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Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD

Accepting New Patients

(Richard Zweifler, MD)

(41 Ratings)

Specializes in: Psychiatry & Neurology, General Practice and Vascular Neurology

Tulane University School of Medicine - GME (1990)

Professional interests include: stroke, headache

1514 Jefferson Highway #7
New Orleans, LA 70121

(504) 842-3980

Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD is a null in New Orleans, LA specializing in psychiatry & neurology, general practice and vascular neurology. He graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine - GME in 1990 and has 36 years of experience. Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD is affiliated with Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner Health.

Office Locations

1514 Jefferson Highway #7
New Orleans, LA 70121

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1221 S Clearview Parkway
Jefferson, LA 70121

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Some issues Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD can help you with:

Headache

Headaches are dull or sharp pains that occur in regions of the head and face. Headaches occur in many different forms and vary in location, severity, and duration. They are not necessarily a sign of an underlying illness and often resolve on their own. However, headaches can present significant day-to-day discomfort. The most common forms of headaches include:

Migraines: one of the most prevalent types of headache, migraines typically last from two hours to three days, causing a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Nausea, sensitivity to bright lights, fatigue, and blurred vision all may accompany migraines. While migraines have no known cure, medications and lifestyle modifications may ease symptoms. Avoiding behaviors that may trigger migraines such as lack of sleep or loud, repetitive noises can improve headaches.
Tension headaches: also known as stress headaches, these headaches are characterized by pain in the upper top part of the head and behind the eyes. Tension headaches are common and have no exact cause; however, certain practices may increase the likelihood of developing them. For example, wearing one's hair up in a tight hairstyle or wearing a restrictive hat can put pressure on the scalp, leading to a tension headache. Other causes of tension headaches may include alcohol or nicotine use, caffeine, teeth grinding, stress, overexertion, and eye strain. Some people find posture improvement, alternating sleeping positions, and neck exercise can alleviate tension headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may also reduce tension-headache pain.
Sinus headaches: this type of headache causes pain in the sinuses, but may progress to pain and pressure in the eyes, forehead, and cheeks. These headaches are often accompanied by nasal congestion, fatigue, and ache in the upper teeth and may or may not be caused by sinus infections or sinusitis (sinus inflammation). Some sinus headaches are allergic headaches, which arise from allergic triggers such as seasonal allergies (pollen allergies) or hay fever, causing sinus pressure and facial pain. Other symptoms of allergic headaches include nasal congestion, irritated or watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Allergic headaches may be treated with antihistamine medications such as cetirizine (Zyrtec). Allergic headaches are common during pollen season, which is usually around springtime.
Cluster headaches: these headaches occur suddenly and cause stabbing, sharp pain from one eye down to the one side of the neck. They are often referred to as the most aggravating and painful type of headaches. Other symptoms of cluster headaches include nasal congestion, droopy eyelid, and enlarged pupil on one side of the face. In the past, it was widely believed that cluster headaches were caused by a bevy or "cluster" of multiple types of headaches, such as a combination of an allergic headache and a tension headache. Medical experts now recognize that cluster headaches are a separate and unique form of headache. Cluster headaches last for around twenty minutes to two hours. They may recur throughout the period of a day or several weeks, but usually dissipate within a month. Treatment for cluster headaches includes over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Prescription Prednisone can help with swelling and Verapamil may reduce pain by relaxing the blood vessels.

Living with headaches is challenging; headaches can prevent people from fully enjoying life. Medical treatment and care in avoiding certain triggers can help those with headaches begin to feel normal once again.

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“"The Ochsner Neuroscience Institute is certainly proud to be recognized as a national leader in neurological and neurosurgical care," said Richard Zweifler, MD, chair of neurology, Ochsner Health.”—"Ochsner Ranked #1 Hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report for the 10th Consecutive Year", Bossier Press-Tribune, July 2021

“Dr. Richard Zweifler, Sentara's chief of neurology, said one lesson from the study is that aggressive medical management, which included both blood-thinning and cholesterol-control medications, is...”—"Stents less effective than medication for stroke patients", The Virginian-Pilot, September 2011

“"They're at very high risk of a second stroke," says Richard Zweifler, head of neurology at Sentara.”—"High-risk stroke patients do better without stents", The Virginian-Pilot, September 2011

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2012 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	185
hospital care	61
inpatient care	61

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2013 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	238
hospital care	70
inpatient care	70

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	92
Female	119

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	140
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	77
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	28
Less than 65	44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	52
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	41
Dementia	23
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	167
hospital care	261
inpatient care	261

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	127
Female	174

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	171
Black	109
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	94
From 75 to 84	79
85 and over	40
Less than 65	88

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	59
Ischemic Heart Disease	47
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	44
Dementia	26
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	125
hospital care	452
inpatient care	452

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	330
Female	434

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	462
Black	258
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	304
From 75 to 84	190
85 and over	116
Less than 65	154

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	75
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	41
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	44
Dementia	22
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2016 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	87
hospital care	285
inpatient care	285

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	124
Female	161

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	190
Black	76
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	107
From 75 to 84	89
85 and over	46
Less than 65	43

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	75
Ischemic Heart Disease	59
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	56
Asthma	26
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	50
Dementia	26
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2017 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	34
hospital care	179
inpatient care	179

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	110

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	112
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	75
From 75 to 84	51
85 and over	32
Less than 65	40

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	75
Ischemic Heart Disease	54
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	44
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	48
Dementia	23
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2018 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	48
hospital care	270
inpatient care	270

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	89
Female	106

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	126
Black	56
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	75
From 75 to 84	51
85 and over	38
Less than 65	31

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	75
Ischemic Heart Disease	58
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	52
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	42
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	45
Dementia	32
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2019 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	57
hospital care	179
inpatient care	179

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	51
Female	84

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	90
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	19
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	68
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	55
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	41
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	41
Dementia	16
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2020 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	55
hospital care	141
inpatient care	141

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	89
Female	98

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	122
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	73
From 75 to 84	48
85 and over	23
Less than 65	43

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	67
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	42
Dementia	22
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2021 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	61
hospital care	181
inpatient care	181

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	98

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	117
Black	52
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	77
From 75 to 84	68
85 and over	22
Less than 65	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	69
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	55
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	47
Dementia	29
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA during 2022 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	55
hospital care	91
inpatient care	91

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Male	62
Female	89

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	107
Black	28
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	60
From 75 to 84	54
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	70
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	29
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	34
Dementia	19
Cancer	21

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated as a null in New Orleans, LA were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	101
hospital care	197
inpatient care	197

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD.

**Gender**
Female	133
Male	103

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	52
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	148
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	33
75 to 84	66
Less than 65	43
65 to 74	90

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	62
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	39
Atrial Fibrillation	20
Dementia	21
Cancer	11

Education & Training

Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine - GME in 1990. He completed residency at University of California-San Diego. He is certified by the Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Vascular Neurology and has a state license in Louisiana.

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine - GME (1990)

Residency: University of California-San Diego (1994)

Board Certification: Certifications: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Vascular Neurology

Licensed In: Louisiana

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Slidell Memorial Hospital

Ochsner Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 41 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in New Orleans, LA.

4.91

Overall Rating

(41 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$4,651 Pradaxa $544	Gilotrif $3	$4,105
GE Healthcare	$2,583 $2,583
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$2,068 Betaseron $53	$2,015
Medtronic, Inc.	$934 SOLITAIRE X $158	LINQ II $25	$750
UCB, Inc.	$166 Vimpat $154	Briviact $12
Other	$1,449 Aimovig $160	VNS Therapy $140	BOTOX COSMETIC $91	TROKENDI XR $78	ACTHAR $71	Other $909

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$4,576
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$3,268
Food and Beverage	$3,154
Consulting Fee	$750
Education	$104

Research Payments

Dr. Richard M. Zweifler, MD has received 130 research payments totaling $482,399.

Biography

Dr. Richard Zweifler's areas of specialization are general practice and vascular neurology. He has a special interest in stroke and headache. Dr. Zweifler has received a 5.0 out of 5 star rating by his patients. After completing medical school at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine and Tulane University School of Medicine, he performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He is affiliated with Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner Medical Center. He has an open panel in New Orleans, LA according to Yext.