Ochsner Hero

This week's Ochsner Heroes of the week are Rylie Smith and Jackson Porter. Smith and Porter recently received their Covid-19 vaccinations at 12 years old and are being honored for their commitment to keeping their community safe.

This week's Ochsner Hero of the week is Dr. Yvens Laborde. Dr. Laborde leads Ochsner's Equitable Vaccine Distribution work group to make sure Covid-19 vaccines are distributed safely, efficiently and effectively across the region and also is involved with international aid and assisting Haiti's Covid-19 recovery.

Most would describe Dwight or D.J., as everyone calls him, as quiet, humble, kind and always willing to help. In April of 2020 at the age of 17, D.J. was suddenly diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent brain surgery to remove most of the tumor, but also had to undergo chemotherapy treatment and physical therapy treatment to recover from his surgery. With determination, Faith in God, and support of family, friends, and Ochsner medical team D.J. Surprised everyone with a speedy recovery.  He's stronger every day. DJ enjoys sports, spending time with his family, his favorite cousin and going to church on Sundays with his grandmother.

This week's Ochsner Hero of the week is Roy Green. Green has lived with scoliosis his whole life. After his condition left him paraplegic, Green received a life changing surgery by the surgeons at Ochsner Hospital and regained his ability to walk through hard work and determination.

The Saints and Ochsner celebrate Dr. Veronica Gillispie by naming her the Ochsner Hero for the NFC Divisional game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gillispie is one of 500 vaccinated health-care workers from Ochsner Health and LCMC Health that have been selected to attend Sunday's playoff game.

The Saints and Ochsner celebrate Morgan Hahn by naming her the Ochsner Hero for the NFC Wild Card matchup against the Chicago Bears. Hahn is one of 250 vaccinated health care workers from Ochsner Health and LCMC Health that have been selected to attend Sunday's playoff game.

Ochsner celebrated Mia Yepez by naming her the Ochsner Hero at the Week 15 matchup against the Chiefs on Sunday, December 20, 2020.

Ochsner celebrated Ellie Hudson by naming her the Ochsner Hero at the Week 11 matchup against the Falcons on Sunday, November 22, 2020.

Ochsner celebrated Carl Herrick by naming him the Ochsner Hero at the Week 5 matchup against the Chargers on Monday, October 12, 2020.

Ochsner celebrated Wyatt Baptiste by naming her the Ochsner Hero at the Week 3 matchup against the Packers on Sunday, September 27, 2020.

Ochsner celebrated Georgehilda Bennett's miraculous recovery from a heart transplant by naming her the Ochsner Hero at Monday nights game.

Alfred Hand celebrated the ten year anniversary of receiving his Left Ventricular Assist Device at Ochsner. The Saints were happy to join the celebration by honoring Alfred as the Ochsner Hero of the Game on Sunday.

Hans Jonassen was the Ochsner Hero for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles

The Saints honored veteran Martin Macias as 'Ochsner Hero' at Sunday's game against the Rams. Thank you for your service, Martin, and here's to good health!

This week, the Saints and Ochsner honored Michelle Defrisco, a breast cancer patient and survivor, with game tickets, field passes and a football signed by Alvin Kamara.

This week ALS patient Maxine Benton was honored as the Ochsner Hero of the Game and was given game tickets and field passes for her family and a football signed by her favorite player, Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

This week, the Saints and Ochsner honored Susan Gray, a normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) patient, with game tickets, field passes and a football signed by Alvin Kamara.