Clinical Component

Navigating the Clinical Component 

The pediatric urology program specializes in treating children with a variety of urological conditions including kidney problems, urinary tract infections, bladder dysfunction, genital/scrotal abnormalities, and complex urogenital malformations. The pediatric urology Section resides within the Department of Urology which consists of 31 urologists, 3 pediatric urologists and a multidisciplinary care team that includes 12 Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). The role also encompasses advanced surgical procedures, including ovary reconstruction and more complex cases such as hypospadias, while benefiting from a strong NICU and PICU system. Pediatric patients are referred from 42 hospitals and 28 pediatric outpatient clinics, ensuring a constant flow of diverse cases and opportunities for outreach. 

Key responsibilities of this position include: 

As the Section Head of Pediatric Urology, you will have the unique opportunity to lead and shape the future of the pediatric urology program. This role entails developing the program within a thriving healthcare system, supported by over 200 general pediatricians who provide a strong referral base. You will provide both clinical care and advanced surgical services, splitting your time between two clinic days and three days in the operating room each week. The program already handles complex pediatric urological surgeries, including cases such as hypospadias and ovary reconstruction, and has a robust system for post-op admissions coordinated with the hospitalist team.

The call schedule is 1:3, transitioning to 1:4 with your new arrival eventually moving to 1:5 as the service expands. Pediatric urologists are expected to live within 30 minutes of Ochsner Children’s Hospital and adult urologists are available to assist with the call burden as needed.

In addition to your clinical duties, you will engage in academic and research activities, contributing to clinical trials, teaching, and mentoring within a residency program. As the department grows, you will play an instrumental role in hiring additional pediatric urologists to address patient backlogs, allowing you to mold and expand the program to meet the growing needs of the community. With the upcoming completion of a new children’s hospital, you will have the opportunity to further enhance pediatric urology services, including through outreach programs in nearby regions. This is a dynamic leadership role that promises both clinical and strategic influence in a rapidly expanding healthcare environment. 

Fellow Colleagues 

You will be working closely with a team of esteemed colleagues:

  • Dr. Frank Cerniglia – The current Section Head of Pediatric Urology, trained at LSU and Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital. He plans to scale back to a 4-day work week upon the hiring of the new Section Head.
  • Dr. Patience Wildenfels – A Baylor-trained pediatric urologist who has already performed over 450 cases this year. She is highly experienced in advanced pediatric urological procedures.
  • Dr. Caitlin Coco – Based in Baton Rouge, she supports the New Orleans division on a part-time basis. 
  • Jillian Pringle, NP – Works alongside the pediatric urology team, supporting both clinical and surgical practices. 

Program Development and Growth Opportunities
The pediatric urology service line has grown 40% in unique patients across the system, and with the upcoming Children’s Hospital opening, there will be even more opportunities for program development and outreach. The current program is performing an average of 5 complex cases per day. This expansion also includes developing outpatient elective surgery services in nearby regions like Hammond, Slidell, and St. Anthony.

Additionally, the system offers a robust academic environment, including opportunities for a potential adjunct appointment with MD Anderson and Xavier University of Louisiana, as well as involvement in a new medical school opening in 2027.

Research and Academic Environment
The health system emphasizes the importance of clinical research and education, providing robust support for those interested in investigator-initiated trials and clinical studies. You will have access to three Clinical Research Coordinators and Epic data-pulling tools to facilitate research. While there is no strict pressure to publish, physicians who wish to engage in academic pursuits will find opportunities to do so, including partnerships with Xavier and MD Anderson.

This role offers an incredible opportunity to make a significant impact on a rapidly expanding pediatric urology program, with access to state-of-the-art resources, collaborative colleagues, and strong leadership support.  

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