Houma Pediatrics and Thibodaux Pediatrics to join Manning Family Children’s

Written By Alicia Vial

Acadiana practices expands network of pediatric primary care services across the state

NEW ORLEANS - Manning Family Children’s is proud to announce that two long-serving practices will be joining its robust pediatric primary care team in March – Houma Pediatrics and Thibodaux Pediatrics. Between the two Acadiana locations, a team of five providers will be joining the Manning Family Children’s medical staff, where they will continue to offer expert primary care services for children in their local community, backed by the comprehensive services and expertise available within the Manning Family Children’s network.

Community pediatricians Kenneth Cruse, MD and Henry Peltier, MD, and their dedicated team, will continue to see patients from their two convenient clinic locations, which will adopt Manning Family Children’s branding in March as the two locations officially transition. The pediatricians will be joined by their team of nurse practitioners, Micah Callais, FNP-C, Beth Lagarde FNP-C, and Jennifer Rodrigue, CPNP.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Cruse, Dr. Peltier, their expert nurse practitioners and staff to the Manning Family’s Children’s team, where they will continue to deliver exceptional pediatric primary care as members of our family,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s. “This exciting growth furthers the impact of our more than 40 pediatric primary care providers who are dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of our young patients and their families.”

On healthy days and sick days – and for any health needs in between - the pediatricians at Manning Family Children’s offer primary care services from 16 locations throughout Southeast Louisiana. The pediatric primary care team is dedicated to caring for children from birth through adolescence, serving more than 131,000 children just last year.

“Dr. Cruse and Dr. Peltier both began practicing in 1995, bringing more than 30 years’ experience with them into this next chapter,” said Nicole Laborde, AVP, Hospital Operations for Manning Family Children’s. “The two Houma Thibodeaux locations saw more than 25,000 patient visits just last year, and will remain a staple for families, now under the Manning Family Children’s umbrella.”

Earlier this month, Children’s Hospital New Orleans, which has proudly served as Louisiana’s only, freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital for 70 years, announced a new chapter and name as Manning Family Children’s. With more than 600 pediatric-trained providers and 3,000 employees solely dedicated to the care of kids, Manning Family Children’s proudly delivers lifesaving and lifechanging care for all children, with nationally leading programs including its Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Neonatology, Pulmonology, and Rehabilitation programs, Behavioral Health, Trauma and Grief, Gun Safety, ThriveKids and more than 40 other pediatric specialties.

In addition to comprehensive services offered at its main campus in New Orleans, Manning Family Children’s operates a robust network of more than 30 satellite locations, pediatric affiliations across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and robust and long-serving community programs designed to meet the health needs of the diverse communities it serves.

To make an appointment at the Thibodaux Pediatrics location (604 N Acadia Rd., #200), call 985.448.3700. To make an appointment at the Houma Pediatrics location (5040 W Main St.), call 985.851.2000. For more information visit manningchildrens.org.

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About Manning Family Children’s
Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 14 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildren’s.org.  

 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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