NEW ORLEANS – Dr. Yvens Laborde has been named chief community medical officer for Ochsner Health. He will lead the health system’s community strategy to promote health equity and further align initiatives under Healthy State, a collaborative effort with government, nonprofit and business organizations to promote health and wellness in Louisiana.
Laborde will also develop programs to train and educate students and healthcare professionals on the principles and practices of health equity and social drivers of health and wellness.
The new community medical officer role comes a year after the formation of the 38-member Healthy State Advisory Board.
“It’s an ambitious plan, but with the right people, partners and drive, we are confident we will profoundly improve the well-being of the communities we serve through the lens of health equity,” said Dr. Leonardo Seoane, chief academic officer and executive vice president for Ochsner Health. “Since the beginning of these efforts, Dr. Laborde has been a key partner, and this new role will further our work together and build on the momentum toward creating better health and wellness for the communities we collectively serve.”
Laborde has been a part of the Ochsner community since 1995, when he was an internal medicine physician. Most recently, he served as the medical director of global and community health and led local, regional and global efforts focused on improving health outcomes around the world. He served as physician advisor during Hurricane Ida emergency response efforts; supported the Community Health Needs Assessment; led humanitarian relief efforts following devastating natural events in Haiti, Dominican Republic and Bahamas; and orchestrated outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic to reinforce equitable vaccine and testing in the community.
Prior to his most recent role, Dr. Laborde served in various leadership positions, including section head of general internal medicine. He served as regional medical director of Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus. He served as medical director of Ochsner’s Equitable Vaccine and Testing Program and was co-director of community engagement for Ochsner Xavier Institute of Health Equity and Research. He was also the first elected Black physician on the Ochsner board of directors and served for two terms after Hurricane Katrina.
Laborde will continue his position as adjunct professor for the University of Queensland Ochsner Doctor of Medicine program.
“At Ochsner, we are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care to achieve optimal health and wellbeing for all our patients, and to working collaboratively and respectfully with our external and internal partners to achieve these goals,” said Laborde. “I will work to fulfill the vision to inspire healthier lives and build stronger communities by applying innovative, science-driven solutions to create a culture of inclusivity and health excellence.”
