In March 2009, during a Spring Break trip to New Orleans, HeartGift Board member Morris Gottesman mentioned to a friend his dream of starting a HeartGift chapter in his hometown of New Orleans.  That same week, Morris had a meeting with heart surgeon Dr. Joseph Caspi and Deb LeBlanc of Children's Hospital New Orleans, and his dream became a reality.  By early 2010, HeartGift had expanded to not only another city, but to another state, and HeartGift New Orleans was begun.

On February, 20, 2010, HeartGift New Orleans welcomed their first patient, an 8 month old boy named Pasha and his mother Josephine, from Kenya.  After successful surgery by Dr. Caspi for his congenital heart defect, Pasha returned to Kenya with the promise of a healthy future. 

According to Deb LeBlanc, Cardiothoracic Surgery Nurse Coordinator at Children's Hospital, "we are thankful for the opportunity to serve our fellow man, namely Pasha, Josephine and her husband Michael.  It was our pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful heart-felt endeavor."

Pasha and Josephine were hosted by New Orleans Board Chairman Brent Ramirez and his wife Michelle, and their two childen.