Ochsner Health appoints new CEO at flagship hospital

Ochsner Health has a new leader for the health system’s flagship location on Jefferson Highway.

Beth Walker

Beth Walker, CEO of Ochsner Baptist since 2019, has been promoted to the CEO of Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans. Walker becomes the first female CEO at OMC – New Orleans. In a press release, Ochsner Health also announced an extensive search process for Walker’s successor at Ochsner Baptist.

“During her tenure at Ochsner Baptist, Beth consistently demonstrated operational excellence, built high-performance teams, and improved the hospital’s standing – a testament to her leadership abilities and dedication to patients,” said Rob Wolterman, CEO for Ochsner South Shore Region. “We’re excited for her continued leadership with Ochsner Health.”

Throughout her 22-year career within the Ochsner Health system, Walker has served in numerous positions, including the vice president of operations for women’s and children’s services; chief operating officer of ambulatory clinics; and CEO at Ochsner Baptist. During her leadership tenure, Walker helped Ochsner Baptist maintain a best-in-class patient experience, including Leapfrog

Grade A ratings, U.S. News & World Report’s No. 1 hospital in the state, Newsweek’s “Best Maternity Hospital” award, and Birth Ready+ Designation.

The Ohio native moved to New Orleans in 2002, where she began her career in Ochsner Health’s administrative fellowship program held at OMC – New Orleans.

“I’m thrilled and honored to ‘come back home’ to OMC – New Orleans to serve as CEO to an incredible team,” said Walker. “It is my goal to be a leader who inspires trust, transparency, and courageous conversations across the organization. I pledge to lead with Ochsner’s values – integrity, compassion, excellence, inclusivity, and teamwork – in mind and heart, and to always keep patients as our first priority in everything we do.”

Ochsner Health is a nonprofit, delivering health care services at 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers throughout the Gulf South. In 2023, Ochsner Health physicians cared for more than 1.5 million people from every state and 65 countries. Ochsner’s workforce includes more than 38,000 team members and over 4,700 employed and affiliated physicians.