LHA Trust Funds Crowns Daniel Linarello, MD, Louisiana's Favorite Doctor

LHA Trust Funds is proud to announce General Surgeon Daniel A. Linarello, MD, FACS, of North Oaks Health System, as the winner of the 2025 Louisiana’s Favorite Doctor contest.

Created by Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Trust Funds to honor physicians during National Doctors’ Day on March 30, the Louisiana’s Favorite Doctor contest has grown into a year-round celebration of exceptional doctors. Patients and healthcare staff across the state submitted hundreds of heartfelt nominations, recognizing physicians who have made a meaningful impact on their lives.

Dr. Linarello received the most nominations, earning him the title of Louisiana’s Favorite Doctor 2025.

LHA Trust Funds and North Oaks Health System celebrated Dr. Linarello with a surprise presentation to commemorate the achievement.

“Dr. Daniel Linarello is more than a skilled surgeon,” reads one of the nearly 200 nominations he received. “He’s a compassionate advocate for his patients and a true leader in healthcare. For 23 years, he has provided exceptional care with kindness, humor and dedication to innovation. He champions early detection and lifesaving treatments, making his patients feel valued and at ease. His impact extends beyond the operating room, shaping a healthier community through his expertise and genuine concern. As North Oaks’ Physician of the Year, he embodies what it means to be Louisiana’s Favorite Doctor—trusted, respected and deeply admired.”

Other nominations assert, “I would choose Dr. Linarello time and time again,” and “I would recommend him to anyone!”

“Being a doctor is the ultimate way to give back to my community and help others in need,” said Dr. Linarello. “Being a surgeon allows me to have an immediate impact on the health of my patients.”

As a general surgeon, Dr. Linarello specializes in wound care and diagnosing and surgically treating conditions such as breast cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder disease and hernias. He is certified in da Vinci® robotic surgery and is highly skilled in minimally invasive procedures.

“Our goal with this contest was to recognize and celebrate the dedication of physicians across Louisiana,” said Cindy Dolan, President and CEO of LHA Trust Funds. “We are honored to highlight the incredible work that doctors like Dr. Linarello do every day to improve patient care.”

"Dr. Linarello is our Physician of the Year for a reason," shares North Oaks President and CEO Michele K. Sutton, FACHE. "He is the heart of our hospital and embodies our mission to improve lives, every time, every touch." 

For more than forty-five years, the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Trust Funds has provided specialized programs and enterprise risk services to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and physician practices alike. Committed to helping the healthcare industry in Louisiana keep patients and employees safe, LHA Trust Funds proudly supports healthcare providers in staying ahead of today’s rapidly changing healthcare regulations.