Obstetrics and Gynecology care at Ochsner Health has been ranked among the best in the United States, coming in at No. 13 on U.S. News & World Report’s (USNWR) 2025-2026 Best Hospitals list. This major milestone is led by the dedicated teams at Ochsner Baptist and Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank and marks a significant achievement in women’s healthcare for the health system and for Louisiana.
The prestigious women’s care ranking comes alongside another remarkable accolade: For the 14th consecutive year, Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans, inclusive of Ochsner Baptist, Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank and Ochsner Hospital for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, has been named the Best Hospital in the New Orleans metro area and the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana.
Out of more than 4,400 hospitals that were evaluated, 13% earned a Best Hospitals designation. Ochsner Medical Center was recognized as High Performing in 21 of 22 rated procedures and conditions, a feat achieved by fewer than 1% of hospitals nationwide. Rankings are based on metrics such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, patient outcomes, preventable complications and nursing care.
“It is an honor to see our team recognized for all the work that is done daily to provide the highest quality care and the best possible outcomes to the patients we serve,” said Joseph R. Biggio, MD, MS, system chair and service line leader for women’s services and system chair, maternal fetal medicine, Ochsner Health. “It is humbling to see that this places us as one of the leading facilities in the country for obstetrics and gynecology.”
Dr. Biggio said the system’s leadership in women’s healthcare is possible because of a comprehensive team that includes physicians, advanced practice providers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, midwives, nurses and more. In addition, specialists in areas such as maternal fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology and urogynecology are on hand to provide advanced care when needed.
“This recognition is a reflection of how hard we work to do the right thing when it comes to taking care of patients. Ochsner has been patient-first for a very long time and continues to be. Everyone here understands that you need to have good quality and good outcomes to differentiate yourself,” said Jacob M. Estes, MD, system vice chair for women’s services and section head, gynecologic oncology, Ochsner Health. “For us, this recognition also provides motivation to do even better.”
Dr. Estes said some of the biggest medical advances in women’s care have been in oncology. His department treats various types of gynecological cancer, including uterine, endometrial, ovarian, cervix and vulvar.
“With advances like tumor evaluation and genetic testing, we can personalize a patient’s cancer care,” he said. “Clinical trials have helped us determine which therapies a person’s cancer may respond to best and who benefits the most from novel therapeutics. We perform genetic testing on most patients and screen any tumor we remove for genetic disorders. That allows us to tailor treatments and identify any family members who may need their cancer risk evaluated.”
At the core of Ochsner’s rise in the national rankings are several innovative programs that demonstrate its commitment to high quality, patient-centered women’s healthcare.
The Pelvic Floor Center at Ochsner specializes in treating a wide array of pelvic health disorders with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and treatment options. Patients benefit from personalized care plans led by fellowship-trained surgeons, physical therapists, and other highly trained clinicians.
“The center incorporates physicians and other providers from colorectal surgery, urogynecology, urology and gastroenterology, as well as other specialists such as pelvic floor therapists,” said Leise R. Knoepp, MD, section head, urogynecology, Ochsner Health. “We have a top-notch cadre of talented specialists dedicated to helping patients with pelvic floor disorders who provide world-class care.”
Dr. Knoepp said that providing collaborative care for women is vital, since many patients have conditions that affect different parts of the body. A team approach allows better outcomes for such conditions as urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ and rectal prolapse, fistulas and more. Recently, Ochsner has established a clinic where urogynecologists and colorectal physicians can see patients in tandem, which allows patients to move toward their goals much more efficiently and effectively, since patients often need both types of care.
“The work we do is very focused on a person’s quality of life, which is so impactful on someone’s general satisfaction,” she said. “These collaborations continue to expand, and patients will see multiple specialists for coordinated visits to address their needs conveniently and efficiently. When I decided to pursue women’s health, and specifically urogynecology, it was because I wanted to provide care and improve outcomes for women who are often the primary caretakers for everyone else. At the end of the day, women need someone to care for them, too.”
Meanwhile, Ochsner’s Menopause and Women’s Wellness Center in New Orleans provides compassionate support and cutting-edge treatments for women navigating perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, with a special focus on balancing hormones through every stage of aging.
“This center provides services such as counseling, cardiovascular care and sexual health care. It’s about addressing all of the changes that come along with menopause,” said Jennifer Brunet, MD, site lead for obstetrics and gynecology, Ochsner Baptist. “We’ve developed a place where multidisciplinary care is convenient and efficient. We recognize that menopause is not just a moment in time, but rather a transition in a woman’s life. Women need coordinated and dedicated support during this time in their life. The work of our teams to recognize its significance has been healing for our patients.”
Women in their reproductive years, regardless of whether or not they have children, can count on Ochsner’s commitment to excellence. The PCOS clinic at Ochsner is a leading choice for women seeking care for polycystic ovary syndrome, which can affect up to one in 10 women and lead to issues such as weight changes, acne and irregular periods. The clinic provides service from specialists in endocrinology, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology and reproductive health, as well as nutrition and mental health care. Dr. Brunet said Ochsner hopes to expand the clinic in the future.
“You have to empathize and realize that women just want an understanding of what is happening in their bodies. At Ochsner, we do a very good job of listening, validating, offering treatment options and letting women be part of their own care.”
When doctors determine that a woman is experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, or that the baby may need extensive care after birth, maternal fetal medicine physicians and the Fetal Diagnosis and Care program at Ochsner offers expert care for a range of maternal, obstetric and fetal complications.
Utilizing the latest ultrasound technology and procedures, a skilled team of maternal fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists and pediatric subspecialists ensures precise diagnosis and treatment. And, with a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, Ochsner is a leader in fetal care, dedicated to optimizing pregnancy outcomes.
As part of its commitment to continuing this high level of care, Ochsner has Louisiana’s only maternal fetal medicine fellowship, a three-year training program that provides advanced training for OB/GYN physicians in addressing potential pregnancy complications, advanced ultrasound techniques and prenatal genetics.
“In Louisiana, maternal and neonatal outcomes need improvement. The only way to begin to improve these outcomes is to have physicians who understand those issues,” Dr. Biggio said. “This program allows us to train the next generation of maternal fetal medicine physicians for Louisiana so we can help build a workforce and address those critical needs.”
The personalized, patient-centered care women receive at Ochsner is increasingly delivered with the most innovative and technology-forward methods. Using minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques for most gynecological procedures means shorter recovery times and a reduced risk of complications. Remote monitoring tools such as Connected MOM, a Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuff that sends readings from pregnant patients directly to their medical record for physician review, allow for better communication with fewer appointments. And virtual tools allow patients to have telehealth visits and for doctors to quickly consult with one another.
“We know that healthcare is continuing to evolve, and we constantly look at ways to improve,” Dr. Biggio said. “We are exploring patient care in other settings. People are naturally much more comfortable at home. If we can develop ways to provide care for patients where they want it, that allows us to provide even better care.”
The USNWR national ranking is a significant moment of pride for the Ochsner teams, and the momentum continues. Dr. Biggio said he and his colleagues are exploring how to address other areas of need in the region, such as treatment of complex benign pelvic disease and endometriosis. There is optimism that the specialized clinics and centers that have quickly become crucial to women’s care will eventually expand. But, wherever the future leads, treatment will be offered with the same expertise and compassion that Ochsner patients have come to expect.
“We have great people and great minds at Ochsner. We’re always meeting to discuss how we can continue to deliver high quality care more efficiently,” Dr. Brunet said. “You always have to keep quality first. We will build on this USNWR recognition and use it to catapult us to the next level. I also hope it strengthens the trust that patients have in us, to know that we have been recognized on a national level for our quality and the work we do with patients.”
Learn more about Ochsner’s U.S. News & World Report rankings:
https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-health-hospitals-named-louisianas-best/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExR3NlaEVoWVhzR1h3dmp6ZwEexPZ4LQ3u97FAN6SO4bTYGthJomrEaQ3Ae2Fs_ZcRnVoFLVTev13Y6rIFN0c_aem_WVJVx44ivIIVw5ApIlY3FQ