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Personnel moves at Baker Donelson, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

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  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 5:58 GMT by NOLA.com
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Baton Rouge General Announces a Wave of Personnel Moves Amid Strategic Shift

Baton Rouge General Hospital (BRGH), the flagship medical center of the city’s health system, announced a sweeping series of personnel changes on Tuesday that could signal a broader strategic shift toward modernizing its clinical services and reinforcing its leadership core. The move‑list, released as part of the hospital’s quarterly update, names a handful of high‑profile hires, a set of retirements and departures, and several internal promotions that the administration says will “enhance patient care and support the hospital’s long‑term goals.”

New Executive Leadership

The most headline‑grabbing change is the appointment of Dr. Sarah Thompson, a 12‑year veteran of BRGH’s Department of Nursing, as the new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). Thompson will be responsible for overseeing all nursing operations, implementing evidence‑based protocols, and driving quality improvement initiatives across the hospital’s 280‑bed inpatient campus. She succeeded Dr. Maria Ruiz, who stepped down after an eight‑year tenure as CNO. In a statement released on the hospital’s website, Thompson emphasized her commitment to staff development and patient safety: “I’m honored to take on this role and look forward to working with our talented nursing teams to continue providing the highest level of care.”

The hospital also hired Dr. Andrew White as Vice President of Clinical Services. White, previously the Director of Surgery at the nearby St. Jude Hospital, brings a wealth of experience in surgical program management and cost‑control strategies. The appointment comes at a time when BRGH is looking to expand its surgical capabilities and streamline its surgical workflow.

Strategic Clinical Hires

In a bid to bolster its medical leadership, BRGH announced the arrival of Dr. Karen Lee as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Lee, a renowned cardiologist who has published extensively on heart‑failure management, will oversee clinical governance, medical staff recruitment, and the development of new specialty programs. She replaces Dr. James Allen, who retired after 30 years of service as CMO.

The hospital also welcomed Dr. Emily Sanchez as the Chief Pediatric Officer (CPO), following her promotion from Director of Pediatrics. Sanchez has led the pediatric department’s expansion of neonatal intensive care services over the past three years and is now tasked with leading the hospital’s overall pediatric strategy, including community outreach and preventive health initiatives.

Departures and Retirements

The personnel moves include several high‑profile departures that signal a generational shift in leadership. Among them is Dr. Michael Carter, who left to join a private practice in Baton Rouge that specializes in geriatric care. Carter had served as the hospital’s Chief of Oncology for a decade. “It’s a bittersweet moment,” said Dr. Carter in a farewell letter, adding, “I’ll miss the team at BRGH, but I’m excited to explore new challenges in private practice.”

Other notable exits include Dr. James Moore, a senior surgeon who moved to a research institute affiliated with Louisiana State University, and Dr. Lisa Patel, who left to pursue a fellowship in neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic. Their departures have been met with congratulations from their colleagues, who praise their contributions to the hospital’s surgical and research missions.

Internal Promotions and Staff Expansion

Beyond executive appointments, BRGH highlighted a number of internal promotions that underscore its commitment to career development. Dr. Thomas Brown was promoted to Hospital Administrator, taking over from the retiring administrator, Dr. Karen James, after 15 years in the role. Brown will now oversee day‑to‑day operations, budget planning, and interdepartmental coordination.

In the information technology realm, the hospital announced the hire of Mark Collins as Director of Information Technology. Collins brings experience from the federal government’s health data program and will spearhead the hospital’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including the rollout of a new electronic health record (EHR) system and the integration of telemedicine platforms.

Broader Context and Future Plans

The personnel moves come amid broader changes at BRGH. The hospital recently completed a $120 million expansion of its emergency department and has plans to open a new cardiac care wing next year. In a note to the press, the hospital’s chief executive, Dr. James Brown, emphasized that the new hires are “aligned with our vision of becoming a leading provider of comprehensive, patient‑centered care.” He added that the appointments were part of a strategic “re‑focus on clinical excellence, workforce development, and technology integration.”

The announcement was followed by a link to a press release on the hospital’s website that details the hiring process for Dr. Lee’s role, including an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. A second link directed readers to an article on the local news website about the hospital’s upcoming construction of a “patient‑experience center,” which will integrate behavioral health services with primary care.

The community reaction has been largely positive, with many local business leaders and former patients praising the hospital’s proactive approach to staffing. An editorial in the Baton Rouge Times lauded BRGH’s commitment to “investing in leadership that reflects the community’s needs.”

Looking Forward

While the immediate focus will be on integrating these new leaders into their roles, the long‑term impact of the personnel moves will likely be measured by BRGH’s performance metrics over the next few years. Key indicators include patient satisfaction scores, readmission rates, and the expansion of specialty services. With a bolstered leadership team and a clear focus on innovation, Baton Rouge General Hospital appears poised to navigate the challenges of modern healthcare while continuing to serve as a vital resource for the Baton Rouge community.