What makes dad so extra special? We asked our employees and their children.

​What is it about dads that makes them so extra special? We asked our employees to share what it means to be a dad and to work in healthcare. We also asked their children to share what they think is their dad's little something extra.

Let's see what they had to say!

Children’s Hospital New Orleans

Joe Ward, Director of Environmental Services, Children’s Hospital New Orleans

• Dylan, 12, son

​What is your child’s “little something extra” that makes them special to you?

I love how every day when I get home from work, Dylan asks me “Dad how was your day?

What does he think is his dad's “little extra?"

"My dad lets me play games on his computer and gives me Robux for my favorite video game Roblox."

What is one piece of advice for your child?

Golden Rule always treat people, the way you want to be treated

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your child.

I hope he continues to be his caring self and follow his dreams and passions.

Jon Paul Hebert, Sr. Practice Administrator, Children’s Hospital New Orleans

• Bernadette, 7, daughter

What is your child’s “little something extra” that makes them special to you?

Bernadette has a sweet and kind personality. She loves to tell jokes and make people laugh.

What does she think is her dad's “little extra?"

"My daddy kisses me every morning before he leaves for work."

What is one piece of advice for your child?

If you want to be happy, start by being thankful.

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your child.

I hope she always seeks to be the person God created her to be.

New Orleans East Hospital

Ryan Yates, Dietician

• Ellie Mae, 6, dog daughter

What is your pet child's “little something extra” that makes them special to you?

Despite being severely abused and abandoned kennel for the first half of her life, she still has so much love to give. She is always happy and excited to me.

What do they feel is their dad’s “little extra?”

Making time to take her on walks, even after long days.

What is one piece of advice for your pet?

Take time to enjoy the little things, like a sunset walk on the bayou.

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

Live a happy and healthy life.

C.J. Marbley, RN Vice President of Patient Care/ Chief Nursing Officer, New Orleans East Hospital

• Lillian, 30, daughter; Caleb, 23, son; Audrey, 21, daughter; & Ernest, 18, son

What are your children's “little something extras” that make them special to you?

Their little extra is the ability to put work into overcoming a challenge or problem.

What do they feel is their dad’s “little extra?”

Dad’s life lessons

What is one piece of advice for your children?

My advice is always to plant the good seeds of helping others

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

Hope that they find the joy of a purpose-driven life.

Touro

Greg Barker, VP of Operations, Touro

• Abigail, 8, daughter & Everett, 6, son

What are your children's “little something extras” that make them special to you?

Abby's daily hugs, her morning "smooch" and her constantly saying Dad I love you very much! Everett's thumbs up when dad gets it right, his laughter when we horse around and the way he holds my hand when we go for walks.

What do they feel is their dad's “little extra?"

Abigail: "Making blueberry pancakes on the weekend (and the occasional Mickey Mouse pancakes)"

Everett: "Being "extra" good at fixing and building things"

What is one piece of advice for your children?

Be happy, kind and compassionate, have fun and enjoy life, think for yourself and most importantly be nice to your parents.

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

That they grow up to be happy and healthy and grow to be adults with integrity and realize their potential to fulfill a purpose in life wherever life may lead them.

University Medical Center New Orleans

Paul Hildreth, Rehab Program Supervisor - Physical Therapy, University Medical Center New Orleans

• Emma, 25, daughter; Zander, 22, son; & Grant 26, son

What are your children's “little something extras” that make them special to you?

Their humor, passion, and curiosity. And they all moved out of the house, for now.

What do they feel is their dad’s “little extra?”

Paying for dinner

What is one piece of advice for your children?

Love your siblings and never have more than one Hurricane

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

Stay good people and take care of me when I'm old.

Carl A. Flores, Burn Outreach Coordinator, University Medical Center New Orleans

• Evynn 29, daughter; Austin 20, son; & Avery 17, daughter

What are your children's “little something extras” that make them special to you?

With Avery, it has always been her caring heart and willingness to help and care for others. So, for her to say she wants to help people like her mom and dad do in the medical field....we could not be more proud...With Austin, it has been the reflection of him growing up into the man he is today, I am in awe of his growth and maturity and am humbled he still allows his father to teach him basic life skills...including chivalry...Finally with Evynn, while there have been so many moments I will cherish since she was a little girl, seeing her experience the same unconditional love and joy from her new stepson is priceless, as she now knows how I felt about her when she came into my life.

What do they feel their dad's “little extra?"

Evynn: “I would say dad’s little something extra for me was dad always being there to support me, even when I made mistakes, he would push me to be better for myself and now my family.”

Austin: “My little something extra, is my dad’s ability to turn any situation I may be going through into a positive life lesson to help me be stronger and grow.”

Avery: “Love is my father's “extra”…I see it through the love of his family, faith, and work in helping people. These three things make me want to aspire to do the same.”

From all Three: “When dad tells us before we go out…”Have fun.…and make good decisions.”

What is one piece of advice for your children?

Respect others and help your fellow man, if you are able to….. always sleep soundly by doing what is right.... not just what is easy... While this may not always be easy hold tight to your faith and principles to guide you.

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

My hope is that my children find happiness and inner peace to foster a better life for themselves, their families, and those they touch. I pray that they give more than they take and remain humble and steadfast in their faith.

Lawrence Matarutse, Director of Clinical Research, University Medical Center New Orleans

• Zoe, 13, daughter & Alex, 8, son

What are your children's “little something extras” that make them special to you?

Zoe has big heart, cares about everyone’s feelings.

Alex is my little social butterfly. Very good at making friends and keeping them too.

What do they feel their dads “little extra?"

Zoe would say dad and I always had a great time getting pedicure at the nail salon

Alex would say his best time with dad was bonding while fishing together

What is one piece of advice for your children?

Find your passion and it’s okay to be different

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

I hope they believe in themselves and live a fulfilling life

West Jefferson Medical Center

Joey Cancienne, EMS Director, West Jefferson Medical Center

• Caleb, 4, son​​​

What is your child’s “little something extra” that makes them special to you?

My son Caleb’s little something extra is his constant curiosity and kind heart. My most special memories are watching him experience things for the first time, and his natural excitement to the world around him.

What does he think is his dad's “little extra?"

“Daddy’s little something extra is he helps sick people get better and gets me donuts.”

What is one piece of advice for your child?

Please and thank you go a long way.

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your child.

I hope that Caleb finds what he loves to do in life and lets his passion drive him to achieve his goals.

Jeremy Matherne, CT Technologist, West Jefferson Medical Center

• Quinn, 2 years 9 months, and son Jackson, 10 months​​​

What are your children's “little something extras” that make them special to you?

I love how my kids give the best hugs and have the best smiles

What do they think is their dad's “little extra?"

Quinn - ”My dad takes me to the park and for walks outside”

What is one piece of advice for your children?

Always follow your heart and dreams, and keep your head up

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

I hope they follow their heart and overcome any obstacles in their path.

LCMC Health

Greg Feirn, CEO, LCMC Health

• Williams, Charles, Betsy

What is your child’s “little something extra” that makes them special to you?

Williams: Ever since Williams could walk, well rather run, as soon as he hears the front door open, he comes barreling down the hallway to greet me yelling “daaaaaddddy’s home!” Followed by a giant bear hug. I always look forward to that little something extra at the end of a long day.

Charles: I grew up fishing and water skiing on a lake in Wisconsin. Charles shares the love of both sports so whether we are catching trout or I’m watching him perfect his cut, his enthusiasm is a little something extra that always puts a smile on my face.

Betsy: As my firstborn and only daughter, I still envision Betsy in her dancing tutu and princess costumes. Now, she has graduated from high school and going to college in the fall, I’m so very proud of her growth and maturity and can’t wait to see what she will do next.

What do they feel is their dad's “little extra?"

Williams: “Dad makes me the best pancakes in the world!”

Charles: “Dad is always up for taking me fishing!”

Betsy: “He’s always making up a goofy song about what he’s doing at the moment”

What is one piece of advice for your children?

There is no substitute for hard work and being kind while doing it.

Share any hopes or dreams you have for your children.

I hope Betsy, Charles and Williams grow up and experience the same level of joy from family and friendships that Sarah and I are so thankful to have in our lives.

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