By: Jayesh Madrecha, DO

As Thanksgiving approaches, I reflect on my journey as a family medicine physician at Ochsner Health. This period has been marked not only by professional growth but also by the profound personal milestone of becoming a father. The remarkable support and changes within Ochsner Health, especially in the expansion of paternity leave, have filled me with gratitude for both my career and newfound fatherhood.

Parenthood is a dream cherished by many, and my wife and I faced challenges on our path to becoming parents. After navigating infertility, our determination paid off when our son was born on April 20, 2023.

Ochsner Health offers a generous paternity leave for physicians, a crucial benefit that allowed me and others more time during this pivotal period.

This paternity leave became a lifeline for my family, especially given the challenges my wife faced during labor. The peace of mind provided by paternity leave allowed me to focus entirely on supporting my wife and bonding with our newborn. Being present for the initial moments of my son's life was incredibly rewarding, creating lasting memories that paternity leave made possible.

As a family medicine physician, I've always been passionate about providing comprehensive care to my patients. However, my personal experience with paternity leave has allowed me to speak more confidently about the importance of work-life balance. Having lived through these changes, I can now connect with my patients on a deeper level, sharing my own experiences and empathizing with their challenges. It's become a shared lived experience that strengthens the doctor-patient relationship. Being present for the initial moments of my son's life was incredibly rewarding, creating lasting memories that paternity leave made possible.

Ochsner Health operates as a group practice, and in my clinic, I work alongside seven other dedicated physicians. When I decided to take paternity leave, they came together as a team and covered my responsibilities. They ensured that all my patients received the care they needed, and this seamless transition made my return to work much smoother. The support and collaboration among my colleagues were truly remarkable.

In conclusion, as Thanksgiving approaches, I am profoundly thankful for Ochsner Health's paternity leave benefits. This allowed me to balance my career and fatherhood, fostering a workplace that values family and well-being. I appreciate the support from Ochsner Health, my colleagues, and my leader. Together, we create an environment where doctors can be there for our patients and loved ones during life's most precious moments.

Ochsner Health was recently named one of the 2023 America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents and Families by Newsweek and market-data research firm Plant-A Insights Group. A large-scale employer study based on over 224,000 company reviews aided in selecting 800 companies and organizations nationwide for the inaugural list.