Last week, Gov.-elect Jeff Landry announced that Ralph Abraham, a former Republican congressman who ran for governor in 2019, will lead the Louisiana Department of Health. 

Abraham, a Republican from Alto in Richland Parish, is a primary care doctor who practices medicine in rural, northeast Louisiana. Also a former veterinarian, he served as congressman for Louisiana’s 5th District from 2015 to 2021. He also ran for governor in 2019. 

“It’s our largest and most consequential state agency,” Landry said of the health department, which accounts for almost half of the state budget. “The bottom line is it’s responsible for serving some of the most vulnerable people in the state. No one is more qualified than Ralph Abraham.”

“As a practicing physician, I look forward to ensuring our rural communities are well represented, the mental health crisis is properly addressed, and the Louisiana Health Department serves all of Louisiana’s health needs, no matter where you live,” Abraham said during the announcement.

CHRISTUS Coushatta leaders Brandon Hillman and Dr. Wyche Coleman attended the event to celebrate the appointment of Dr. Abraham and Undersecretary Michael Harrington.

“As a rural hospital in Louisiana, we are excited about the appointments of Dr. Abraham and Michael Harrington to the LDH.” Hillman, administrator of CHRISTUS Coushatta shared. “Both of these men have actually worked in healthcare in Louisiana and understand the needs of hospitals and patients in Louisiana to improve healthcare in our state.”

Harrington previously served as the administrator at CHRISTUS Coushatta from 2014-2016. He has over 25 years of service in for-profit and not-for-profit health systems, his passion is developing reliable processes that engage people, process, technology and culture to maintain and grow patient safety and margins. 

Hillman added, “I worked for Mr. Harrington during his time as administrator at Coushatta, I consider him my mentor and one of the smartest healthcare leaders I’ve ever been around.:”

The LDH leadership team includes:
Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health—Dr. Ralph Abraham
Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health —Dr. Pete Croughan
Undersecretary of the Louisiana Department of Health —Michael Harrington
Chief of Staff of the Louisiana Department of Health —Drew Maranto
Executive Counsel to the Louisiana Department of Health —Nick Gachassin, III