Takeisha Charles Davis, MD, MPH
CEO & President, New Orleans East Hospital

Takeisha Charles Davis, MD, MPH, a transformational leader in healthcare, known nationally for her unwavering commitment to health equity, community wellness, and innovative public health initiatives. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Davis overcame extraordinary adversity early in life, fueling her determination to serve her community through medicine.

A summa cum laude graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, Dr. Davis earned her Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency as Chief Resident at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Choosing to amplify her impact beyond clinical practice, she pursued a Master of Public Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, subsequently dedicating over a decade to public health leadership roles within the Louisiana Department of Health. Her pivotal contributions included supervising medical care for over 20,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees and leading state-wide clinical and preventive health operations.

In 2016, Dr. Davis was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of New Orleans East Hospital (NOEH), distinguishing herself as Louisiana’s only African American female hospital CEO. Under her dynamic leadership, NOEH rapidly expanded services, significantly increased patient volume, and enhanced financial and operational performance. She spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, including the establishment of a Diabetes Center of Excellence in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and the National Diabetes and Research Institute.

Dr. Davis' innovative approach to healthcare delivery continued through the establishment of a Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic in 2023, restoring vital maternity services to New Orleans East for the first time since 2005. Her introduction of a Community Health Worker program bridged care gaps, reducing emergency visits by proactively addressing social determinants of health. Recognizing her exceptional leadership and contributions to equity, NOEH received national acclaim, including an "A" grade from the Lown Institute for outstanding social responsibility and designation as an American Heart Association Gold Plus Primary Stroke Center.

Nationally recognized as a thought leader, Dr. Davis served on Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Executive Committee and Centene Corporation’s National Health Disparities Task Force. Her impactful contributions to public health and equity were further celebrated in 2024, earning her a feature among Becker’s Hospital Review’s top hospital presidents and CEOs and induction into the Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans Business Hall of Fame in 2025.

As Board Chair of United Way of Southeast Louisiana beginning in 2022—the first African American woman in this prestigious role—Dr. Davis championed initiatives to address regional poverty, health disparities, and systemic inequities. Her deep-rooted community engagement extends through her ongoing mentorship and youth empowerment work with Achieving Awesome Things Through Inspired Actions (AATTIA) and Taylor Made Medical Consulting, LLC.

True to her vibrant New Orleans heritage, Dr. Davis proudly serves as President and Founding Parade Captain of the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale, celebrating and empowering women leaders. Despite her numerous professional accolades and community roles, her greatest joy remains raising her two sons, Waymon and Elie, who inspire her daily commitment to shaping a healthier, stronger, and more equitable community.