Ochsner LSU Health Celebrates Six Years of Community Healing and Innovation in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana – This month marks a special milestone for the Ochsner LSU Health System, as it celebrates its sixth anniversary. Born out of a unique 50/50 partnership between Ochsner Health and Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Shreveport, this integrated academic health system has made quite a splash since it was established in 2018.
Investing in the Future
Over the past six years, Ochsner LSU Health has made a whopping $275 million capital investment, which has laid the groundwork for remarkable development. The goals have been straightforward: to improve facilities and infrastructure, expand access to healthcare through new clinic and hospital locations, and elevate the level of innovation by incorporating the latest advancements in medical technology. And guess what? They’ve really delivered!
Building an Impressive Network
Reflecting on the journey, it’s hard not to be amazed at what has unfolded. Ochsner LSU Health has successfully added more than one million square feet to its facilities. This includes the number of clinics skyrocketing from just five to over 50 clinic offices across more than 20 locations. Notably, three Community Health Centers were established—two in Shreveport and one in Monroe—to ensure that even the most underserved areas receive essential care.
The numbers tell a compelling story: outpatient visits at Ochsner LSU Health clinics in Shreveport soared by 94%, and the healthcare team expanded to include more than 100 new physicians. Can you believe it? The workforce has grown by more than 700 employees, bringing the total number of dedicated professionals to over 4,200 working across North Louisiana!
A Hospital Transformed
One of the defining moments for Ochsner LSU Health came during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding swiftly to the urgent need for ICU beds, the team initiated renovations at the St. Mary Medical Center (formerly known as CHRISTUS Schumpert) and transformed it into a brand-new hospital for women’s and children’s services. This shift freed up space at their flagship hospital, the Academic Medical Center on Kings Highway, for more critical care patients.
Today, the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport St. Mary Medical Center proudly holds a Leapfrog Grade “A,” and in 2023, they welcomed over 2,400 newborns into the world—a testament to their dedication to quality care.
Innovative Behavioral Health Solutions
In addition to their other accomplishments, Ochsner LSU Health partnered with Oceans Healthcare in 2021 to unveil Louisiana Behavioral Health, a facility dedicated to inpatient and outpatient behavioral healthcare services for adolescents, adults, and seniors. This vital service directly addresses growing mental health needs in the community.
Bringing Healthcare to Your Home
Embracing the latest technology, Ochsner LSU Health utilizes telemedicine to bring specialized care right to patients, whether that’s at rural facilities or even in the comfort of their homes. With 24/7 remote urgent care visits available for minor ailments, patients can find relief from issues like allergies and stomach problems without the need to travel far.
Additionally, the Ochsner Digital Medicine program engages patients in monitoring health challenges such as high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes from a distance, which helps improve outcomes while minimizing clinic visits. Through the MyOchsner portal, patients can easily schedule virtual appointments, request refills, and check test results with just a few clicks.
Looking Ahead
As they celebrate six years of incredible growth, Ochsner LSU Health looks to the future with optimism, driven by their mission to serve, teach, heal, discover, lead, and innovate. They remain committed to training the next generation of healthcare professionals while delivering top-notch care to people of all ages.
For anyone eager to learn more about their impressive progress and offerings, the team invites you to visit their website. Here’s to many more years of healing, advancement, and community support!
