David Gaines

As Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer for Ochsner Health, David Gaines is responsible for sharing Ochsner’s story and engaging internal and external audiences through marketing, communications, philanthropy, community outreach and government relations functions. 



Gaines leads Ochsner’s marketing, public relations and internal communications teams, and he also oversees the organization’s philanthropy efforts to maximize both internal and external support of Ochsner and its mission. 

Gaines joined Ochsner Health in 2010. Most recently, he served on the executive team as the Chief Executive Officer of Health & Wellness Solutions and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. Prior to joining Ochsner, he was the Chief Operating Officer of MNS Ventures Inc., a venture capital investment firm, where he was responsible for the business operations of several start-up companies in the Southeast and Midwest Regions. He was also President of M&G Shipping/Unishippers, an MNS Ventures investment franchise, providing transportation solutions to companies across the U.S. 

Gaines attended the University of Minnesota Graduate School of Business and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of New Orleans.