Dr. Jennifer Woerner truly found her passion—teaching. “I love my job.

There isn’t a day that I don’t get out of bed wanting to be at work”, she said. Dr. Woerner is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at LSU Health Shreveport where she helps train young surgeons. She was raised in Florida, but following graduation from dental school at the University of Florida, she decided Shreveport is where she needed to be. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program at LSU Health is one of the preeminent programs in the country. Therefore, eight years ago, Dr. Woerner moved to Shreveport, and this is where she completed her medical degree, residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and fellowship training in Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery. She feels the best part of being in practice here in Shreveport is the sense of family within the community. “This small town really makes you feel like you are an integral part of something big”, said Woerner. Our community is the reason she wanted to take a teaching position at the very institution where she trained. As a faculty member, she feels it is a privilege to care for patients, and she passes this sentiment on to the resident surgeons who will one day be the future of the specialty.

While in Shreveport, Dr. Woerner met her husband Garrett Houk. He is a B-52 pilot at Barksdale Air Force Base. In September of this past year, they welcomed their first child, Eli Woerner Houk. Dr. Woerner loves spending time with her family. She also enjoys fishing, cooking, and working out. When their family has the opportunity to vacation, they enjoy any place with a beach.

Dr. Jennifer Woerner currently treats patients at two clinic locations, one at the Ambulatory Care Clinic on the LSU campus and one at Willis- Knighton South. Dr. Woerner’s practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery includes: cleft and craniofacial surgery, management of positional plagiocephaly, extraction of teeth, placement of dental implants, trauma reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, minor cosmetic procedures, laser hair removal and laser skin resurfacing.

Along with the chairman, Dr. G.E.

Ghali, Dr. Woerner is one of the cleft and craniofacial surgeons on the Ark- La-Tex Craniofacial and Cleft Team affiliated with LSU Health and Willis- Knighton and the Cleft Lip and Palate Team at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. “We have one of the largest accredited teams in the region that cares for children and young adults from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama”, states Dr. Woerner. Our multi-disciplinary team cares for hundreds of children affected by cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, and other facial abnormalities. Caring for these children brings Dr. Woerner great joy. She hopes to continue to help build these teams for many years to come, preserving them as a pillar within our community for children with cleft and craniofacial abnormalities.

Mentoring female students and surgeons is another priority for Dr. Woerner. “My philosophy is, the sky is the limit”, she said. “There is a myth out there that as a woman you can’t have it all. That you can’t have an education, start a career, and raise a family all at the same time, but that idea couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s not easy, but it can be done. It just takes hard work, dedication, some help from your family and friends, and a little bit of luck. The glass ceiling only exists if you believe in it!” Dr. Woerner credits both male and female mentors for their guidance and support. One of her best female mentors was a professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery where she attended dental school. “Dr. Franci Stavropolous became an oral surgeon in this field when very few women practiced. She inspired me to pursue this career path, and we remain good friends today.” While in Shreveport, Dr. Jane Eggerstedt has also been an exceptional mentor. “She is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon and one of the only female Deans at our institution. She has counseled me through some of my toughest personal and professional times, and for that I am forever grateful.” Overall, her greatest mentor and ally has been her Chairman Dr. G.E. Ghali. “He has always treated me fairly, been supportive of my endeavors, and encouraged me to advance within our specialty. He truly cares about our community, our program, and the residents he trains. I can’t help but to want to follow his example.”