Louisiana HR 394: CONDOLENCES: Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of Dr. L'Isaa LaChandra Gates

Bill Text

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 394
BY REPRESENTATIVE MENA
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of Dr. L'Isaa
LaChandra Gates.
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the passing, on May 25, 2026,
of Dr. L'Isaa LaChandra Gates; and
WHEREAS, L'Isaa LaChandra Gates was born on May 3, 1982, to Jeffery Gates and
CaSandra Cooper-Gates in New Orleans, Louisiana; she was educated in the Orleans Parish
Public School System and graduated from Benjamin Franklin Senior High School in 1999;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates attended Xavier University of Louisiana, where she received
a bachelor of science degree in biology/pre-medicine and graduated magna cum laude with
honors in biology and chemistry in 2003; she attended Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center in New Orleans and graduated with a doctor of medicine degree in 2007;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates completed a residency training program in pediatrics with the
LSU School of Medicine and began a practice in pediatrics with Westside Clinics, AMC,
where she eventually became a partner; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates's practice was merged into Ochsner for Children-Westside
Pediatrics, where she served as a senior attending physician; at the time of her passing, she
was scheduled to serve as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the developing Xavier
Ochsner College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates was an alumna of the Rosenblum Healthcare Institute and
Committee for a Better New Orleans/Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum; she was
a member of the Delgado Community College Care & Development of Young Children
Board of Advisors, where she provided her keen expertise in child care and commitment to
quality and affordable healthcare; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Gates was licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical
Examiners and the Louisiana Department of Education; she was a member of Alpha Omega
Alpha Medical, Beta Beta Beta Biological, Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemical, Alpha Epsilon
Delta Premedical, Delta Omega Public Health, and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership and
Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Mu, Mortar Board, and Phi Sigma Theta
Scholastic Honor Societies; she was also a member of the American Medical Association
and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates was a positive and visible role model in her community, and
she participated in the American Medical Association Doctors Back to School (STEM)
program and was a Junior Achievement Volunteer; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates championed the causes of numerous organizations, including
the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen
Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, and March of
Dimes; she gave selflessly to local initiatives that directly impacted women, minorities, and
the community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates was recognized for her efforts in philanthropy and received
awards from East Baton Rouge Parish, Jefferson Parish, the mayor of New Orleans, the New
Orleans City Council, the Legislature of Louisiana, the president, and congress; she was
recognized as Data News Weekly's 2013 Trailblazer, New Orleans Magazine's Top Female
Achiever, and Gambit Weekly's 40 Under 40; New Orleans City Business Magazine listed
her among its Ones to Watch and Women of the Year and lauded her as a Healthcare Hero;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates was a member of Second Mount Everest Baptist Church,
where she served in the choir, administrative office staff, Sunday school, and prayer
ministry; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gates is survived by her loving parents, Jeffery Gates and CaSandra
Cooper-Gates; grandmothers, Annie Dupree Cooper and Audrey Smith Gates; fiancé,
Dr. Derek Bardell; great-aunts, Fran Dupree and Beverly Dupree; great-uncle and godfather,
Isaac Dupree; godmother, Maxine Buckles; uncle, Lawrence Gates; "sister" and best friend,
Ebony Broussard; "big sister", Wendy Lewis; godchild, Tai Linton; "bonus aunt", Brenda
Wilson; and a host of cousins, extended relatives, and friends; she will be deeply missed, but
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the legacy of her love and commitment to helping others through her work shall live on in
the hearts and minds of those who were privileged to have known and loved her.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Dr. L'Isaa
LaChandra Gates and does hereby extend sincere wishes that her family, friends, colleagues,
and loved ones find comfort in their shared memories of her beautiful life.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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