Our COVID-19 Guidance Experts

Dr. Leron Finger was named Chief Quality Officer in 2018. In this capacity, Dr. Finger oversees the organization’s patient and team member safety & quality efforts and leads a team of infection prevention specialists at Children’s Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his pediatrics internship and pediatric critical care fellowship at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. Dr. Finger serves as the co-physician lead in the Children’s Hospital COVID19 Incident Command framework.

In 2009, Dr. Schieffelin joined the Tulane University School of Medicine faculty in the Departments of Medicine & Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor. He has a broad background in both adult and pediatric clinical infectious disease, immunology and virology, capacity building, and international clinical research. Dr. Schieffelin serves as the co-physician lead in the Children’s Hospital COVID-19 Incident Command framework.

Dr. Jackson joined Children’s Hospital in 2019 and oversees clinical operations at our growing number of pediatrics locations across the Greater New Orleans Area as well as our Virtual Care Program. Prior to her work at Children’s Hospital, she practiced pediatrics for 14 years. She also previously worked in a clinical operations role as Associate Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Ochsner Health System. A New Orleans native, Dr. Jackson earned her medical degree from LSU Health New Orleans and completed her pediatric residency training at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia where she served as Chief Resident.

Natasha Richardson’s extensive hospital experience includes oversight for hospital operations functions including laboratory testing, research, and emergency preparedness. Ms. Richardson, a native New Orleanian, holds a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Dr. Pasternak brings over 15 years of experience serving the youth of our communities. He completed his fellowship training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and is Board certified in both Adolescent Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Pasternak serves as the medical director for LSU Health New Orleans school-based health centers.

Tony Gonzales, MD
Medical Director, School Based Wellness Initiative
Service Line Chief, Orthopedics

Dr. Gonzales specializes in Pediatric Orthopedics at Children’s Hospital and serves as the physician lead for the organizations school-based wellness initiative. Dr. Gonzales also partners closely with the LCMC Health sports trainers who serve over 25 schools in Southeastern Louisiana.

Dr. Kerut is a primary care pediatrician with Children’s Hospital whose practice supports school-based virtual care and other school wellness initiatives. She is particularly passionate about serving foster care children.