Jesuit forms Blue Jays to be capable, compassionate men for others, and Blue Jay alumni reflect these qualities “through all the days of life.” In recognition of his professional accomplishments as a physician and healthcare leader, Gerald “Gerry” Cvitanovich ’78 has been named the 2024 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Alumnus of the Year.

Cvitanovich, coroner of Jefferson Parish and chief strategy officer of Ochsner Urgent Care and Occupational Health, was also recently named the president-elect of the National Urgent Care Association (UCA). These prestigious recognitions reflect his dedication to serving patients in the New Orleans community and his influential role in shaping the local and national urgent care landscape.

“Being recognized by my peers is a tremendous honor,” said Cvitanovich. “My greatest appreciation goes to my parents for the life lessons they taught me. I pray that my wife and I are able to pass on similar lessons to our three daughters and to our son, who is now a junior at Jesuit. I also appreciate how Jesuit helped me mature academically and personally to guide me to success both in business and as a family man.”

Cvitanovich’s journey in medicine began at LSU HSC in New Orleans after completing his undergraduate studies at Tulane University 1982. During his more-than-three-decade career in medicine, he has held various leadership roles in the medical community.

Since joining Ochsner Health in 2017, Cvitanovich helped lead the hospital system’s strategic development of its urgent care footprint through various acquisitions, affiliations, and special projects. He has simultaneously served as the elected coroner of Jefferson Parish since March 2012 and is the current president of the Louisiana State Coroners Association.