In Step with Da Hawts

LSU Health New Orleans faculty participation in marching groups is not limited to males. Three female LSU Health New Orleans faculty are members of the Amelia Earhawts – recently voted the Rex Duke Carnival 2019 Best Marching Krewe by Gambit readers. Drs. Lisa Peacock, Chair of OB/GYN; Mary Coleman, Chair of Family Medicine; and Jayne Weiss, Chair of Ophthalmology, belong to the group established in 2014.

Inspired by Amelia Earhart’s stop at Lakefront Airport on her way to California where she took off on her final flight, the group’s name took a decidedly New Orleans twist. New Orleanians don’t say, “hart;” we say “hawt.” Dressed in pert, tomato-red, retro flight attendant costumes, the Amelia Earhawts have danced their way into the hawt of the community. Besides marching in an increasing number of Mardi Gras parades since 2015, Da Hawts have performed at fundraisers and events including Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides, Opera Ball, FestiGals, Krewe of Jingle, Krewe of Boo, LASPCA Howlin’ Success, Angel’s Place, Girls on the Run, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year, and the Boycott Bowl.

According to Dr. Weiss, “LSU Health department chairs work hard and play hard,” a philosophy right in keeping with the one question Da Hawts ask – “Can you handle the turbulence?”