University Hospital & Clinics Physician Named Master Pediatrician

The Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (La AAP) honors Richard Howes, M.D., FAAP, as one of two “Master Pediatricians” selected in the state. The La AAP defines “Master Pediatrician” as a superb clinician who has contributed to the health and welfare of children in Louisiana for at least 30 years, through direct patient care and child advocacy. Pediatricians given this title are also recognized as having served as an educator and outstanding role model to students and young physicians.

Throughout most of his 39 years as a pediatrician, Dr. Howes has served on the faculty of the LSU School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at the former University Medical Center, now University Hospital & Clinics (UHC). For 30 of those years, he served as Chairman of the Pediatric Department at UHC and continues to serve as President of the Medical Staff. (His ties to UHC go back to his days as a college student working as a blood bank technician at Lafayette Charity Hospital in 1968.)

Since the reopening of outpatient pediatric services at UHC under the new management of Lafayette General Health in 2013, Dr. Howes has treated children with ADHD, Autism, developmental disabilities, Pediatric HIV, Sickle Cell Anemia and other chronic illnesses.

President of the La AAP, Pediatrician Bryan Sibley, M.D., FAAP, says Dr. Howes has completely devoted himself to improving the health and well-being of children, specifically those with special health care needs. Board Certified in Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics, Dr. Howes’ extensive work in this field earned him the “Bettina Hillman Award for Service to Special Needs Children” in 2006.

“So many children across the state with special health care needs do not have access to the kind of care that Dr. Howes provides,” says UHC CEO Jared Stark, FACHE. “We are fortunate and proud to have him at UHC.”

Dr. Howes has chaired a variety of committees and mentored hundreds of medical students, residents and practicing physicians. “He represents the embodiment of everything we, as pediatricians, hold dear, and he is truly a ‘Master Pediatrician,’” says Sibley.

The “Master Pediatrician” award will be presented to Dr. Howes at the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics annual CME program, August 21-23, in New Orleans. Dr. Howes will, at that time, make a presentation on “Reflections on the Changes in Pediatrics from 1968 to Present.”