Name: Brandon Kent, MD

Undergraduate: Baylor University 2017

Medical School: Louisiana State University Health Science Center - New Orleans

Interest in the field of PM&R: Interventional Procedures, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Regenerative Medicine.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? Football season, duck hunting season, Mardi Gras season and crawfish season.

What attracted you to this program? Everyone in the program seemed to be happy and genuinely interested in the field of PM&R. There is diverse exposure to all aspects of PM&R with great autonomy and early exposure to interventional procedures as well as inpatient training with abundant exposure to spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and polytraumas.

Fun Fact: I enjoy wood working, duck hunting, fishing and spending time with my wife and two daughters.

Name: Brandon Savage, MD (Administrative Chief Resident)

Education: Grand Valley State University (2015)  

Medical School: Wayne State University SOM (2021)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Interventional spine procedures, peripheral joint injections under ultrasound, spasticity management and EMGs.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? There are so many great festivals and events throughout the city that you'll never be bored. The culture is very unique and everywhere you go people are always trying to have a good time. It's hard not to have fun here.

What attracted you to this program? I am originally from Michigan and one of my goals for residency was to experience something different. I had never been to NOLA before matching here, however during my interview I felt that I connected with the residents and staff immediately. I also knew that the program was great at exposing its residents to hand on procedures. Now that I am here, it has been even better than expected. I enjoy spending time with my co-residents both at work and outside of work. My wife and I have also really enjoyed our time living in the city.

Name: Zachary Richard, MD (Academic Chief Resident)

Education: Louisiana State University (2017)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2021)

Interests in the field of PM&R: diagnostic ultrasound, spasticity management, electrodiagnostics, MSK, regenerative medicine, interventional sport and spine

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? New Orleans is an incredible international city with a deep, rich history. The city is incredibly unique in style and culture. The people are kind and welcoming so everyone can feel at home here. The parks offer massive green spaces to explore within the city. New Orleans is a city of arts and culture, and world-renowned entertainers routinely perform here.

What attracted you to this program? LSU provides great exposure to interventional spine procedures as well as amazing exposure to diagnostic and procedural ultrasound. The various and interesting cases seen during EMG rotations are invaluable training for the real world. Overall, I feel capable of pursuing all aspects of PM&R after residency. More importantly, my co-residents make the bad days great and the good days even better. I look forward to going to work most days just to hang out with my colleagues who I consider friends.

Fun Facts: I can solve a Rubik’s cube in less than 2 minutes.

Name: Alex Thibodeaux, MD

Education: Louisiana State University (2017)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2021)

Interests in the field of PM&R: MSK Ultrasound and Inpatient PM&R

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? Great food and music

What attracted you to this program? Excellent training in inpatient rehab with a wide array of pathology. Exposure to MSK ultrasound

Name: G. Tate Sibley, MD

Education: University of Louisiana at Monroe (2017)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine (2021)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Pediatrics, Spasticity

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? Tons of delicious food and restaurants

What attracted you to this program? The high volume of procedures in all areas of PM&R

Name: Ariean Loo-Hernandez, DO

Education: Louisiana State University (2016) 

Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, MS (2021)

Interests in the field of PM&R: I am very interested in interventional pain, sports medicine, EMG/NCS, spasticity management, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. PM&R is such a broad field that you can really make it what you want.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? New Orleans has such a unique culture. It is full of friendly people, amazing food, great festivals, and everyone has that Laissez les bons temps rouler attitude which makes it a great place to be.

What attracted you to this program? This program has many opportunities to become extremely competent in both interventional and ultrasound guided procedures along with having the ability to take care of very complex patients on the inpatient side of rehab. When looking into programs during medical school, the comradely amongst the residents at LSU was unmatched. Each resident got along so well and enjoyed working with each other just as much as hanging out outside of work.

Name: Michael A. Connors, MD

Education: University of Louisville (2016)

Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine (2022)

Interests in the field of PM&R: There are a ton of facets within PM&R that led me to pursue this specialty. Some specific interests of mine include sports medicine, MSK ultrasound, and interventional procedures.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? The atmosphere of New Orleans encapsulates a rich culture that I've found truly awesome. From the amazing food and steady stream of music, to the countless festivals and pro-sports teams, there is an endless amount to explore here.

What attracted you to this program? The vast experience of procedural training caught my eye, but the resident culture reeled me in. There is such a great display of affability and friendship here that I did not find elsewhere, and it has made for an incredible experience.

Name: Taylor Bosch, MD (Assistant Chief Resident)

Education: Bellarmine University (2017)

Medical School: University of Louisville (2022)

Interests in the field of PM&R: I am most interested in pediatric physiatry. Working with kids is simply the best! I also enjoy general PM&R. I'm excited to become more proficient with ultrasound and EMGs.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? There is always something to do! Always food to eat! The weather is also a major plus.

What attracted you to this program? The people are amazing. I could also tell that the program was dedicated to ensuring that each resident would be able to curate their rotations to their interests as much as possible.

Fun Facts: I tried 10 different King Cakes during my first Mardi Gras season

Name: Mason Kay, MD

Education: Centenary College (2018)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2022)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Pain, Sports

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? There is always some event happening every weekend, so you can always find something to do.

What attracted you to this program? Great faculty that truly enjoy teaching. 

Name: Zachary Poche', MD (Assistant Chief Resident)

Education: Nicholls State University (2018)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2022)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Inpatient Rehab, Stroke Rehab, General PM&R

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? I love the live music scene in New Orleans. Whether it's the numerous different live music bars in the French Quarter, the jazz bands playing on Frenchman Street, or just a local musician playing guitar in an oyster bar on Lake Pontchartrain, there are just so many places to listen to live music on the weekends.

What attracted you to this program? While I was interviewing with different residency programs, I quickly realized that the people in this program are second to none, both residents and faculty. The faculty truly invest in you as a resident and take the initiative to push you to accomplish your professional goals. The vibe between the residents makes even the longer and busier days fun. I truly look forward to hanging out with all of my co-residents every Friday during didactics, often followed by grabbing a drink together on Friday afternoons.

Fun Fact: I have 2 dogs: a 7-year-old German Shepherd mix named Zoe and a 1-year-old Golden Doodle named Teddy. I love taking them to different parks around the city!

Name: Amy Smith, MD, JD

Education: LSU, Baton Rouge (2007), LSU Law School, Baton Rouge (2011)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2022)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Sports Medicine, Pediatric Rehab, Ultrasound

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? The individual culture of each neighborhood and stumbling upon new restaurants, shops, art all the time. Also, the Southern hospitality and traditions of the Louisiana people make the region one-of-a-kind. 

What attracted you to this program? I liked knowing I would get plenty exposure to all aspects of PM&R at LSU. This program felt very balanced, offering both strong inpatient and outpatient rotations. I also liked the vast amount of experience LSU's residents acquire doing many procedures. The residents have real comradery and function together as a team.

Name: Chad Hobbs, DO, DPT

Education: Athens State University (2002); Belmont University (2009)

Medical School: William Carey University (2022)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Interventional Pain, Sports medicine

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? I love all the amazing food

What attracted you to this program? During my audition rotation I witness great collaboration between the residents and staff, which I felt would provide a great learning environment. The program also offers lots of opportunities for procedures which will help in skill development.

Name: Hannah Haddad, DO

Education: Louisiana State University (2018)

Medical School: Kansas City University (2023)

Interests in the field of PM&R: I’m interested in interventional pain medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, ultrasound guided procedures, and amputation rehabilitation. I am also very interested in integrative medicine and how we can utilize evidenced-based complementary medicine to enhance rehabilitation care.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? New Orleans is one-of-a-kind! The culture, the food, and the people are incredible and unlike any city I’ve been too. There is always some festival to attend and some reason to celebrate!

What attracted you to this program? I was initially drawn to LSU’s strong procedural exposure, but what I loved most was the family feel of the program and how close and supportive all the residents are.

Fun Fact: I am passionate about traveling and have visited 28 countries so far!

Name: Hannah Koster, MD

Education: LSU (2018)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2023)

Interests in the field of PM&R: I love how versatile PM&R is as a specialty! I am currently interested in both interventional pain and inpatient rehabilitation, but I am excited to learn more about all aspects of the field throughout my training.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? I was born & raised here and am so happy to call it home for my time in residency too! With its delicious food, southern hospitality, and vibrant culture, there is truly no other place like New Orleans. There is always something fun to do!

What attracted you to this program? Through my rotations as a medical student, I could easily appreciate that both the residents and faculty genuinely enjoyed being a part of this program. The strong camaraderie is evident. I was drawn to this program because I knew I would get great clinical experiences while being supported by colleagues throughout my training.

Fun Facts: I recently got married and have a very cute goldendoodle named Rambeaux! In our free time, my husband and I love to go offshore fishing and scuba diving. We most recently dove in Thailand on our honeymoon!

Name: Matthew Bennett, MD

Education: University of Southern Mississippi (2016)

Medical School: LSUHSC New Orleans (2023)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Interventional pain, sports medicine, and general inpatient rehab.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? What isn't to love about New Orleans? The best of the city can be summed up into the four seasons: Carnival season, crawfish season, festival season, and Saints football season.

What attracted you to this program? Engaged and easily approachable faculty who are eager to teach and mentor, excellent training in all areas of PM&R, diverse patient population, and resident camaraderie all led me to want to stay for residency.

Fun Fact: I'm a diehard Saints, Pelicans, and Southern Miss sports fan. See y'all at the Dome and the Blender!

Name: Kolby Kunefke, MD

Education: Louisiana Tech University (2019)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2023)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Everything from inpatient rehab to interventional procedures. I enjoy all aspects of PM&R and I’m looking forward to exploring more of the field.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? The people, the food, the unique architecture, and the culture. New Orleans is a big city with a small town feel. There's always something going on to keep entertained.

What attracted you to this program? When rotating as a medical student, I really appreciated the confidence that each of the residents displayed when working with both peers and patients. LSU PM&R gives its residents the autonomy needed to learn and the guidance necessary to amplify that growth. 

Fun Facts: I taught 3rd grade math after graduating college! We went through more crayons and construction paper than I ever thought possible.

Name: Jeffrey (Jeff) Mauras, MD

Education: LSU (2016)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine (2023)

Interests in the field of PM&R: I love that PM&R is a mix of medicine and hands-on procedures. I am hoping to model a career that allows me to practice both. I am also interested in interventional procedures and MSK.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? There is always something going on. Between the food, the festivals, and the proximity to world class hunting and fishing, the city will keep you busy year-round. My favorite thing is the people. Everyone wants to know where you are from, what you do, and how they can connect to you.

What attracted you to this program? This program allows early exposure to multiple areas of PM&R. LSU PM&R has a great balance of competition and comradery that makes it a great place to complete residency.

Fun Fact: I own a 25 year old stand up jet ski.

Name: Michael Brands, MD

Education: Louisiana State University (2019)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans (2023)

Interests in the field of PM&R: My clinical interests include interventional pain management, ultrasound-guided procedures, inpatient rehabilitation, and veteran healthcare.

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? The incredible food, unique culture, and friendly people truly make New Orleans one of a kind. In my spare time, I love cheering on the Saints in the Superdome!

What attracted you to this program? Among many other reasons, I chose LSU because of its extensive procedural exposure, outstanding faculty mentorship, and palpable resident camaraderie. While rotating as a student, it was apparent that LSU PM&R is committed to producing compassionate physicians who provide outstanding care to their patients.

Fun Fact: I have fractured my left clavicle twice.

Name: Andrew Amedee, MD

Education: Louisiana State University (2019)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans (2023)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Sports Medicine, General Inpatient Rehab, Interventional Pain

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? There's always something new to do! From trying new restaurants that seem to pop up weekly, going to various sporting events in the city like Saints or Pelicans games, and having your choice of festival or concert to go to, there is something happening every weekend that keeps you busy.

What attracted you to this program? Among other reasons, the early exposure to the multiple areas of PM&R and the vast opportunities for procedures throughout residency. However, it was the strong camaraderie between residents and how happy each resident was that stood out to me the most. 

Fun Fact: I once won a slam dunk contest at halftime of a New Orleans Hornets game. 

Name: John “Drew” Drouilhet, MD

Education: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2019)

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine (2024)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Sports Medicine, Pain Medicine, Inpatient Rehab

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? I love the food, the music, and the people. Having grown up in New Orleans, I always had a love for the city, but after being away for college I grew to appreciate the uniqueness of New Orleans that cannot really be found anywhere else in the United States. I am fortunate to have lots of family living in the city who get together regularly and I love being able to be close and spend time with them.

What attracted you to this program? This program really cares about its residents and structures its rotations to ensure that there are numerous opportunities to do procedures and learn about the topics that interests them. While rotating as a medical student, I noticed that the residents really seemed to get along well with each other and had fostered genuine friendships during their time in the program.

Fun Facts: I played rugby for four years in college, and my fiancée and I have a big fluffy dog named Sully after the movie Monsters, Inc.

Name: Michelle Li, DO

Education: University of California San Diego (2018)

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences (2024)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal ultrasound, inpatient rehab, and osteopathic manipulative medicine

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? There is so much to see, do, and eat!

What attracted you to this program? NOLA truly feels like a home away from home. The comradery amongst the co-residents and 1 on 1 opportunities with faculty make for an incredibly supportive community. The exposure to PM&R-related fields as early as intern year and high volume of procedures performed is unmatched and will prepare me to be the best physiatrist I can be.

Fun Fact: I love rock climbing, gaming, and playing pickle ball.

Name: Tedrick Mangassarian, DO

Education: University of California, Riverside (2017), Arkansas College of Health Education (2020)

Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (2024)

Interests in the field of PM&R: Interventional Pain and Spine

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? The diverse culinary cuisines, sports atmosphere and nightlife

What attracted you to this program? How pain-heavy the program is, the vast amount of procedures performed during residency and the strong family aspect of its current residents and alumni

Fun Facts: I had a full beard in 6th grade

Name: Chance Melancon, MD

Education: LSU (2020)

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans (2024)

Interests in the field of PM&R: General musculoskeletal medicine, ultrasound-guided injections, interventional pain, and sports medicine

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? As a local who grew up about 25 miles from NOLA, I can say there is truly no other city like it.  The food is incredible and there are always new local places to try.  Southern hospitality is a real thing which constantly gives me new opportunities to make friends and meet neighbors.  For a big city New Orleans is quite small and everyone seems to always know everyone else which makes getting things done around the city pretty easy.  Also, as someone who loves to fish, there aren’t many better fishing spots in the world better than those within a 2-hour drive of NOLA.

What attracted you to this program? As an LSU medical student I was able to rotate through the program as a 3rd and 4th year student, and I was truly able to see the great camaraderie between the residents and faculty.  The faculty and residents were very willing to teach and genuinely enjoyed being part of the program.  I also loved that LSU was a categorical program and exposed the interns to different aspects of PM&R during the first year unlike many other categorical programs.  I loved the amount of procedural exposure in the program beginning during intern year (even as a student for me), and I knew I would get ample amounts of hands-on training experience throughout my whole residency.

Fun Fact: I am an avid chef and am always cooking for large groups of people.  I hosted numerous crawfish boils during medical school, cooked pastalaya for LSU football tailgates, and more recently have been smoking brisket and ribs with the addition of a new smoker.  In my spare time I love to go fishing, and every summer I go on a large fishing trip on a shrimp boat with 20 people I grew up with where we take a shrimp boat 100 miles offshore for a few days.

Name: Jacob “Colby” Vinson, DO

Education: University of Arkansas (2016)

Medical School: Sam Houston State University - COM (2024)

Interests in the field of PM&R: SCI, TBI, Pain, Peds

What do you enjoy most about NOLA? The culture is so rich that it feels like you are in a different country at times. 

What attracted you to this program? The relationships between the other residents and faculty. 

Fun Fact: I just finished my 9^th summer out at Camp Sweeney, a summer camp for kids with type 1 diabetes.