City of New Orleans Director of Health Charlotte Parent announced that after nine years of service to the City, she will leave her post on July 29, 2016, to become the Assistant Vice President of Community Affairs and Network Navigation for Louisiana-based, non-for-profit healthcare system LCMC Health. Parent joined the New Orleans Health Department in June 2007 and has served as the Director of Health since January 2014.
Under Parent’s leadership as Director of Health, the New Orleans Health Department became one of the first 50 health departments in the country to be fully accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). She also oversaw the transformation of the Health Department from providing direct care services to working to build a culture of health through population health initiatives.
Additionally, she served as vice-chairman of the Orleans Parish Hospital Service District-District A board which was created to restore healthcare services to New Orleans East, Gentilly, and the Lower Ninth Ward. In July 2014, the full-service, $130 million, 80-bed New Orleans East Hospital opened, providing emergency, surgical, cardiology, gastroenterology, radiology, and rehab services to residents in that area.
In her new role at LCMC Health, Parentwill function as the lead executive on Medicaid expansion operations and implementation across some of their hospitals, liaise closely with their community’s primary care providers and FQHCs, and work to build collaboration among nursing leadership. She will work on public health initiatives including population health efforts, alternative care delivery models, clinically integrated networks and other special projects.
Upon Parent’s departure, Jeffrey Elder, MD, who serves as the City’s Director of Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS), will serve as the Interim Director of Health overseeing the department’s operations and initiatives.