The LAFP is excited to introduce Dr. Nora Lamartine as our May Member of the Month. She is a board-certified family physician dedicated to women’s health. She joined the Kenner Family Medicine Residency program as the FM/OB faculty in the fall of 2025. She assists with all things mother-baby, rounding on inpatient and nursery services and precepting in the outpatient clinic.
Dr. Lamartine describes her path to Family Medicine as, “ I went through high school thinking I would be a performer- ballet, singing, tap, acting. College was a last-minute decision. I took calculus as my math/science class while pursuing a musical theater degree and began to realize I was meant to be a scientist. I did not consider medical school until late in college as I realized pursuing a PhD was not for me. (To this day I am fascinated by organic chemistry). I owe my admission to medical school to my chemistry advisor who found Ross University and encouraged my application with a letter of recommendation. While in medical school I fantasized about trading medical care for food, work and other necessities in a rural community. I went on to a Family Medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts and was well prepared for full scope rural family practice. As my training progressed, I fell more in love with being my community’s trusted physician.”
We asked Dr. Lamartine about how she chose to enter an OB Fellowship. She states, ”I knew I wanted to do an OB fellowship the first time I consulted OB for a C-section. It was a mother who I had been treating with Subutex. She turned her life around to prepare for the challenge of motherhood. I was thrilled to be with her in labor, such an important moment in her life. Ultimately, I was in the room during the C-section as the baby’s physician, but I was crushed not to be the one attending the delivery. Pregnancy care has a special patient-physician relationship, and I wanted to be trained to care for my amazing patients however they may deliver.
She continues, “After fellowship I worked at an FQHC and small regional hospital in rural New Mexico for 7 years. Part of my practice was care for uninsured and undocumented pregnant people. This quickly became an important and trusted resource for the community. Attending one of my own patients’ deliveries was such a privilege, it would often be the high point of my week, even at 3am!”
Dr. Lamartine talks about how her personal experiences influences and inspires her work as “My current practice has been deeply influenced by my previous rural, FHQC, underserved practice. I am constantly learning to tailor my skills to the needs of my patients and learners. Family Medicine affords huge flexibility across practice settings. I enjoy the challenge of enhancing my knowledge of certain conditions based on my patients’ needs.”
She continues, “In the last few years, I was called to provide stories about the realities of practice and resident training in rural family medicine for state and national politicians. This has become a side passion that is surprisingly fulfilling. As a specialty we really have voice and power in policy decisions, our inclusive care model gives us insight that other siloed specialties can’t imagine.”
Dr. Lamartine contributes her day-to-day joy in her professional life to the residents at Kenner. She continues, “The residents in Kenner are so brilliant! I really enjoy watching them experience the magic of family medicine. The moment when the outcome has been influenced by their longitudinal relationship with their patient. It is deeply satisfying and humbling to mentor residents.”
Dr. Lamartine is married with 2 children. Outside of medicine she enjoys biking, restoring antique furniture, and art. When I am away from the office, I try to keep the laptop shut to enjoy time playing make believe with my toddlers and traveling.”
Please join us in congratulating Nora E. Lamartine, MD as our May member of the month.
LAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Louisiana family physicians in the Weekly Family Medicine Update and on the LAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different LAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting Lee Ann Albert at