Timothy Pettitt, MD Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Co- Director, The Heart Center at Manning Family Children's
Dr. Timothy Pettitt attended medical school at the University of Medicine
and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed his surgery residency at Washington
University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and Barnes-Jewish
Hospital. Dr. Pettitt continued his training in St. Louis by completing
a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery as well as pediatric cardiothoracic
surgery. He joined the faculty at LSU Health and Manning Family Children's
in 1999 where he began his clinical practice. He now serves as Professor
of Surgery, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Co-Director of The Heart
Center, and Director of ECMO Services at Manning Family Children's.
He is board certified by the American Board of Congenital Heart Surgery
and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. His clinical interests include
the surgical management and postoperative care of the congenital heart
patient as well as adults with congenital heart disease. As an undergraduate,
Dr. Pettitt studied the violin at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. During
his Sophomore year, his father underwent aortic valve replacement which
was the nidus for him becoming a cardiac surgeon. It wasn't until his
cardiothoracic surgical training at Washington University School of Medicine
in St. Louis did his passion for congenital heart surgery develop. With
over 25 years experience, Dr. Pettitt remains committed to helping Louisiana
patients born with congenital heart disease from neonate to adult.
Russel Hirsch, MD Chief of Cardiology
Co- Director, The Heart Center at Manning Family Children's
Dr. Russel Hirsch, a native of South Africa, attended medical school at
the University of Cape Town, and then completed pediatric residency, chief
residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship training at St. Louis Children’s
Hospital and Washington University Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr.
Hirsch received additional training in interventional cardiology at the
University of Michigan.
Before joining Manning Family Children’s in January 2026 as Chief
of Cardiology and Co-Director of the Heart Center, Dr. Hirsch served as
a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital for 23 years, with a rank of full Professor since 2017. Since
2007, he served as Director of Cardiac Catheterization and the Pulmonary
Hypertension Service at Cincinnati Children’s, one of the top ranked
pediatric heart programs in the country. Dr. Hirsch has authored more
than 100 peer-reviewed papers and has given about 75 national or international
invited lectures and presentations. Additionally, Dr. Hirsch will serve
as Professor of Pediatrics and Division Head of Cardiology in the Department
of Pediatrics at LSU Health New Orleans.
His clinical interests, in addition to congenital heart disease and pulmonary
hypertension include catheterization and intervention, pulmonary vein
disease and chronic lung disease. Dr. Hirsch has also had long-standing
involvement in medical professionalism and peer review, and the impact
of disruptive behavior on clinical care and quality outcomes.
