Leadership Changes Announced
LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton and LSU System President Wade Rousse recently announced a change in direction, while expressing deep appreciation for former Chancellor Dr. Steve Nelson’s extraordinary service to LSU Health.
The leaders wrote in an email that, “This decision is not a reflection of Dr. Nelson’s performance or dedication – both of which have been exemplary – but rather a recognition that the institution’s next chapter is upon us.”
For nearly 40 years, Dr. Nelson dedicated his professional life to LSU and LSU Health New Orleans. His career reflects a rare combination of clinical excellence, academic achievement, and steady institutional leadership. Since joining the faculty in 1984, he rose through the academic ranks to become Professor of Medicine and the John H. Seabury Professor of Medicine, later serving as Vice Chair of Research, Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, President of the LSU Healthcare Network, and Chancellor of LSUHSC. In most of these roles, he consistently maintained significant National Institutes of Health funding, cared for critically ill patients, mentored hundreds of future healthcare professionals, and helped shape healthcare policy and delivery across Louisiana.
Dr. Nelson’s scholarly and professional accomplishments are equally distinguished. Over the course of his career, he has secured more than $45 million in extramural funding, authored or co-authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, and contributed multiple books and book chapters to his field. Most recently, he has overseen the successful completion of LSU Health’s 10-year reaccreditation review cycle, which we all know is a highly intensive 18-month process essential to maintaining the strength and reputation of the institution.
Dr. Nelson’s nearly four decades of service represent not only longevity, but deep personal investment in LSU Health New Orleans and the people it serves. His leadership has provided continuity, credibility, and care through periods of growth, challenge, and transition, and his impact will be felt here for years to come.
In a separate follow-up email, Chancellor Dalton shared that David Guzick, MD, PhD, and member of the National Academy of Medicine, will serve as the next Senior Vice Chancellor for LSU Health New Orleans. Dr. Guzick led LSU Health Shreveport for several years, where he was integral in leading the reaccreditation effort and expanding the research enterprise.
Dr. Guzick brings extensive experience in academic medicine, research leadership, and health sciences administration. He is a Johns Hopkins trained physician in obstetrics and gynecology specializing in reproductive endocrinology and was awarded an NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Research Award as Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Rochester. Before coming to Louisiana, Dr. Guzick was the Senior Vice President of Health Affairs at the University of Florida, President of UF Health, and Chair of the Board for UF Health Shands Hospital.
His experience and record of excellence are in keeping with the goal of becoming one of the Top 50 research universities in America and becoming AAU-eligible.