Leslie Capo’s Three Decades of Service Celebrated; New Procedures for Publicity Announced
Leslie Capo, LSU Health New Orleans’ Director of Information Services for nearly 35 years, retired earlier this year on January 2.
“Leslie was always one of the first people to arrive on campus each day, attending as many events as she could to get photographs and tell our story. She was also the last person to seek personal credit or attention, never needing to be in the story but rather just delivering it, ensuring our LSUHSC-NO faculty, staff, and students were the stars,” said Dr. Steve Nelson, Interim Chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans.
Dr. Nelson described her contributions to the Health Sciences Center as “both invaluable and transformative.” He said her active engagement with local and national media ensured that reporters called her first when they needed a health professional’s expert insight.
“Leslie’s diligent efforts have established our stellar reputation as a go-to resource for timely insights into scientific, clinical, education, and community health matters. She has ensured that otherwise untold stories about our great faculty, learners, and staff, doing great things, do, in fact, get told around the state, nation, and globe,” he added.
Capo served multiple chancellors since joining LSU Health Sciences Center in 1989. During her time as Director of Information Services, Capo strategically navigated the institution through significant changes in the information world, including the emergence of the internet, mobile phones, satellite weather tracking, digital communications, and social media. Capo held a leadership role in leading the campus through crises like active shooters, bomb threats, tornadoes, thunderstorms, public controversies, Hurricane Katrina and COVID.
“Leslie was always tireless and always maintained her integrity. Her leadership was always behind-the-scenes, but now as she enjoys her retirement, it is time for us shine a spotlight directly on her successful career, and to thank her for her over three decades of unwavering service to LSU Health New Orleans,” Nelson said.
The LSU Health Sciences Center has entered an agreement with Gambel Communications to handle publicity. Faculty, staff, and students who would like to request media coverage, press releases and similar types of publicity should email mediarelations@lsuhsc.edu. News outlets will also use this address to request segments with any LSUHSC employees.