After completing his training at the University of Texas and Duke University, Dr. King joined the United States Air Force and served as a major at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas. Since that time, he has cared for children all over the state of Louisiana, starting with Ochsner in 1972. Dr. King is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology. In 1975, Dr. King and Dr. Noel Mills invented the cardiac umbrella to close holes in the heart without surgery, and was the first to implant the device in humans. This technology forever changed how structural defects in the heart are repaired, both in children and adults.Dr. King believes that the greatest responsibility you can give another person is the care of your child and he has dedicated his life and work to educating others on this important journey. He has given numerous lectures to students preparing to enter healthcare at all the universities in our area as well as presented many times across the world. He has encouraged and pushed many to achieve more than they thought possible. Dr. King loves being a physician. He knows that all his talents are God given and that medicine is just God's extending hand. He is widely published and has received many honors for his pioneering research and compassionate dedication to children. He considers the real heroes are the brave children and their families that trust him with the greatest responsibility and that honor him by allowing him to be part of their family.In 1978, Dr. King relocated to Monroe, Louisiana to care for children with heart disease and establish a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in an underserved area. Dr. King has served the Children's Special Health Services for over 30 years, assisting those children with heart disease and their families that have no other means of receiving care. In 2001, Dr. King and his staff began the first annual pediatric symposium titled Once Upon A Time… New Stories for Pediatrics held at the Monroe Civic Center arena. National, regional and local faculty educate physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, students and other health care professionals on cutting edge technology and information related to pediatric healthcare. In 2015, Dr. King rejoined the Ochsner Health and continues his dedication to the children in north Louisiana. He is proud to be part of an outstanding pediatric cardiac service and enjoys the collaboration with other subspecialists.
