Mena and Domingue Honored as 2023 Providers of the Year

Exceptional dedication to serving others, leadership, performance excellence and community involvement are among the qualities used to describe North Oaks Health System’s 2023 Providers of the Year, Dr. Jose Mena and Nurse Anesthetist Jody Domingue.

The medical executive committees for North Oaks Medical Center and North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital select a Physician of the Year and Advanced Practitioner of the Year annually based on nominations submitted by health system employees, volunteers and providers.

Selected as Physician of the Year, Mena is pictured above (second from left) with President/CEO Michele Sutton, FACHE; Chief Medical Officer Robert Peltier, MD; and Stephen Graham, MD, who was named Physician of the Year in 2022. Mena has served on the North Oaks medical staff and practiced on the Northshore for nearly 19 years. He joined the North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute team in December 2022 and is certified in general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and peripheral vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Before 2004, he practiced in Augusta, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina.

After earning a medical degree from the Escuela Autonoma de Ciencias Medicas de Centro America in San Jose, Costa Rica, Mena completed an internship in general surgery through Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York and a residency in general surgery through Ochsner Clinic and Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans. He then completed a fellowship in peripheral vascular surgery through New York University followed by a second fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery through Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation.

As a cardiothoracic and peripheral vascular surgeon, Mena’s expertise and skillset are in high demand. Exceptional dedication and relentless commitment to providing the best care for his patients are common themes among nominations received.

“Not only is he an amazing surgeon, but he is the kindest person you will ever meet,” reads one submission. “He extends compassion to patients and colleagues alike, and his commitment to excellence truly sets him apart. His work ethic is unmatched.”

Selected as Advanced Practitioner of the Year, Domingue is pictured above at center with President/CEO Michele Sutton, FACHE, and Chief Medical Officer Robert Peltier, MD. She initially joined the health system in 1990 as a registered nurse. In 1991, she departed North Oaks to further her education as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). She returned to the hospital in 1994 as a CRNA and has served in this capacity ever since.

In 2014, Jody joined the trauma team upon North Oaks’ implementation of the program.

Described in nominations as someone who “constantly seeks new challenges and personal growth” and “seizes opportunities to help her coworkers,” Domingue is an able mentor for new CRNA team members.

A fellow CRNA wrote, “We respect Jody and value her willingness to provide advice and guidance. Her dedication to providing exceptional care makes her one of the most requested CRNAs on our team.”

North Oaks Medical Center is located at 15790 Paul Vega, MD, Drive in Hammond.

North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute is in the North Oaks Clinic Building at 15813 Paul Vega, MD, Drive, Suite 403. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. To schedule an appointment with Mena, call (985) 230-7350.