Ochsner Baton Rouge announced the appointment of Charles D. “Chuck” Daigle as regional CEO, Ochsner Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Daigle joins the Ochsner Baton Rouge team after serving as the CEO for Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, La., since its inception in 2018. Daigle will work collaboratively with Eric McMillen, who will continue overseeing hospital and surgical operations as CEO of Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge, Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove (surgical hospital), and Ochsner Medical Complex – Iberville (emergency department).
“Ochsner Health is invested in the health and future of Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. We’re honored to continue caring for the community and will continue expanding services and resources to build a healthier, stronger future for Louisiana,” said Warner L. Thomas, president and CEO, Ochsner Health. “It’s been incredible to witness the transformation of healthcare in North Louisiana under Chuck Daigle’s leadership and we know his enhanced collaboration with our regional leadership team will deliver more critical services, create economic opportunity and job growth, and enhance the use of health innovation and technology across these communities.”
In this new role, Daigle will oversee Ochsner’s continued commitment to improving healthcare access, expanding services and enhancing the patient experience across greater Baton Rouge. He will also oversee and support Ochsner CHRISTUS Health Centers in Lake Charles by connecting these health centers with Ochsner resources from Baton Rouge. Daigle will continue to lead Ochsner LSU Health as CEO until a leadership transition is announced.
As CEO, he worked in partnership with LSU Health Shreveport to recruit 280 new physicians, growing the team to include more than 500 providers in 70 specialties. Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport has also added more than 800 employees, reopened St. Mary Medical Center with a dedicated women’s and children’s center, and expanded services for behavioral health with the opening of Louisiana Behavioral Health in partnership with Oceans Healthcare.
“I am excited to return home and continue the great work being done to expand access to care across greater Baton Rouge and Lake Charles,” said Daigle. “As COVID-19 has illustrated, improving access to care and growing to serve and care for our communities has never been more critical than it is now. Our team remains committed to addressing the most important healthcare needs in the communities we serve and investing in wellness, screenings, and prevention to keep people healthy.”
Daigle holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana State University.