiries regarding proposed rules and regulations, and addressing matters related to compliance and oversight within the Health Standards Section. She is also listed as a contact person for official correspondence and audit responses from the Louisiana Department of Health.
Frederick Skinner serves as the Human Resources Director for the Louisiana Department of Health, specifically within the Division of Human Resources & Training Development. No further details about his professional background, such as his education or previous experience, were found in the search results.
Timothy A. White serves as the Director of the Division of Safety/Security & Administrative Services at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). In this role, he is listed as the contact person for various services within his division, including managing access badge requests, handling matters related to the Bienville Building such as coffee service, conference rooms, furniture, keys, and maintenance work orders. He is also identified as an LDH Safety Contact. An email from 2021 regarding the planned use of inmate labor for cleaning state-owned buildings was signed by Timothy A. White in his capacity as Director of LDH's Safety/Security and Administrative Services. However, a detailed professional background for Timothy A. White in this specific role at the Louisiana Department of Health was not found in the search results.
Kevin Suire is the Director of the Division of Planning and Budget at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). In this capacity, he is responsible for managing the budget process and coordinating planning and performance-based budgeting activities across the department. His division also oversees the Louisiana Performance Accountability System (LaPAS).
Dr. James Hussey is the Medical Director for the Office of Behavioral Health at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). He graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1986 and specializes in Neurology, Psychiatry, and Family Medicine. Prior to his current role, he served as the Medicaid Behavioral Health Medical Director for the Department of Health and Hospitals, which is now the LDH. Dr. Hussey has been involved in various initiatives related to behavioral health in Louisiana, including the Louisiana Perinatal Mental Health Task Force and the Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE Council), which he chaired. He has also been a contributor to guides on navigating Louisiana's systems for support and services for individuals with co-occurring disabilities. His work at the LDH Office of Behavioral Health has involved overseeing programs and policies related to mental health and addiction services. He is based in Baton Rouge, LA.
Dr. Kathleen Willis is the Associate Medical Director at the Louisiana Department of Health. She graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1999 and specializes in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. She works in Independence, LA.
Pam Diez is the Chief Operating Officer at the Bureau of Health Services Financing within the Louisiana Department of Health. She is a Certified Public Accountant with 34 years of experience in state government, focusing on finance and administration. Diez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Her experience includes serving as Deputy Medicaid Director/Chief Financial Officer at the Louisiana Department of Health Bureau of Health Services Financing. She is currently a Trustee on the LASERS Board of Trustees, having served since 2024, and a Board Member of the National Association of State Human Services Finance Officers. Previously, she was a Board Member of the Campus Federal Credit Union and a member of the Ascension Parish Tourism Commission. She is also a graduate of Leadership Ascension.
Charlene Julien serves as the Deputy Director of the Eligibility Division for the Louisiana Medicaid program at the Louisiana Department of Health. In this role, she discusses topics related to Medicaid eligibility and provides information to members about maintaining their enrollment.
Brian Bennett is the Deputy Director, Policy, Waiver & Public Affairs for Medicaid at the Louisiana Department of Health. In this role, he is involved in providing updates on Medicaid-related matters, including eligibility redeterminations and various waiver programs like the New Opportunities Waiver (NOW). He has previously been identified as a Section Chief within the Medicaid Program Support and Waivers section. Bennett participates in discussions and meetings concerning Medicaid services, policy changes, and legislative impacts, particularly those affecting individuals with developmental disabilities. He has also been nominated to an internal committee within the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council.
Mitzi Hochheiser is the Medicaid Deputy Director for Data & Systems at the Louisiana Department of Health. She has also been identified as the Medicaid Deputy Director, Digital Services, Data and Systems. Prior to this role, she served as the Medicaid CTO in 2020. Hochheiser began her career with the Louisiana Department of Health in 2001, focusing on aligning the budget with health policy priorities, including the development of a proposal to extend Medicaid coverage. In 2006, she joined Louisiana Medicaid and managed a grant that resulted in the WorkSmart! program, which contributed to simplifying the Medicaid eligibility process. She has been involved in modernizing the state's Medicaid systems and educating users on new technologies. Hochheiser has also presented on topics such as Medicaid IT modernization and the application of AI in government healthcare at various conferences.
Kolynda Parker is the Deputy Director of Program Operations & Compliance, Quality Improvement, and Pharmacy divisions at the Louisiana Department of Health Medicaid program. In this role, she oversees the operations of Medicaid managed care (MCO and dental), provider relations, ancillary services, and professional services. She also directs the execution of the state's Medicaid Quality Strategy and manages Medicaid pharmacy operations. Parker has a long history in public service, starting almost 27 years ago as a clinical lab scientist at a charity hospital in Baton Rouge. Before her current position, she served as section chief of the Medicaid Quality Improvement division at the Louisiana Department of Health. Her experience also includes roles outside of Louisiana, such as serving as the deputy chief of LTSS at TennCare and working for six years as a senior associate general counsel in the TennCare Office of General Counsel, focusing on administrative litigation related to LTSS, provider fraud, waste, and abuse. Earlier in her legal career, she spent seven years at the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee concentrating on health, benefits, elder law, and children's issues. Parker holds certifications in Clinical Laboratory Science (MLS (ASCP)CM), is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB). She is recognized for her advocacy for policies addressing access to care, health disparities, and improving the quality of care and health outcomes. She has also been involved in initiatives to improve antibiotic use in Louisiana Medicaid.
Kristi Hawkins is listed as being in charge of Medicaid Enterprise Systems at the Louisiana Department of Health. She is also a contract monitor at the Louisiana Department of Health, and can be contacted regarding issues such as failure to meet contractual requirements. Additionally, Kristi Hawkins is a contact person for information regarding updates to the State Plan Amendment related to Third-Party Liability, effective July 1, 2024.
Jamie Baronet is the Eligibility Field Operations in the Medicaid Leadership at the Louisiana Department of Health.
Brandon Bueche is the Section Chief, Medicaid Program Operations and Compliance within the Bureau of Health Services Financing at the Louisiana Department of Health. He was previously the Medicaid Dental Program Director for the Louisiana Department of Health. In his role, he has been involved in initiatives to improve oral health for Medicaid recipients, including increasing the utilization of pediatric fluoride varnish services. He has also been involved in discussions regarding access to covered dental benefits for adult Medicaid beneficiaries. In 2017, he was the Dental Program Manager and served as a contact for questions regarding corrective action plans related to findings in the Medicaid Dental Program. He is a fellow of the State Oral Health Leadership Institute.
Toni Bennett is involved in Medicaid Program Support and Waivers at the Louisiana Department of Health. She is listed as a contact for Mental Health Rehabilitation Services within Louisiana Medicaid. Bennett has participated in public forums concerning the Healthy Louisiana Substance Use Disorder 1115 Demonstration Waiver.
Starr Moore is the Medicaid Business Analytics Section Chief at Louisiana Medicaid. She is scheduled to speak at an event regarding implementing member-centered care models with integrated data and community partnership.
Theresa Carter is listed under Medicaid Technology Development at the Louisiana Department of Health.
Tim Williams is listed under Medicaid Leadership at the Louisiana Department of Health as working in Quality Improvement & Population Health.
Kendal Scheidt serves as the PPMO and Shared Services within the Medicaid leadership team at the Louisiana Department of Health.
Mikayla Miller serves as the Executive Management Officer for Medicaid at the Louisiana Department of Health. She has been involved in communications related to proposed rules within the Home Health Program. No further details about her specific professional background, prior experience, or education are available in the search results.
Melwyn Wendt is a Pharmacist 8 and the Pharmacy Director at the Louisiana Department of Health, specifically involved with the Medicaid Pharmacy program. She holds a Pharm D. Her background includes involvement in the Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee and the Louisiana Drug Utilization Review (DUR) program, with references dating back to at least 2004. Wendt has been a contact for the Louisiana Medicaid Pharmacy program in numerous official communications and has participated in discussions and expert panels regarding pharmacy reimbursement, drug shortages, and patient review and restriction programs. She is listed under "Pharmacy" in the Medicaid Leadership section of the Louisiana Department of Health as of May 2025.
Kelly Zimmerman is currently the Special Projects Officer at the Louisiana Department of Health. Previously, she served as the Interim Deputy Director over Policy, Waiver and Public Affairs, a role she moved into in December 2020. As of 2020-2021, she was the Director of Communications and Publications for the Louisiana Department of Health Medicaid Program Office and is noted as a seasoned expert in crisis communications and coronavirus response and communications. In June 2019, she was listed as a Media contact for the Louisiana Department of Health.