First Time Mom Chooses North Oaks: "I Trust This Hospital"

On Dec. 24, of 2020, Santa Claus wasn’t the only one coming to town, but also a new baby girl, Margot Graziano.

On that day, Olivia Graziano gave birth to her baby girl at 12:13 A.M. at North Oaks Medical Center. Becoming a mommy for the first time, Olivia knew that North Oaks was the best hospital at which to welcome her child into the world.

“My mom, Christi Marceaux, worked at North Oaks for years, and being that I grew up in this area after we moved, I know a lot of people employed by North Oaks. It just made my decision really easy because I trust this hospital,” she mentioned.

A native of Chalmette, Olivia and her family were forced to relocate in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed their home. Suddenly uprooted, Olivia transferred to Ponchatoula Junior High to begin a new chapter.

Olivia quickly made Hammond her home. She graduated from Ponchatoula High School and attended Southeastern Louisiana University where she met her husband, Mike Graziano. She danced as a Lionette, coached, went on to work for the Hammond Downtown Development District, and later for the SLU Alumni Center. Olivia found value in the City of Hammond while making a name for herself and becoming a true local.

“Southeastern is a big school, North Oaks is a great hospital, and Hammond is a large area and we definitely take it all for granted sometimes. It just makes sense to be here, this is where we put down our roots as a family,” she conveyed.

Olivia reiterated the hometown feeling North Oaks provided during her birth experience. She said, “When I checked in, I instantly realized that I knew the girl at the front desk, and I just felt immediately comfortable. There was already that sense of community so to speak. Overall, I feel like there’s no doubt that North Oaks has the best quality healthcare. I have trusted them as long as I have lived here.”

As a designated Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care, North Oaks Medical Center is recognized for delivering quality specialty care safely and effectively, while also meeting requirements for cost efficiency, based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community.

“I loved my nursing staff and was ecstatic to have Dr. April Sandifer deliver Margot. She is one of my favorite doctors because she just reminds me of myself as far as being honest and straightforward, so I felt very safe,” she expressed.

Dr. Sandifer and her colleagues Drs. Jaime Edwards and Kimberly Guillory, Midwives Amy Linn and Jennifer Bonaventure, along with Nurse Practitioners Diane Rabalais and Julie Santangelo Ponder practice with Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology and care for women through all stages of life.

Dr. Sandifer explains “in this ever-evolving field of health care, North Oaks Women and Children’s Services and Labor and Delivery is committed to constantly adapting to continue to provide quality care and is a great place to have your baby. In fact, I had my babies, Cole 7 and Olive 4, here. Bringing new lives into this world is my favorite part of the job.”

Although Olivia said her labor was no easy task, she felt the entire North Oaks team left a sense of security in the room with her that day.

If you are looking for women’s health care, schedule an appointment with Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology at www.northoaks.org/realtalk or call (985) 230-APPT.