HJNO May/Jun 2025

52 MAY / JUN 2025 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS MEDICAL SOCIETY COLUMN MEDICAL SOCIETY The 2025 Celebration of Medicine, joint- ly hosted by the Medical Association of Southeast Louisiana (MASELA), Jefferson Parish Medical Society (JPMS), and Orle- ans Parish Medical Society (OPMS), was a resounding success and a powerful tribute to the enduring spirit of the medical pro- fession. Held at the Metairie Country Club, the event brought together physicians, medical community leaders, and support- ers for an evening dedicated to honoring past achievements, celebrating current leadership, and inspiring the next genera- tion of medical professionals. This year’s celebration marked a sig- nificant milestone in the collaborative vi- sion of these three medical societies. The gathering served to not only recognize distinguished careers and tireless advoca- cy, but also to reflect on the challenges and triumphs that continue to shape medicine in Southeast Louisiana. From heartfelt in- stallations of new leadership to solemn ac- knowledgments of service and resilience, the evening carried an unmistakable sense of unity and purpose. Celebrating Service and Leadership The evening opened with the recogni- tion of past presidents of JPMS, OPMS, and MASELA, whose leadership has laid the foundation for current efforts to strengthen the profession and advocate for physicians across the region. Gratitude was also extended to the event’s generous sponsors, whose support enabled a truly memorable evening. Transitioning Leadership A central focus of the evening was the installation of the 2025 presidents for Recognizing Emergency Responders The evening also included a solemn acknowledgment of the heroic medical and emergency responses to the Jan. 1 tragedy in the French Quarter. Units from the Louisiana State Police, New Orleans EMS, NOFD Station 29, NOPD District 8, and numerous local hospitals — including East Jefferson General Hospital, Ochsner Baptist, Ochsner Medical Center, Touro Infirmary, Tulane Medical Center, and University Medical Center — were recognized for their professionalism, courage, and swift action in the face of crisis. Honoring Excellence: MASELA’s 2025 Award Recipients Four prestigious awards were conferred by MASELA, honoring physicians whose contributions have profoundly benefit- ted patients, colleagues, and the broader healthcare system. • Public Health Leadership Award: Leonardo Seoane, MD, was honored for his transformative contributions to medical education and health equity. As executive vice president and chief academic officer of Ochs- ner Health and founding dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, Seoane had worked to increase diver- sity in the physician workforce and advance care for underserved com- munities. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplified his commitment to responsive, inclusive public health. • Physician Well-Being Champion: Harold York, MD, received recogni- tion for over five decades of pediatric JPMS, OPMS, and MASELA. Harold Mill- er, MD, introduced and installed Lindsay York, MD, as JPMS president, recognizing her dedication to advocacy and organiza- tional growth. York shared her vision of JPMS as both a sounding board and voice for physicians at the state level and hon- ored Miller with an award for his service. Josh Lowentritt, MD, followed by in- stalling John Cole, MD, as OPMS President. Cole acknowledged the challenges facing the medical community and emphasized collaboration with JPMS and MASELA. He also presented Lowentritt with a com- memorative award in appreciation of his leadership. Mark Rice, MD, concluding his term as MASELA president, reflected on the or- ganization’s progress in the post-COVID era and formally installed Bill Daly, MD, as the 2025 president. Daly expressed his commitment to MASELA’s inclusive, for- ward-moving mission and invited all phy- sicians to take part in shaping the profes- sion’s future. Honoring Half a Century of Care In a moving segment led by Christine Maristany, president of the Orleans Med- ical Society Alliance, the celebration hon- ored local physicians who graduated from medical school in 1975. These clinicians, each with over five decades of service, were presented with certificates of merit in recognition of their lifetime commit- ment to patient care. Their names were displayed prominently, and the audience rose in appreciation of the incredible leg- acy these physicians have forged through decades of changing clinical landscapes. Honoring Legacy, Leadership, Valor, and the Future of Medicine: Reflections on the 2025 Celebration of Medicine