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William S Richardson, MD

Section Head, General Surgery; Director, Laparoscopic Surgery

Dr. Richardson earned his medical degree from Harvard University and completed his internship, residency and surgical research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He completed his fellowship in laparoscopic surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Richardson is board certified in surgery and has been on staff at Ochsner since 1997. His expertise includes laparoscopic, minimally invasive surgeries and bariatric surgery. He has a special research interest in laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery.

James B. Wooldridge, MD

Dr. Wooldridge earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics.  He completed his fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the University of California Irvine in California. Dr. Wooldridge is board certified in surgery and joined Ochsner in August 2009. His expertise includes laparoscopic, minimally invasive surgeries and bariatric surgery.

Amber Plaisance, PA

Amber Plaisance is a native of New Orleans, who earned her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in physician assistant studies and a Master of Medical Sciences from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ms. Plaisance is certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistant. She is a member of the AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) and LAPA (Louisiana Academy of the Physician Assistants.)

Jennifer Buquoi, RN, BSN, CNOR, CBN

Jennifer Buquoi is a native of New Orleans. She graduated from Louisiana State University School of Nursing where she earned a Baccalaureate of Science degree in Nursing. She began her nursing career at Ochsner in the operating room where she was first introduced to bariatric surgery. In 2005, she decided to expand her knowledge of bariatrics and moved in to the clinical setting. She became a Certified Bariatric Nurse in September 2008.  Jennifer is currently the Senior Bariatric Program Coordinator with the Surgical Weight Loss Program at Ochsner.

DeAnna Tillery, RN, BSN, CBN

DeAnna Tillery graduated from Our Lady of Holy Cross College where she earned a Baccalaureate of Science degree in Nursing. Originally a native of New Orleans, DeAnna began her nursing career in Boston at the Massachusettes Eye and Ear Infirmary. She moved back to New Orleans with her husband and has been employed at Ochsner since 2003. She became a Certified Bariatric Nurse in September 2008.  She is currently a Bariatric Program Coordinator with the Surgical Weight Loss Program at Ochsner.

Minia Guas, RN

Minia Guas graduated from New Orleans LPN school and has done most of her nursing in Gastroenterology.  She joined the Surgical Weight Loss program in February 2009.  She enjoys bike riding and dancing.

Laura Periou, RD, LDN

Laura Periou, a native of New Orleans, earned her degree in Dietetics from Louisiana State University.  She has experience working with children, adolescents and adults with a focus on meal planning, exercise and behavior modification.  Her interest in weight management has led her to a career working for Ochsner's Surgical Weight Loss Program, where she is responsible for educating and counseling patients before and after bariatric surgery.

Sue Breaux, RD, LDN

Sue received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.  She completed her dietetic internship at the University of California in Berkeley.  She has counseled and educated bariatric patients for nearly two years at a local area hospital.  Sue is a member of the American and Lousiana Dietetic Associations and served as past President of the New Orleans Dietetic Association.  In an effort to share the most current information with her patients, she has a membership with the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group.

Wanda Pizzolato, RN

Monique Litolff

Monique Litolff graduated from the Univeristy of New Orleans where she earned a Bachelor of General Studies Degree and a minor in Sociology.  She has been employed with Ochsner for seven years.  She began working in the Admit Office moving to more specialized areas such as Transplant and eventually joining the Surgical Weight Loss Program in March of 2009.  She is the program's financial coordinator.