The People Project:
Leslie Wood
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | March 4, 2023
Meet Leslie Wood!
Leslie grew up in Ponchatoula with an older sister. She went to St. Joseph Catholic School, then graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 2004. From there, she earned her Bachelors in Nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2008. She continued her education by receiving a Masters as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2013 (while working full-time as a nurse!). She has been with North Oaks ENT & Allergy Clinic since 2016.
She met her husband, Jeff, in 2007 at the downtown Spoga location before it moved. They were married in 2009, and have two sons, Jameson (10) and Christian (6). They also have a labrador mix, Paris.
We want to thank Leslie for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I originally thought about going into pre-med, but no one in my family was ever in healthcare. I decided to give nursing a try to see if I even liked it. Once I knew that nursing was my calling, I always had a drive to further my education, thus becoming a nurse practitioner. I have been at the ENT clinic for seven years, but I have been with the organization for years prior. I would like to say that North Oaks is my career home. I started as a nurse tech./secretary, then a nurse, and now a nurse practitioner. It is familiar and close to home.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I love sushi. I would have to say Cate Street. Any sushi, but I like the Boston Roll.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: My grandparents had a condo in Biloxi, and we would spend holidays, parts of the summer, and weekends there. The entire family would squeeze in, and the kids loved it! We would go to the mall, play putt-putt…it was the best!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Somewhere tropical! The Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Lucia.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: I love Top Gun and the sequel! The first concert I remember seeing is Aerosmith with my family. They were awesome!
Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?
A: The first concert I remember seeing is Aerosmith with my family. They were awesome!
Q: Do you have a favorite book? What do you love about it?
A: Because I was in school for so long, I always had to read with a purpose. I told myself I am going to work on reading for pleasure.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Be kind. Love your neighbor. Love each other. The world deserves more of that.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I would love to go to China and Japan. I love Asian cuisine. I would love to travel around and try all the different foods. And, learn how to cook them.
Q: What is your favorite type of music? Who is an artist or band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I love country music. I would love to see Chris Stapleton again.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Hi-Ho in Ponchatoula. We would go there after football games. Also, Mr. B's Pizza. That was the place to go after games, sports parties, birthday parties.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it and where would you go?
A: The Pope. I would love to have a conversation with him. And for him to give me any pearls of wisdom.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: How fortunate we are to have Southeastern here. To have that caliber of a university so close to us. How it is close to downtown, that it is a college town, but doesn't feel like it. People actually know each other.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Still working as a Nurse Practitioner here, following my kids and their interests, being a Mom and wife, enjoying family life.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: My Dad and I joke how we are going to open a cocktail bar when we retire. A Father/Daughter bar.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Where "my people' are. Jeff and our boys. Wherever they are is home.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: Housekeeper, definitely.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Asian food!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Either talk on the phone to my mom or sister or enjoy the peace and quiet.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was Bourbon to my Dad for his birthday and the last gift I received was from Jeff. He made a collage of photos of just the two of us for Valentine's Day.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Being a Mom and nurse.
Q: What is your favorite 2000s jam?
A: I liked alternative music. Something by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I like to exercise, cook, travel, anything outdoors, and making cocktails!
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The thumbs up!
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: I am proud of where I am in my career, that I am a mother, a wife. I am proud of my family unit. I am proud to be raising Christian loving people.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My family and cards or games for entertainment!
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: I would pay off all debt, buy a beach vacation home and a yacht to cruise around.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That I was a hardworking mother and spouse. I raised God-loving people and that I lived as an example to the best of my ability.
Leslie was nominated by Christie Barado
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