Judge Harris and Dr. Burnell Named to Boards

Gina Bradley Tuttle, Chairman, Opelousas General Hospital Authority Board of Trustees announces the appointment of two new board members.

Attorney and retired Opelousas City Court Judge Vanessa Harris has been named to the Board of Commissioners of Hospital Service District No. 2 of St. Landry Parish effective June 7, 2025. Harris was also named to the Opelousas General Hospital Authority Board of Trustees effective July 1, 2025. Both appointments are for a six-year term. Harris replaces Alton Broussard, who had served on both boards since 2001.

“The OGHS family is grateful to Mr. Alton Broussard for his commitment and contributions in shaping healthcare in St. Landry Parish,” said Tuttle. “We proudly welcome Vanessa Harris and look forward to the energy and unique perspective she will bring to the Board of Trustees.”

In addition, Michael Burnell, M.D., was added to the Opelousas General Hospital Authority Board of Trustees for a six-year term effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Burnell replaces Kerry Thibodeaux, M.D., who served a six-year term that began in 2019.

“Dr. Thibodeaux served his term admirably and we are thankful for his wisdom and passion for healthcare,” added Tuttle. “Dr. Burnell is a well-respected, longstanding member of the St. Landry Parish medical community, and we look forward to his insight and fresh ideas.”

Harris is a native of Washington, Louisiana. She received a B.S. in Computer Science from Southern University in 1985, and a J.D. from Southern University Law Center in 1988. She has been in private practice with Harris & Harris Law Firm since 1988.

After serving as an Assistant District Attorney in St. Landry Parish from 1988 – 2008, Harris made history when she became the first woman and African American judge to preside over Opelousas City Court. She took office as Opelousas City Judge on January 1, 2009 and retired on December 31, 2020. She is married to Senic M. Batiste, has three daughters, Halli Kennerson, Harlie Gray, and Hydi Menson, and four grandchildren, Bracen, Sydni, Skai and Harper.

Dr. Burnell was born and raised in Walker, Louisiana. He received a B.S. in Biochemistry from LSU and continued his studies at LSU Health Science Center School of Medicine. After completing a family medicine residency, Dr. Burnell began practicing as a primary care physician in 1999. He has been in private practice in Opelousas since 2001.

In addition to his private practice and working as a hospitalist at Opelousas General, Dr. Burnell serves as Medical Director for Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care, Senior Village Nursing Home and St Landry Parish Fire District #2 in Port Barre. He is a preceptor at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, serves on the board of The Wound Treatment Center and is a certified wound care physician. He is married to Rachael Tate Burnell, M.D., has five children, Benjamin Burnell, Collin Burnell, Grace Burnell, Olivia Hebert and Jackson Burnell, and one grandchild, Westin Burnell.

Opelousas General Health System is led by a nine-member Board of Trustees who help guide hospital policy and operations. Both new board members will begin their service immediately.