The LSU Health New Orleans Hurricane Katrina Oral History Collection is a collection of recorded interviews (accompanied with transcriptions) with people who worked at LSU Health New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005. The interviews began in May 2025 and are ongoing.
This project is a part of the LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive created in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall.
A link to the curatorial statement for this collection can be found in the sidebar of this page.
This collection is in process and will grow to include more interviews. If you were employed by LSUHSC-NO during the time of this event and would like to be contacted for an interview, please email DigitalScholar@lsuhsc.edu.
Every effort has been made to make the accompanying interview transcription PDFs as accessible as possible. Please email DigitalScholar@lsuhsc.edu if you encounter any issues.
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David Troendle Interview
David Troendle and Chandler D. Smith
This interview of David Troendle was conducted by Chandler Smith on December 17, 2025. Interview transcribed by Sam Howat. David worked at LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans from 1968-2011.
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Kurt Varner Interview
Kurt J. Varner and Chandler D. Smith
This interview of Dr. Kurt Varner was conducted by Chandler Smith on June 13, 2025. Interview transcribed by John Gore.
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Rodney Walter Jr. Interview
Rodney Walter Jr. and Chandler D. Smith
This interview of Rodney Walter Jr. was conducted by Chandler Smith on August 22, 2025. Interview transcribed by Sam Howat.