Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
Leadership & Faculty - General Surgery Residency Program - Lafayette Region
Program Leadership
Dennis Eschete, MD, has extensive experience in General and Bariatric Surgery with a focus on minimally invasive surgery. He is a fellowship trained surgeon specializing in complex laparoscopic techniques including a focus on hernia repairs and weight loss surgeries. Outside the operating room, he is a dedicated family man, finding his greatest joy in the moments spent with his loving wife and two wonderful children. He enjoys an active lifestyle including traveling and exploring new golf destinations with family. Balancing the intensity of a surgeon's career with the warmth of family life is the source of constant inspiration and fulfillment for him.
Program Faculty
Dr. Breaux has extensive specialty training and experience in the surgical management of cancer of the liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, breast, and soft tissue/skin. Additionally, he routinely performs non-cancer-related general surgery, complex hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal surgery procedures. He has completed comprehensive training in minimally invasive surgical approaches using laparoscopic and robotic techniques and utilizes these approaches in almost all his cases. When he is not at work, he enjoys spending time in the outdoors, with his four children, and wife. In terms of professional background, he has experience in Surgical Oncology at a General Surgery practice in Lafayette, LA. His educational achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA, a Doctorate of Medicine from Louisiana State Health Science Center in New Orleans, LA, Residency in General Surgery from Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, and Fellowship in Surgical Oncology from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Breaux is actively involved in various professional organizations, including being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, the Society of Surgical Oncology, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
Dr. Ghanami is a native of Monroe, Louisiana and attended The University of Louisiana in Monroe where he received his undergraduate degree in Biology. He went to medical school at Louisiana State University in New Orleans and Completed his general surgery residency at The University of Arkansas. He then completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Wake Forest. Dr. Ghanami moved to Lafayette, Louisiana in 2012 at the completion of his training. He built a private practice that served the Acadiana region through 2023 when his team joined the Ochsner family. Dr. Ghanami cares for patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, aneurysmal disease, traumatic vascular injuries and end stage renal disease. He utilizes open, endovascular and hybrid procedures to address disease requiring procedural intervention. He has previously served as the Chief of Surgery at Lafayette General and is part of the core faculty of the General Surgery residency program at Ochsner Lafayette General.
Dr. Shaunda K. Grisby is a General Surgeon and Fellowship-Trained Breast Surgical Oncologist at Ochsner Lafayette General Health, where she serves as Associate Regional Medical Director. With a focus on breast cancer treatment, she completed her Breast Surgery Oncology Fellowship at William Beaumont Hospital and her General Surgery Residency at Easton Hospital, where she was Chief Resident. In addition to her clinical role, Dr. Grisby is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. She actively engages in leadership and committee work, overseeing several initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care and safety. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, she has contributed to numerous research presentations and publications in her field. Her commitment to education and community health is reflected in her involvement with local health organizations.
Dr. Horaist has a vast background in the surgical treatment of disease processes involving the gastrointestinal tract including cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. He also specializes in the treatment of anorectal diseases such as cancer, hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas. He is fellowship trained and board certified in both General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Horaist has extensive experience in minimal invasive surgery and performs almost all of his cases using these techniques. When he is not at work, he enjoys watching sports, listening to live music, and traveling with his family.
Dr. Joseph Lupo is a skilled plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a strong background in both general and specialized surgical fields. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Lupo then completed his general surgery residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where he gained extensive surgical experience. He furthered his expertise with specialized training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Tulane Medical Center. Dr. Lupo is dedicated to delivering advanced, personalized care in plastic and reconstructive surgery, combining his comprehensive training with a focus on achieving optimal outcomes for his patients.
System Leadership
Dr. Vincent Adolph earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University and served as an intern and resident at New Orleans Charity Hospital. He completed an extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) fellowship in pediatric surgery at Ochsner and finished his surgical residency at the Medical College of Virginia where he served as Chief Resident. He completed a research fellowship at Pennsylvania State University and a pediatric general surgery fellowship at Montreal Children's Hospital.
Dr. Adolph is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics (Surgery Section), and a member of the American Pediatric Surgical Association and the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. He has been on staff at Ochsner since 1994.
Dr. Adolph is board certified in surgery and holds a certificate of special competence in pediatric surgery. His expertise includes congenital diaphragmatic hernia, extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and pediatric thoracic surgery. He is the section head of pediatric general surgery and Ochsner regional medical director for North Louisiana and Lake Charles. He has served on the Ochsner Health Board of Directors since 2016.
Dr. Ari Cohen earned his medical degree from the University of Manitoba in Canada, where he also completed his surgical internship and residency. He completed his transplant surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Cohen is a Fellow of the Royal College of Canada. His professional interests and expertise include living donor liver transplant, liver transplantation, living donor kidney transplantation, and solitary pancreas transplantation. Dr. Cohen is board certified in general surgery and transplant surgery and has been on staff at Ochsner since 2002.
