Ochsner Health in New Orleans has named Dr. Alexander Fortenko as its new vice president of innovation, tasked with shaping the health system’s artificial intelligence strategy. Fortenko will set the long-term direction for AI-enabled innovation and oversee critical units, including the data science team, the AI Center of Excellence, and the Chief Medical Information Officers group. The appointment aligns with ongoing efforts to deploy AI responsibly across clinical, operational, and patient engagement functions.
As AI adoption accelerates in healthcare, Fortenko’s mandate emphasizes a safe AI strategy—balancing innovation with governance, privacy, and patient safety. By coordinating cross-disciplinary teams and aligning AI initiatives with clinical workflows, Ochsner aims to accelerate evidence-based deployment, enhance decision support, and improve outcomes while maintaining regulatory compliance. The role signals a strategic shift toward scalable, trusted AI at the enterprise level.





