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Meet the Team
Meet Dr. Hoyt
Alice Hoyt, M.D., F.A.A.A.A.I.
Dr. Hoyt is the allergist who leads the Institute. She has been practicing academic, evidence-based medicine for over a decade. Prior to medical school, she earned a degree in nutrition, so she is well versed in navigating the complexities of food allergies. She then completed training and earned board-certifications in internal medicine, pediatrics, and allergy & immunology.
During her fellowship at the University of Virginia, she launched a now national allergy-focused non-profit organization. At Vanderbilt University, she continued her food allergy-focused efforts before transitioning to Cleveland Clinic, where she helped launch its Food Allergy Center of Excellence. Check out Dr. Hoyt's publications here on PubMed.
After working at such world-renown institutions, Dr. Hoyt is excited to share her knowledge of food allergy with families in her home state. In addition to leading the Institute, Dr. Hoyt hosts the top-ranked food allergy podcast Food Allergy and Your Kiddo and chairs the nationally recognized non-profit organization Code Ana.
Meet Pam
Pamela Lestage, M.B.A.
Pam is the Institute's Comprehensive Care Navigator. She assists our patients in navigating all-things food allergy. Pam obtained her Masters in Business Administration from the prestigious Ourso College of Business then shared her talents working for a non-profit organization as the development manager. After starting a family, she focused her attention at home and now spends her time volunteering at her children’s schools. Since her daughter was diagnosed with peanut allergy as a young toddler, Pam has made it her mission to learn all there is to know about food allergies in order to help promote awareness and education. Pam brings that knowledge and her compassionate heart into each encounter with our patients.
Meet Melissa
Melissa Piazza Richard, M.S.W, L.C.S.W.
Melissa is the clinical psychotherapist who helps our families manage the psychologic challenges that accompany food allergy. In her 20+ years of experience, she has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings helping her patients with challenges ranging from anxiety to eating disorders to traumas and beyond.
Through her skills in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), Melissa has guided thousands of patients and families on their roads to wellness. Melissa is skilled in working with patients through the challenges of trauma reprocessing, anger management, and the anxieties that come with food allergy. She especially enjoys collaborating with families in child, adolescent, adult, couples, family, and group therapies.
Meet Alexis
Alexis Menasco, M.S.H.C.M., B.S.
Alexis, currently in medical school, is our Physician-in-Training and former Comprehensive Care Navigator. She has been a team member at the Institute since the Institute was established. She is a New Orleans native and fierce advocate for families, especially children, with food allergies. Alexis has robust experience in healthcare having volunteered with medical missions and multiple health-related outreach initiatives. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a minor in Sociology from Louisiana State University, then earned her Master in Healthcare Management from the University of New Orleans. She is currently working toward her MD.