LERN is governed by a 29-member Board that represents a diverse set of stakeholders. LERN’s enabling legislation specifies a stakeholder organization to nominate qualified candidates (at least four) for each LERN Board seat. Nominees are submitted to the Governor for consideration and appointment to serve a three-year term.

Executive Committee Members

Deiadra J. Garrett, MD
Chairman of the Board
Pediatric Surgeon
Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital
Nominating Entity: Louisiana State Medical Society

John D. Jones, MD
Vice-Chairman of the Board
Emergency Department Medical Director
Baton Rouge General Medical Center – Bluebonnet
Nominating Entity: Verified Burn Center

Karen O. Wyble, DNP, MSN, MHA, MBA, RN
Immediate Past-Chairman of the Board
Vice President of Rural Health and Workforce Development
Ochsner Lafayette General Health System
Nominating Entity: Rural Hospital Coalition 

William Freeman, MD
Treasurer of the Board
Medical Director
Professional Emergency Physician Associates (PEPA)
Nominating Entity: Louisiana American College of Emergency Physicians

John P. Hunt, MD, MPH, FACS
Executive Committee Member
Professor of Surgery
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – New Orleans
Nominating Entity: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – New Orleans

Joseph Kanter, MD
Executive Committee Member
State Health Officer
Louisiana Department of Health
Nominating Entity: Louisiana Department of Health

Porter Taylor, IV
Executive Committee Member
Director of Operations
Acadian Ambulance  & Air Med Services, LA & MS
Nominating Entity: Louisiana Rural Ambulance Alliance

Members