Lee Giorgio

In February, 2021, at age 71, Lee Giorgio facilitated a collaboration that would result in a brand new $44 million facility at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. It’s the Ochsner Center for Nursing and Allied Health. Lee facilitated a $20 million donation from Ochsner to make it happen. $10 million of that goes to tuition for Ochsner employees. 

The project was a long time coming and faced more than a few obstacles. But Lee has a lifetime of experience finding solutions to issues that arise. He has vision and he knows people with strengths across many disciplines. His network is extensive. He is co-founder and was the first Chairman of the Board of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, and he sits on number of boards of directors – including Ochsner’s and Delgado’s.  

Although Lee’s day job is in real estate development, he’s passionate about workforce development — about creating better futures for people in Louisiana.  “We do workforce development for real jobs so people can make a real living,” he says. “And that’s the main thing that pushes me.” The Ochsner Center for Nursing and Allied Health is just one tangible result of that drive. 

Lee envisions a Louisiana where parents don’t have to see their kids move out of state for better opportunities. Not only does he envision it. He’s making it happen. And that’s why we celebrate Lee Giorgio as a Peoples Health Champion.