NEW ORLEANS – On Thursday, May 14, 2026, LSU Health New Orleans celebrated 879 graduates and distributed 890 health sciences degrees during its 153rd commencement ceremony at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. The ceremony recognized students from six professional health schools including the Schools of Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Graduate Studies, Medicine, Nursing and Public Health. Dr. David Guzick, LSU Health New Orleans Senior Vice Chancellor, presided over the ceremony, joined by LSU Board of Supervisors members Rico Alvendia, Rémy Starns and James Williams who conferred degrees.
“LSU Health New Orleans continues to shape the future of the medical field,” said Dr. David Guzick, senior vice chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans. “Our graduates are entering the workforce ready to lead in complex care environments and to improve health outcomes for patients and communities across Louisiana.”
The LSU School of Allied Health Professions awarded 180 degrees, the School of Dentistry 140, the School of Graduate Studies 14, the School of Medicine 195, the School of Nursing 313, and the School of Public Health 48. For the third year in a row, the School of Nursing represents the highest percentage of degrees awarded, accounting for approximately 35% of the graduating class.
The commencement address was delivered by New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno. The invocation was given by Nicholas Harris, PhD and the Benediction by Landon Boeneke, DDS. LSU Health New Orleans Academic & Leadership Excellence Award recipients were Emily Sabido, DPT, Eden Gallegos, PhD, Jared Brodtmann, MD, Stephen Douglass, BSN, Katherine Rose, MPH, Hassan Al-Hassani, DLT, Aubre Thibodeaux, DH, and Landon Boeneke, DDS.
“You are graduating at a time when the world needs more than credentials, it needs leadership. It needs people who believe in science and truth. It needs people who can innovate without losing their humanity. It needs people who understand that data can tell us what is happening, but compassion tells us why we must act. It needs people who will serve in hospitals, labs, clinics, classrooms, communities, and public agencies with integrity and courage,” said Mayor Helena Moreno in her address to the graduates. “Because health care is not only a profession, but also a public service.”
The graduating class represents 42 parishes, 33 states and 7 countries. Women comprise 74% of the class and men 26%. The youngest graduate is 21 while the oldest is 63. Among the graduates, 53 have previously been awarded a degree by LSU Health New Orleans.
The faculty recipients of the Allen Copping Excellence in Teaching Awards were Erica Cardosi, AuD, A.C. Liles, DDS, Charles Chappuis, MD, Kryshonda Alleyne, DNP, Daniel Harrington, ScD, and Gregory Casey, PhD,
A complete list of graduates and honor graduates, who authorize the release of their names, is available at lsuhsc.edu/graduates.
About LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana’s health care professionals. The state’s health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state’s only School of Dentistry, Louisiana’s only public School of Public Health and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment and cure disease.