Our Leadership

Meet the People in Charge of Our New Orleans Hospital

University Medical Center New Orleans has become an important part of our community. Offering outstanding care, medical training, and advancements in research, our hospital continues to improve the lives of countless people throughout the area. Learn more about our leadership by reading below.

Tom Patrias, President and Chief Executive OfficerTom Patrias​

Tom Patrias is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at University Medical Center (UMC). Tom brings a wealth of experience and leadership, most recently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of UMC. During his time as COO, Tom has driven meaningful improvements, boosting operational performance, growing service lines, and securing capital investments. He prioritizes safety through the UMC Safe program and has been instrumental in building team culture. He understands the importance of academic medicine and has strengthened partnerships with LSU Health and Tulane School of Medicine. Prior to UMC, he served as CEO of Tulane Medical Center (TMC) and Lakeside Hospital since 2021. During his time at TMC, the organization achieved significant accomplishments, including being named a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital by IBM Watson Health, a World's Best Hospital by Newsweek, and recognition as a High-Performing Hospital by U.S. News & World Report for the treatment of COPD and heart failure. Before his work at Tulane, Tom led Bayfront Health Spring Hill in the Tampa Bay area and held leadership positions at Community Health Systems in Georgia and Florida. Tom holds an engineering degree from Tulane University as well as an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Jeffrey ElderJeffrey Elder, MD, Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Jeffrey Elder serves as the Chief Medical Officer at University Medical Center New Orleans (UMC). Dr. Elder has been a member of the LCMC Health family since 2009 and is also Associate Chief Medical Officer for Emergency Management for LCMC Health and Emergency Physician for UMC. He also serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in the LSU Health Section of Emergency Medicine and Co-Director of the Division of EMS and Disaster Medicine. Dr. Elder is board certified in Emergency Medicine with subspecialty board certification in Emergency Medical Services by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

While serving as UMC’s CMO, Dr. Elder will maintain his current positions with LCMC Health and UMC. He is greatly respected as a dedicated leader and experienced physician in the New Orleans community, at LCMC Health and at UMC. Dr. Elder is committed to leading UMC in delivering exceptional care and fostering collaboration with our academic partners to ensure our hospital remains a center of excellence.

CJ Marbley, RN, Chief Nursing Officer

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CJ Marbley serves as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at University Medical Center (CNO) as well as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and CNO at New Orleans East Hospital (NOEH). Prior to being the CNO at UMC, CJ served as the Vice President of Nursing Operations at the hospital. He brings a passion for service to his approach to nursing and operations. In his dual leadership role with UMC and NOEH, he works to ensure our community receives the right care in the right place. Before joining NOEH, CJ served in various administrative and clinical capacities within LCMC Health and the Heart Hospital. Prior to moving to New Orleans, CJ spent 23 years working at hospitals in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore area, serving in multiple roles including ED trauma nurse, ED director, ICU/CCU director, and perioperative senior director. CJ received his undergraduate degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and his MBA degree from Western Governors University.

Christine Williams Bond, Chief Financial OfficerChristine Williams Bond

Christine Williams Bond previously worked at Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta, GA, in the role of Assistant Chief Financial Officer. She previously worked as Controller at Emory Johns Creek Hospital in Johns Creek, GA, and Emory Dunwoody Hospital in Atlanta, GA. A native New Orleanian, Chris received both a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management from the University of New Orleans.

Charlotte Parent, RN, MHCM, Vice President of Business DevelopmentCharlotte Parent

Charlotte Parent, RN, MHCM, has more than 30 years of experience in health care, most recently serving as Assistant Vice President of Community Affairs and Network Development at LCMC Health. From 2014-2016, she served as Director of the New Orleans Health Department. While in her role as New Orleans Health Director, she was instrumental in the development and implementation of the city’s smoking ban and initiatives related to homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Early in her career, she was the director of Maternal and Child Services at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, where she developed and oversaw services for expectant mothers and their families. A native New Orleanian, Charlotte received her Diploma of Nursing at the Charity Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Loyola University and a master's degree in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans.

Bernard Flores, Vice President of Operations

Bernard Flores, has a professional background in leading and building dynamic teams and cultivating successful company culture. Before joining the University Medical Center team, Bernard held the role of Director of Facilities Support Services at Houston Methodist Baytown, where he developed new processes that included facility infrastructure assessment, patient experience improvement initiatives, staff and contractor safety training including shutdown protocols. Bernard has received his Master of Business Administration with a Project Management Concentration and is a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager.