Louisiana – Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has appointed Evelyn Griffin, MD, as the state’s next surgeon general, selecting a physician with extensive experience in obstetrics, gynecology, and preventive health to help guide public health policy.
Landry announced the appointment along with Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Secretary Bruce Greenstein, framing the move as part of a broader effort to improve health outcomes across the state.
“Dr. Evelyn Griffin embodies the expertise and commitment that the people of Louisiana deserve in a Surgeon General,” Landry said. He cited her clinical background, leadership in maternal health, and focus on the doctor-patient relationship as key reasons for the choice. “With Dr. Griffin stepping in, I’m confident Louisiana is in good hands and headed toward a healthier, stronger future.”
Role Of The Surgeon General In Louisiana
The surgeon general serves as a leading voice on public health issues, helping state leaders and the public understand health risks, prevention strategies, and evidence-based recommendations. The position is central to efforts to improve health outcomes and support both clinical care and community health initiatives.
LDH Secretary Greenstein stressed the importance of the role in shaping health policy and education.
“I’m excited to have Dr. Griffin as the new Surgeon General, and I know she will be dedicated and work incredibly hard,” Greenstein said. “The role of the Surgeon General is critical to improving health outcomes, and Dr. Griffin has a passion for teaching people about living a healthy life and a strong voice on nutrition and healthy foods.”
He added that he looks forward to working with her “to make Louisiana healthy again.”
Griffin Emphasizes Patient Rights And Continuity Of Leadership
In her statement, Griffin highlighted both continuity and change, praising the work of her predecessors while outlining her own priorities.
“I am deeply honored to step into this role,” she said, crediting former Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham for his “dedication, vision, and steady guidance” in shaping the office she will now lead. She also recognized Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman and said she is “committed to upholding the high standards that he and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman have set.”
Griffin placed special emphasis on the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship, including informed consent and respect for individual rights. Informed consent is the process by which patients receive clear information about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of a treatment before agreeing to it.
“I am committed to safeguarding the integrity of the patient-doctor relationship by upholding informed consent and respecting individual rights,” she said.
Griffin also thanked Landry “for the appointment of Surgeon General and for his leadership in prioritizing healthcare,” and said she looks forward to working with him and “the great people of Louisiana” toward “a more healthy, resilient state.”
Clinical Background: Obstetrics, Gynecology, And Robotic Surgery
Griffin is a board-certified obstetrician–gynecologist, credentialed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She also holds additional certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine, a group that focuses on addressing root causes of disease through systems-based approaches, including lifestyle and environment.
Her surgical experience includes being among the first robotically trained gynecologic surgeons in her region. Robotic surgery systems allow surgeons to perform complex operations through small incisions, often leading to shorter hospital stays and recovery times.
Griffin has extensive experience managing conditions such as:
- Fibroids – noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause pain, heavy bleeding, or fertility issues.
- Endometriosis – a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it, often causing chronic pelvic pain and sometimes affecting fertility.
- Urogynecologic conditions – disorders related to the female pelvic floor, such as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.
Focus On Maternal Health And High-Risk Complications
In obstetrics, Griffin’s work has focused on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly complications related to hypertensive disorders and postpartum hemorrhage.
Maternal morbidity refers to health problems that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after, and that can have serious, long-term effects. Maternal mortality refers to deaths that occur during pregnancy or within a defined period after birth. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage, or severe bleeding after childbirth, are leading causes of maternal death and severe complications worldwide.
According to the background provided, Griffin has concentrated on addressing these high-risk conditions in her practice, aligning with broader state and national efforts to improve maternal outcomes.
Education And Career Path
Griffin completed her medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine. She then pursued residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, giving her direct experience within the state’s health care system early in her career.
After residency, she practiced for 15 years in a multispecialty clinic and hospital system, gaining exposure to a broad range of patients and conditions in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She currently works as an obstetric hospitalist, a physician who focuses on the care of pregnant patients in the hospital, including labor and delivery. Hospitalists typically manage complex or urgent cases and provide continuous coverage, which can improve coordination and safety.
Preventive Health And Chronic Disease
Griffin’s clinical experience led her to recognize an increase in chronic disease among her patients, according to the governor’s announcement. In response, she launched a preventive health initiative aimed at sustained disease prevention and, when possible, disease reversal.
Chronic diseases—such as diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of lung disease—often develop over many years and are strongly linked to lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, and smoking. Efforts to prevent or reverse these conditions can include nutrition counseling, exercise programs, and close monitoring of risk factors like blood pressure and blood sugar.
Her focus on prevention is in line with growing national attention to long-term health management rather than treating only acute problems once they become severe.
National-Level Advisory Work On Immunizations
In addition to her clinical and leadership roles in Louisiana, Griffin serves on the Advisory Panel for Immunization Practices. In that role, she provides guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on immunization issues.
Immunization advisory panels help evaluate vaccine data, recommend vaccine schedules, and consider safety and effectiveness for different groups. Participation in such a panel indicates involvement in national-level public health decision-making and policy discussions.
Looking Ahead For Louisiana Public Health
With Griffin’s appointment, state leaders are signaling an emphasis on maternal health, preventive care, nutrition, and patient rights within Louisiana’s public health agenda. While the announcement did not outline specific new programs or policies, it underscored priorities such as:
- Strengthening the patient-doctor relationship
- Improving maternal health outcomes, especially around life-threatening complications
- Expanding preventive health approaches to combat chronic disease
- Supporting public education on healthy living and nutrition
- Continuing coordination with national public health bodies, including the CDC
Landry, Greenstein, and Griffin all framed the appointment as a step toward a “healthier, stronger” and “more healthy, resilient” Louisiana, with the surgeon general’s office expected to play a central role in shaping that effort.