Manning Family Children’s names Mrs. Betty Lauricella as the 2026 Louisiana Legacy award recipient

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – Manning Family Children’s proudly announces Mrs. Betty Lauricella as the hospital’s 2026 Louisiana Legacy Award recipient in recognition for the significant impact she has made on child wellbeing across the state and region. The award will be presented during the 2nd annual Louisiana Legacy celebration planned for Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Orpheum Theater.

“When we reflect on those who have been steadfast advocates for kids, there is hardly another person who matches the commitment, passion, generosity and leadership of Betty Lauicella,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s. “Betty first joined the Children’s Board in 1983, and was the first woman to serve as chair in 1992. A trailblazer in her own right, Betty has helped pave the way for many pivotal milestones throughout our history – overcoming financial challenges in the early days to ensure our sustainability, rebuilding in the years that followed Hurricane Katrina, the purchase of our State Street campus which enabled the vision for our most recent campus expansion, and key investments that have helped scale the hospital’s impact over many decades.”

The Louisiana Legacy celebration was established with the Manning family in 2025 to honor the defining moments and leaders who have helped shape our state and region, while raising funds to support the vital mission of Manning Family Children’s. Community support through the 2026 Louisiana Legacy event will help fund a new, 60-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Manning Family Children’s – a critical expansion that will help Manning Family Children’s continue to deliver the highest level of neonatal care in the state, at a time when more babies than ever before rely on its highly specialized, lifesaving care.

“I have had the honor of working alongside Betty as a mentor and friend for nearly 30 years, both in my previous roles at Manning Family Children’s, and through the formation and growth of LCMC Health,” said Greg Feirn, CEO of LCMC Health. “Betty has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our children. Her legacy is one of giving back and driving positive change. We look forward to honoring Betty’s immeasurable impact on October 1.”

The Louisiana Legacy celebration will take place Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Orpheum Theater featuring gourmet food and cocktails, a fireside chat with members of the Manning family and special guests, along with live entertainment for approximately 500 patrons and supporters. The vibrant occasion will be co-chaired by Courtney and Ted Le Clercq and Tina and Barry Kern, with Olivia and Archie Manning and Ellen and Cooper Manning serving as honorary co-chairs.

“We look forward to building upon the impact that began with our inaugural Louisiana Legacy event in 2025, as we began our new chapter as Manning Family Children’s,” said Cooper Manning. “We invite the community to join us for a celebratory and fun evening that will help fuel the mission of Manning Family Children’s.”

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets visit www.manningchildrens.org/legacy.

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‍ ‍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 14 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 manningchildrens.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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