Willis-Knighton Health System Receives WebMD

Choice Awards

Willis-Knighton Health System has been named as a recipient of the WebMD Choice Awards for 2023. WebMD, a national provider of health information, has recognized the health system with the WebMD Patient Choice Award and Medscape Provider Choice Award in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology and gastroenterology.

The WebMD Patient Choice Award identifies best-in-class health systems from a consumer perspective, while the Medscape Physician Choice Award identifies best-in-class health systems from a physician perspective.

The annual program ranks health systems in five specialties and 44 treatments/procedures across 28 markets and 112 subregions. Both awards are given to hospitals and health systems in the top 30% of patient or physician preferences in a local market.

“This recognition by WebMD reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality care for patients we are privileged to serve,” says Jaf Fielder, president and CEO of Willis-Knighton Health System. “We are honored to be trusted by patients and providers who know they can count on Willis-Knighton for best-in-class care when they need it most.”

This is the third year of the WebMD Choice Awards, the only program of its kind. It is based solely on the perception of patients and providers, using up-to-date data from the past year. Patient and physician opinions are measured using a market-by-market surveying process. The WebMD Patient Choice Awards survey was conducted via a live poll randomly targeted to relevant condition areas and audiences at WebMD.com and geo-targeted and mapped to ZIP codes to gather market-specific information.

Megan Flavin Named Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs

Megan Flavin, PT, DPT, OCS, TPS, has been named assistant dean of clinical affairs of LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Allied Health Professions.

The assistant dean of clinical affairs is responsible for directing, coordinating and overseeing all medical services provided by therapists, psychologists, therapy aides and clinical and clerical support for the allied health school. Dr. Flavin will interact with patients, families, directors, staff, organizations, referring physicians and others to ensure timely and quality patient care in the School’s three clinics: Children’s Center, Rehabilitation Clinic and Mollie E. Webb Speech and Hearing Center. The allied health clinics see approximately 2,000 patients and 20,000 visits yearly, providing critical services in the Shreveport-Bossier and surrounding areas.

Dr. Megan Flavin is an experienced physical therapist and educator with over seven years of practice, over six years of teaching experience, and multiple physical therapy certifications. Dr. Flavin received her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Louisiana State University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Flavin also completed an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency at the School of Allied Health Professions before joining the faculty in 2017.

Surgeon Named to 20 Under 40 List of Top Spine Doctors

Dr. Andrew Zhang, an orthopedic surgeon with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, has been named among the nation’s top spine doctors by the North American Spine Society (NASS). Dr. Zhang received the prestigious SpineLine 20 Under 40 award, which recognizes only 20 physicians across the country under the age of 40 for exceptional research and patient care accomplishments, community service and philosophy of care.

Dr. Zhang is an Ivy League-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery. He is trained in treating complex adult and pediatric spinal deformities such as scoliosis, robotic spine surgery and minimally invasive techniques.

Dr. Zhang graduated from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with dual degrees in biology and economics, with highest honors in each. He later obtained his MD with Distinction in Research from the same institution and was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at LSU Health Shreveport and then graduated from Brown University for advanced spine fellowship training under the mentorship of renowned orthopedic and neurosurgeons. Dr. Zhang also completed additional spine training at Yale University and Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia and Shreveport. His formal education culminated with Honors in Surgical Leadership from Harvard University. He currently serves as chief of adult and pediatric spine surgery at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, as well as assistant professor and the associate program director for the Orthopedic Surgery Residency at LSU Health Shreveport.