Claudia Orellana, MD

Dr. Orellana was born and raised in Ecuador. She developed her passion for teaching and medicine at an early age when she participated in literacy and planned pregnancy campaigns in her home country. She came to the United States to obtain her college degree at Florida Southern College, learning English as she studied and successfully graduating within 2 years. She then moved to Shreveport, LA, where she was offered a scholarship to obtain a master’s degree in Biochemistry from LSU Health Shreveport. It was during this time that she met her former husband and had her two adored children, Sami and Hanna. Dr. Orellana started medical school at LSU Health Shreveport while raising her two young children and managing the family business. It was a challenging yet fulfilling balance between family, educational, and occupational responsibilities. Dr. Orellana’s most difficult challenge was the loss of her twin brother when she was in her second year of medical school. This loss propelled her desire to help others during their most vulnerable states. She completed her residency in child and adolescent psychiatry while battling cancer and its complications. Her strong faith helped her to stay focused and resilient, allowing her to draw on her personal experiences to help others. She has been part of Willis Knighton as a psychiatrist and has served as medical director for several Medicaid Rehabilitation agencies. In addition, she has provided services to a therapeutic group home for female teens in DCFS custody, contracted with the VA to serve our nations’ veterans, and has also been sworn as a deputy coroner for Caddo Parish, all while maintaining her private practice in Shreveport. Dr. Orellana is excited to walk the same hallways she once walked as a student and psychiatric resident, now as a clinical associate professor at LSU Health Shreveport. Her goal is to pass on to future medical professionals the knowledge she has gained thanks to her alma mater. In her spare time, Dr. Orellana enjoys relaxing to the soothing sounds of the water and watching the sunset while indulging in the fresh aroma of coffee, as it brings her closer to memories of her beloved home, Ecuador. She recharges her energy by spending time with her children and family, traveling, doing decor and renovation projects for others, and writing short stories.