Doctor Wyeth Lawson

What inspired you to study medicine? 

After years of public health and community health education practice, I was drawn to clinical medicine and the direct doctor-patient relationship. By pursuing a career in medicine, I want to impact community health at both the individual and population levels.

What are you most passionate about in your profession? 

I am passionate about helping women achieve the highest level of health. I love associating with women as they advance through the different phases of life, helping them achieve the highest quality of life.

Why did you choose OB-GYN as a specialization? 

This field is unique because it allows a doctor to care for a woman during many phases of her life. It facilitates a long-term doctor-patient relationship not offered in other specialties. Additionally, obstetrics and gynecology provide a broad range of practices, including primary care, obstetric care, and gynecologic surgery. 

Is there any condition that predominates in the patients you see? 

Pregnancy. It is an honor for me to be able to be part of the reproductive goals of a woman and her family. While our goal is often a safe and healthy pregnancy, it is equally important to help a woman avoid pregnancy when she does not want it.

What do you recommend to patients for taking care of their health? 

Establishing a relationship with a doctor is the most important thing a woman can do for her health. When women receive regular care, they can access the necessary education, counseling, and clinical services.

What advice do you give to young immigrants or minority groups in the US who dream of studying health careers? 

Get an education. Then, spend time with people who do what you want to do. Ask to spend time with them at work. Ask them how they achieved a career in healthcare.be doing work that will give you happiness for the rest of your life.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I love spending time with my wife and two children. We love to travel and see new parts of the world. I enjoy cooking, running, playing soccer, and exploring New Orleans culture and cuisine.

What do you like about living in Louisiana? 

During our 7 years in Louisiana, we have loved this vibrant city's culture, history, and cuisine. I am honored to be able to serve a large and vibrant Spanish-speaking community in the region.

For the Spanish version of this article, click here>>Doctora del Mes Noviembre: Shontell Thomas, MD, MSPH

DOCTOR OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER: 

Shontell Thomas, MD, MSPH

OB-GYN 

Country of origin: Estados Unidos

Education: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Emory University (OB-GYN Residency)

Years practicing: 17

Clínic: Ochsner Kenner Medical Center

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

-Ochsner Clinical Teaching Excellence Award in 2014 (Profesora del Año)

What inspired you to study medicine? 

I wanted to teach and be a doctor who educates her patients on taking care of their health.

What are you most passionate about in your profession? 

I love being able to help women give birth. 

Why did you choose OB-GYN as a specialization? 

I had a strong interest in protecting women’s health. 

Is there any condition that predominates in the patients you see? 

My patients see mostly for their general care, consisting of physical exams and pap smears. 

What do you recommend to people as a preventative method for that condition or health in general? 

Come in regularly for breast exams and pap smears and to discuss birth control if you are interested.

What advice do you give to young immigrants or minority groups in the US who dream of studying health careers? 

Keep focused on your studies, both at school and at the university. The path to becoming a doctor can be tricky - but in the end - you will be doing work that will give you happiness for the rest of your life.

What do you like about living in Louisiana? 

I love going to the theater. I also enjoy concerts and festivals like French Quarter Fest, Jazz Fest, and Essence Fest. 

For the Spanish version of this article, click here>>DOCTOR LEONARDO SEOANE: Liderando la lucha por la equidad en medicina

Dr. Leonardo Seoane, the Founding Dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM), is a visionary leader with a compelling personal story and a deep commitment to addressing healthcare disparities. As a first-generation immigrant from Cuba, Dr. Seoane’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and the importance of representation in the medical field. 

Dr. Seoane often shares his humble beginnings as a young boy whose parents had limited formal education. “I am that immigrant boy, the living embodiment of the transformational power of medical education,” said Dr. Seoane in his speech during the press conference announcement of the XOCOM. His parents didn't speak English when they immigrated to the United States. His father worked as a janitor and garbage collector while his mother stayed home to care for their six boys. Dr. Seoane was the first in his family to graduate college and medical school and inspired his siblings to obtain professional degrees.

His personal experience fuels his passion for creating opportunities for underrepresented minorities in medicine and for addressing a physician workforce crisis. He recognizes the urgent need to address the lack of diversity among physicians, citing alarming statistics: “While Hispanics make up 19% of the population, we only make up 6.9% of the physicians. In comparison, Blacks and African Americans make up 14% of the population; they only make up 5.7% of the physicians.”

As Executive VP and Chief Academic Officer at Ochsner Health, Dr. Seoane has championed numerous programs fostering inclusivity and innovation. He has been instrumental in developing XOCOM, a groundbreaking collaboration between Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) and Ochsner Health. As the only HBCU medical school currently set to open in the Gulf South, this unique initiative aims to train physicians who reflect their communities and bring a unique perspective to healthcare, thereby contributing to a more equitable healthcare system. 

Dr. Seoane’s dedication to equitable healthcare is evident in his work. While at Ochsner, he has fostered partnerships for Ochsner with multiple universities in Louisiana and the University of Queensland in Australia. He has consulted XULA to establish programs like the physician’s assistantship and counseling programs, which have increased representation in fields where practitioners of minority groups are underrepresented. He envisions the XOCOM as a catalyst for change, stating, “The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine will transform generations of young Black and Brown lives; they’ll experience the transformational power of a STEM education, of a life in service of others.”

The XOCOM’s mission aligns with Dr. Seoane’s vision of addressing physician shortages and improving health outcomes for minority communities. He emphasizes the urgency of this mission, stating, “As we face this incredible physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036, it is more urgent than ever to form this medical school.” This sense of urgency underscores the importance of Dr. Seoane’s work and the need for more diverse physicians in the healthcare field.

Dr. Seoane is proud that a Cuban-American is the founding dean of this new medical school in the region. He is also grateful for the trust he has received from esteemed colleagues, regional leaders, and both institutions’ board members who have believed in his vision. He is aware that his accomplishments serve as an inspiration to many Latinos to dream bigger. “I want the youth to have the opportunity to attend medical school. It is important to have more doctors who speak Spanish and represent their communities,” he says. 

We are proud of his dedication to addressing healthcare disparities and his unwavering commitment to training the next generation of diverse physicians. We recognize Dr. Leonardo Seoane for advocating for a more equitable future in the medical field.

For the Spanish version of this article, click here>>Doctora del Mes - Octubre: Erika Díaz-Narváez, MD.

Doctor of the Month - October: Erika Díaz-Narváez, MD.

Geriatrics and Palliative Care

País de Origen: Honduras

Educación: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAM), Jacobi/AECOM and Mount Sinai Hospital New York. 

Años de Práctica: 16

Clínica de Atención: Ochsner Main Campus

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

- Ochsner Health System Doctor of the Year 2022 

- University of Queensland Top Clinical Preceptor in 2023

What inspired you to study medicine? 

I was very curious to learn how the human body works. 

What are you most passionate about in your profession? 

Making a difference in people’s lives, helping them feel better and enjoy their quality of life.  

Why did you choose geriatrics as a specialization? 

I chose geriatrics because of the proximity to my grandparents: I wanted to help older adults age well. I also chose palliative care because I saw that all of my geriatric patients were going to need palliative care at some point in their lives to maintain a good quality of life despite their medical conditions. 

Is there any condition that predominates in the patients you see? 

Dementia. This condition is challenging for patients when they are diagnosed and are in mild stages; it is also difficult for the family and caregiver in advanced stages. Our focus naturally shifts in advanced stages to caring for the caregiver. 

What do you recommend to people as a preventative method for that condition or health in general? 

Maintaining a good diet, an active lifestyle, and exercising are essential for both conditions. To prevent dementia, we recommend reading and learning new things.

What advice do you give to young immigrants or minority groups in the US who dream of studying health careers? 

Many opportunities are available, but they must work hard in school and not be afraid to dream or ask for advice/guidance from people who may know more about the educational resources available.

What do you like about living in Louisiana? 

The Latin community and the “laid back” lifestyle are very different from what I was used to in New York.

To make an appointment, visit ochsner.org