Louisiana Pain Specialists Celebrate Healthcare Heroes as Dr. Neil Jolly Leads Mardi Gras Float

This Mardi Gras season, the Legion of Mars parade is introducing a new tradition with its inaugural HealthCare Heroes float, a unique tribute to those who dedicate their lives to healthcare, service, and resilience. Dr. Neil Jolly, a leading physician with Louisiana Pain Specialists, has been named the Float Captain for this special float, which will roll down St. Charles Avenue on February 22, 2025.

The HealthCare Heroes float will honor the many individuals who support and work within the healthcare sector, including providers, first responders, patients, and more. From doctors and nurses to the everyday heroes in administration, the float will shine a light on those who make healthcare in Louisiana both resilient and exceptional.

The Three Pillars of the HealthCare Heroes Float

The HealthCare Heroes float will be driven by three important missions:

1. Honor Military Veterans, First Responders, and Healthcare Heroes in the Community
   This float is a celebration of service—honoring not only healthcare workers but also military veterans and first responders who work tirelessly on the front lines of care. Their dedication and commitment to the safety and well-being of others will be at the heart of this parade.

2. Showcase Louisiana’s Healthcare System as a Leader in Excellence
   Louisiana’s healthcare professionals are known for their exceptional skill, compassion, and innovation. This float will highlight the state’s healthcare system, celebrating the many individuals and organizations that make Louisiana a leader in healthcare excellence, despite the challenges faced by communities.

3. Highlight Extraordinary Individuals
   This year’s float will recognize remarkable individuals who have gone above and beyond—whether that’s patients overcoming significant health challenges like cancer or healthcare workers who have demonstrated extraordinary acts of service. The float will spotlight those whose stories of perseverance, courage, and excellence inspire us all.

The Heroes Behind the Float

Dr. Jolly will be joined on the float by several of his colleagues from Louisiana Pain Specialists, including:

• Lauren Mears, PA
• Sasha Hernandez, PA
• Haniya, Nurse Practitioner
• Joshua Kaufman, MD
• Eric Sterne, MD
• Erik Davis, MD

These providers, along with others from across Louisiana’s healthcare community, represent the diverse group of individuals whose hard work, expertise, and commitment to their patients make them heroes every day. This float is a recognition not just of healthcare providers but also of the critical roles played by support staff, administrators, and others who contribute to the system’s success.

Honoring Resilience and Service

Along with honoring healthcare workers, the float will recognize military veterans and patients who have triumphed over health challenges. It will be a celebration of the resilience and strength that these individuals embody, both on the frontlines of healthcare and in their personal journeys. The float design will include powerful symbols, such as a Blackhawk medic helicopter, representing first responders and those who serve in high-risk situations.

A Parade with Purpose

The HealthCare Heroes float will roll as part of the Legion of Mars parade, New Orleans’ newest Mardi Gras krewe, which is known for its focus on service and community. This year’s parade will feature military flyovers, high school marching bands, antique military vehicles, and inspiring stories of people who dedicate their lives to helping others.

With its family-friendly atmosphere, the parade offers a chance to experience Mardi Gras in a way that celebrates the true heroes of our community while avoiding the overwhelming crowds of the more traditional celebrations. It’s an exciting opportunity to honor those whose work often goes unnoticed but whose contributions are invaluable.

A Historic Celebration of Service and Strength

As Float Captain, Dr. Jolly is honored to lead this special float, which highlights the diverse individuals who contribute to Louisiana’s healthcare system. Whether in the clinic, the hospital, or on the front lines of emergency care, the HealthCare Heroes float celebrates those who serve and protect, whether through patient care, community leadership, or resilience in the face of adversity.

This parade is not only a celebration of healthcare workers but also a moment to recognize patients, veterans, and first responders—each of whom plays a crucial role in our communities. It’s a powerful reminder that healthcare is a team effort, and each individual’s contributions make a difference.

Join Us in Honoring Healthcare Heroes

As Mardi Gras 2025 approaches, we look forward to celebrating the HealthCare Heroes float—a historic moment for New Orleans and a tribute to the incredible healthcare workers, veterans, first responders, and patients who make our communities stronger. Dr. Jolly and the team at Louisiana Pain Specialists are proud to be part of this effort to showcase the strength, resilience, and service that define Louisiana’s healthcare system.

We hope you’ll join us along the parade route to celebrate these extraordinary individuals who make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of others every day.