JOHN NICKENS CEO, Children’s Hospital New Orleans
BY LIESEL SCHMIDT
Now is the time to transform how we provide healthcare for our kids. The consistent ranking of our state as one of the worst in child health outcomes does not match the rich culture and passion of the people of Louisiana”
W
ith so many different diseases, epidemics, and medical issues plaguing the nation, healthcare is a challenging field. And to be the president and CEO of a hospital—any hospital, for that matter— takes a great deal of dedication, foresight, diplomacy, and understanding. But the need for those characteristics come even more into play for the president and CEO of a children’s hospital. Luckily for Children’s Hospital New Orleans, the man bearing those titles meets those demands and then some, using his position and deep knowledge of the healthcare industry to serve the needs of the children of Louisiana in the best way possible.
With more than 25 years of pediatric healthcare experience under his belt, when John Nickens took on his current role at Children’s Hospital New Orleans in 2017, the former Executive Vice President at Texas Children’s Hospital brought with him a particular understanding of children’s health and the challenges it faces. He also brought with him a passion that has been the impetus for his success and his continued dedication to his work. “As a father to three girls, I have always been motivated by the idea that I could impact the health of the next generation,” Nickens says. “I see the impact of our care firsthand every day, and that is what motivates me. We are making a lifechanging difference for the children and families under our care, and there is nothing more meaningful.”
APRIL 2022
43
