Louisiana Children’s Museum and Manning Family Children’s announce multi-year partnership to advance child well-being in New Orleans

Aug 21

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) is proud to announce a three-year partnership with Manning Family Children’s. This newly formed sponsorship is designed to strengthen the health and advance the well-being of children and families across the Greater New Orleans area.

The two legacy institutions have a deep commitment to the community and to creating access to enriching experiences and to the resources that all families need to thrive. Through this multi-year sponsorship, Manning Family Children’s will provide onsite wellness resources at LCM events, including physicals, immunizations, expert mental health care advice and vital health screenings. The hospital will also be recognized as the presenting sponsor of Play Soiree, LCM’s signature fundraising event, as well as other key events including MudFest and Kindergarten Kickoff.

“Our partnership is testament to what can be achieved when two organizations, deeply committed to the well-being of children, unite their strengths,” Tifferney White, CEO of LCM said. “We are tremendously excited about the future and the countless positive impacts we will create together.”

The partnership was celebrated at a special event in late July on the LCM campus, attended by leaders from both organizations. Tifferney White, CEO of LCM, and Michael Schmidt, President of the Louisiana Children’s Museum Board of Directors were in attendance as representatives of the Museum. Representatives from Manning Family Children’s included Lou Fragoso, President & CEO of Manning Family Children’s; Kristen Robinson, Vice President of Marketing and Institutional Advancement; Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin, Director of Specialty Practices and Emily Wolff, Vice President of Community Impact. Guests also included LCM summer campers and an outpatient family from Manning Family Children’s.

“As we celebrate 70 years of standing in the gap for kids, Manning Family Children’s is committed to leading the charge to build a healthier future for kids both within our four walls and through our community partnerships,” said Fragoso. “By supporting the critical work of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, we are working together to break down silos of care in our city and to change the health of a generation. Together, we are committed to doing just that and we couldn’t be more excited about the years to come.”

This partnership exemplifies how two mission-driven organizations can work together to create a stronger, healthier community for New Orleans families. By integrating wellness services into beloved museum programs, LCM and Manning Family Children’s are ensuring that children not only play and learn but also thrive.

For more information about LCM and upcoming events where Manning Family Children’s will provide onsite wellness services, visit www.lcm.org.

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*Editor’s Note: Click here for images.

About Louisiana Children’s Museum

Louisiana Children’s Museum has long been known for its work in the community through innovative outreach and nationally recognized programs that support children and advance the museum’s mission to contribute to the region's future prosperity by engaging children's potential and making that potential visible. Through play, shared explorations, and in dialogue with adults, LCM connects children to each other, their caregivers, their environments, and the community. Keep up with Louisiana Children’s Museum and future announcements at lcm.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Manning Family Children’s:

Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. 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 manningchildren’s.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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