Children’s Hospital New Orleans Launches Giving Krewes featuring patient kings and queens

Written By Alicia Vial

The Founder’s Krewe of 1955 welcomes nearly 200 individuals, businesses and foundations

NEW ORLEANS – Coinciding with the beginning of Carnival Season, Children’s Hospital New Orleans Giving Krewes rolled for the first time Jan. 9, launching a new annual giving program with a special event for staff and patients that included a second line, music and king cake. Rolling for the first time, the inaugural Giving Krewe is comprised of more than 500 members and each krewe is led by a patient king and queen - The Krewe of Wonder (Queen Jamie Taylor), The Krewe of Joy (Queen Zoe Reed), The Krewe of Healing (King Dilon Dishon), The Krewe of Hope (Queen Scarlett Wood), The Krewe of Champions (King Ray “Speedy” Walker), The Krewe of Extraordinary (King John Schouest) and the Founder’s Krewe of 1955 (Queen Sophia Liriano).

Children’s Hospital’s Giving Krewes recognize and show appreciation for the generous community of supporters who help advance the hospital’s mission every year by contributing $1,000 or more. Whether giving through a signature event, making a gift to the hospital’s Kids Fund, supporting a specific program, service line or capital project, the Giving Krewes recognize all cumulative annual giving, and help Children’s honor and thank its donors.

“In 2023, more than 6,600 unique donors contributed $12.1 million to our vital mission,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “This generous support helps Children’s continue to provide expert care for every child regardless of his or her family’s ability to pay and ensures our ability to expand essential programs. Establishing our Giving Krewes helps us show gratitude for our supporters who are, and will continue to be, a vital part of our mission.”

Giving Krewe members whose lifetime contributions reach $100,000 are inducted into the Founder’s Krewe of 1955 in honor of the year that Children’s Hospital New Orleans first opened its doors. At the inaugural event, Children’s Hospital welcomed nearly 200 individuals, businesses and foundations into the Founders Krewe of 1955. Collectively, this krewe represents more than $100 million dollars in philanthropic support through the years.

“Since 1955, Children’s Hospital has had an unwavering commitment to provide the best care for all children,” said Stephen Hales, MD, member of the Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees, and lifelong annual donor. “Philanthropic support has always been a part of our story and will be even more important as we move forward with a bold vision to reach even more children and families out in the communities we serve, and to ensure access to the highest level of care is available when and where kids need it.”

To learn more about the Children’s Hospital Giving Krewes and ways to give, visit chnola.org/krewes.

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About Children’s Hospital New Orleans
Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, delivered just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Diamondhead, MS. Children’s offers primary care services at 14 convenient locations and remotely via its Virtual Care for Kids program. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at chnola.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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