Touro

James T. Montgomery, President, as a healthcare executive with more than 30 years experience, has an extensive background in hospital management in a variety of hospital settings including non-profit, for profit and academic facilities. He served as Chief Executive Officer at Corpus Christi Medical Center, a healthcare system owned by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), since September 2007 where he led a group of four hospitals. Prior to his work in Texas, Mr. Montgomery served as CEO of Tulane University Hospital & Clinic for seven years and played an integral role in leading the organization's post-Katrina recovery efforts. He has also served as President and CEO of the Central Louisiana Healthcare Partnership, a for-profit joint venture between the Rapides Foundation and HCA, and President and CEO of Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.

Susan (Sue) Pitoscia, Chief Operating Officer (COO), as COO, Sue oversees the day-to-day operations of the hospital. She has more than 25 years of progressive healthcare experience including Vice President of Patient Care Services at Virtua Health and Lourdes Health System in New Jersey. Sue has also worked as a healthcare consultant focusing on operational redesign, patient care delivery models and regulatory compliance. Pitoscia holds a Masters of Science in Nursing from Villanova University and a BSN from LaSalle University. She received her nursing diploma from Helene Fuld School of Nursing.

Robert Ficken, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare finance and has been responsible for the financial management, information services, revenue cycle delivery and investment performance of all Touro Infirmary-affiliated operations since 2002. He started his career with KPMG in Peoria, Illinois and has subsequently held positions of Chief Financial Officer at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Columbia Medical Center West and the Dallas Fort-Worth Medical Center. Robert holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Illinois State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Chad Courrege, Vice President of Human Resources, has fifteen years of human resources leadership and a comprehensive background in all facets of human resources operations and administration. A native New Orleanian, Chad most recently served as the Director of Human Resources at Children’s Hospital. Other previous positions include Human Resource Manager and Manager of Compensation for the Southern States Region of Tenet Healthcare, and Director of Salary Administration, Recruiting and Employee Relations for Pan American Life Insurance Co., located in New Orleans. Chad holds a Master of Business Administration Degree (with a concentration in Human Resources Management and Healthcare Administration) from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree (with a concentration in Accounting) from Our Lady of Holy Cross College and is certified as a Human Resources Professional.

Willa Dixon, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), is a nursing leader with more than 25 years of experience. In her role as Vice President of Patient Care Services and CNO, she is responsible for several clinical areas, including Medical Surgical units, Women’s Services, Preoperative Services, Respiratory Therapy, Pulmonary Rehab, Cardiac Rehab, EEG, IV Team, Diabetes Center, Nursing Education and Nursing Resources. Prior to joining Touro, she served as CNO at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas and was responsible for direct and indirect patient care services. Willa also worked as a healthcare compliance consultant assisting hospitals with Joint Commission accreditation, regulatory compliance and patient safety issues. She has served as CNO at several other hospitals including Havasu Regional Medical Center in Arizona and Park Place Medical Center in Port Arthur, Texas. Willa holds a Masters of Science degree in Human Services from Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut, a BSN in Nursing from Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina, an RN degree from Pitt Community College in Greenville, North Carolina and a diploma in nursing from Lenoir Community College in Kinston, North Carolina.

Scott C. Landry, Vice President of Facilities has oversight responsibility for all Touro Enterprise Properties, including Plant Operations, Maintenance, Bio-Medical Engineering, Facilities Development, Environmental Services, Laundry Services and Parking Operations. Scott has over 22 years of healthcare specific facilities management experience with over 16 years with Ochsner Medical Foundation in varying facilities roles and responsibilities. He joined Touro in 2002 as Director of Facilities. In June of 2006 he was appointed to his current position of Vice President. He is a graduate of the University of Phoenix where he received a bachelor’s degree in business. 

Dale F. Mertens, Vice President of Physician Services and President of Crescent City Physicians, Inc., serves as a liaison with the medical staff to help facilitate physician access to hospital services, to develop programs that acknowledge the contributions of the medical staff, to facilitate cross referral relationships between primary care physicians and physician specialists, and to assist in physician recruitment and retention. Dale holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Louisiana Tech University, and attended graduate studies in Accounting and Economics at Louisiana State University.

Jeanette Ray, Vice President of Rehabilitation and Post Acute Services, Jeanette has more than 20 years experience in rehabilitation. She oversees the operations of the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs, the wound care center, Touro at Home and Woldenberg Village’s long term care, assisted living and independent living centers. Jeanette’s experience includes serving as Director of Case Management at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, as well as Rehabilitation Program Manager at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She has been a surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 2000 and served on the council at CARF that established the standards to accredit programs in medical rehabilitation case management. Jeanette is a Certified Case Manager and Licensed Professional Counselor. She received both a bachelor of science in Biology and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counselor Education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Florence André, Executive Director of the Touro Foundation, joined Touro as Executive Director of Touro Infirmary Foundation in Fall 2007, after serving as President and CEO of the LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation. Her 35-year history in the field of fundraising and philanthropy has included service as Director of University Advancement at the University of New Orleans, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Tulane University and president of her own national consulting firm. Her skills and leadership have been recognized by the AAMC Award of Excellence for “Coming Home,” a video highlighting LSUHSC’s Katrina recovery efforts, and the CASE National Gold Award for the “Satchmo to Marsalis” concert at UNO. The Association of Fundraising Professionals named her “New Orleans Fundraising Professional of the Year” in 1999. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Newcomb College and a Masters in Education from Tulane University. She is a former member of the National Board of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and she now serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Committee for a Better New Orleans/Metropolitan Leadership Council.