Our Leadership
Learn More About our Leaders
Lou Fragoso, President and Chief Executive Officer
As President and CEO of Manning Family Children's, Fragoso is responsible for maintaining and strengthening Children’s position as the trusted leader in pediatric healthcare for Louisiana and the Gulf South. Fragoso manages a wide range of administrative and executive responsibilities and is responsible for day to day operations of Manning Family Children's. Prior to serving in this capacity, Fragoso worked as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for Manning Family Children's, first joining the team in 2019. Fragoso has been instrumental in the expansion of programs at Children’s, recruitment and retention of top talent, improved access and experience. He has dedicated his career to pediatrics, serving in leadership roles at both Lurie Children’s in Chicago and Texas Children’s Hospital prior to joining Manning Family Children’s. Fragoso completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Loyola University Chicago.
David Yu, MD, Chief Medical Officer - Surgery
Dr. Yu serves as Chief Medical Officer of Manning Family Children’s, bringing more than two decades of clinical, academic, and physician leadership experience to the role. He first came to New Orleans in 1994 to attend Tulane University, where he completed his undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency training. He later completed a fellowship in pediatric surgery at the University of Alabama School of Medicine before returning to Manning Family Children’s in 2013.
Since his return, Dr. Yu has played a central role in advancing pediatric surgical care and building high-impact multidisciplinary programs, including Trauma, Burn, and Wound Care. He has been instrumental in the growth of the hospital’s Level II Pediatric Trauma Center—the only program of its kind in the region—working collaboratively with leaders across LCMC Health and the broader community to expand access to specialized care.
A respected educator and mentor, Dr. Yu has held faculty appointments at both LSU Health Sciences Center and Tulane University School of Medicine, and has served in key training leadership roles, including Associate Program Director for LSU’s Surgery Residency and Program Director for Tulane’s Surgery Residency. His leadership extends across the medical staff at Manning Family Children’s, where he has served as Chief of Surgery and held multiple elected roles, including Vice President, President, and Past President of the Medical Staff.
Dr. Yu is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership style, deep institutional knowledge, and longstanding relationships across Louisiana’s academic and healthcare communities. His commitment to improving outcomes for all children—particularly the most vulnerable—continues to guide his work as Chief Medical Officer.
Dedrick Moulton, MD, Pediatrician-In-Chief - LSU Health New Orleans
Dedrick Moulton, MD, serves as the Head of the Department of Pediatrics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine and Pediatrician-in-Chief at Manning Family Children's. Dr. Moulton previously led the Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Section and Fellowship Program and served as Vice-Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in LSU Health New Orleans’ Department of Pediatrics. He was also the Gastroenterology Service Line Chief at Children's and Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program. Dr. Moulton earned his medical degree at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. He completed his pediatrics residency at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, SC and both clinical and research fellowships in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at St. Louis Children’s Hospital-Washington University, St. Louis, MO. He has received NIH and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation grants and industry contracts to conduct clinical trials, perform genetic analysis of children with inflammatory bowel disease, and to evaluate a multianalyte biomarker for distinguishing ulcerative colitis from Crohn’s disease in children.
Samir El-Dahr, MD, Pediatrician-In-Chief - Tulane University School of Medicine
Dr. Samir El-Dahr joined Manning Family Children’s executive team in January, 2019 as the second Pediatrician-In-Chief, representing Tulane University School of Medicine and its pediatric academic medical program. Dr. El-Dahr received his medical degree at Aleppo University School of Medicine in 1982. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at the Medical Center of Delaware in 1986, followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Nephrology at the University of Virginia. Dr. El-Dahr joined the Section of Pediatric Nephrology at Tulane in 1990 and is currently the Jane B. Aron Professor of Pediatrics and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine, and Section Chief of Pediatric Nephrology. Dr. El-Dahr is actively involved in laboratory research and has served on several study sections at the National Institute of Health, where he currently holds funding related to mechanisms of kidney development. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs. Dr. El-Dahr is an active clinician with an interest in pediatric hypertension and transplantation.
Jessica Cahill, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
Jessica Cahill, CPA serves as Chief Financial Officer for Manning Family Children's, overseeing all financial aspects of the hospital, including accounting, budget management, financial planning, reimbursement, and revenue cycle. Prior to assuming the role of CFO, Jessica served as Vice President, Finance and Analytics. A Miami native, she moved to New Orleans in 2000 and completed her Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at the University of New Orleans. She joined Children’s in 2013 as the Hospital’s Controller, after a career in public accounting where she managed audit engagements in the health care industry. Jessica works closely with Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis, Revenue Cycle, and Materials Management to oversee the financial aspects of the Hospital.
Mathew Timmons, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Mathew Timmons serves as Chief Operating Officer of Manning Family Children's, overseeing peri-operative services, the Heart Center, support services, outreach and business development, marketing and public relations, development, and hospital-based services including lab, radiology, and rehabilitation services. Before joining Children’s in January 2023, he served as Vice President at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX. Mathew earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health from Texas A&M University. He obtained his Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Lindsey Casey, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
In her role as CNO, Lindsey serves as the executive over all practice areas of nursing, will support the organization’s strategic priorities, and serves as executive leader over the hospital’s journey to achieve Magnet® Designation, the highest designation in nursing excellence. She also serves as the service line executive for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and Neonatology, two of Manning Family Children's signature programs. Lindsey previously served as Children’s Assistant Vice President, Hospital Operations, bringing her strong clinical background to lead hospital-based services, including lab, pharmacy, radiology and rehabilitation services. Born and raised in South Louisiana, and a wife and mother to three children, Lindsey began her career at Children's in 2001 as a Nurse Tech in the PICU. After graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from LSU Health New Orleans, she worked as a bedside caregiver for ten years before rising to the role of PICU Director. Lindsey served in this capacity for five years while simultaneously earning her Master's of Science in Nursing degree from Loyola University New Orleans. She then took on the role of Senior Director of Critical Care with oversight of the CICU, NICU, PICU, Emergency Department, ECMO program, Respiratory Therapy, and advanced practice providers. In 2018, Lindsey transitioned to her current role of Assistant Vice President, Hospital Operations which allows her to bring her clinical background to lead the hospital's support departments.
Scott Macicek, MD, Chief Experience Officer
Dr. Scott Macicek serves as Chief Experience Officer at Manning Family Children's and sees patients as a Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He attended medical school at LSU Health New Orleans and then completed residency training at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Macicek then completed fellowships in pediatric cardiology and pediatric electrophysiology. Before moving back to Louisiana, he remained on staff at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Macicek is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, and adult congenital heart disease. Additionally, he is certified as a pediatric electrophysiologist by the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners.