Ochsner/LSU Jointly Plan to Operate Health System in Shreveport and Monroe
SHREVEPORT, LA (Dec. 19, 2017) – The State of Louisiana (“State”), the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”) on behalf of Louisiana Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) and the LSUHSC-S Faculty Group Practice, the Biomedical Research Foundation (BRF) and Ochsner Health System (Ochsner) announced today that they have signed Letters of Intent (LOI) to create a new, long-term, Public Private Partnership agreement in Shreveport and Monroe. Under the proposed agreement, LSU and Ochsner will jointly form a new University Health System (UHS) structure to coordinate activities between the school and the healthcare delivery system. Under the new UHS structure, Ochsner will bring their nationally-recognized expertise to the management of operations for both University Health hospitals and the clinical activity of LSU’s Faculty Group Practice, and LSU will continue to successfully oversee the LSUHSC-S School of Medicine, School of Allied Health and School of Graduate Studies.
“Both Ochsner and LSU are proven partners who are committed to leading the advancement of healthcare in our state,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “LSU has significant strengths in medical education and research while Ochsner, also committed to academics and research, has tremendous expertise in operating hospitals and supporting the clinical activity of large physician groups. Working together, in a more integrated fashion, we plan to successfully deliver quality, cost-effective patient care in an environment that is optimal for the continued teaching and training of our state’s future doctors and healthcare professionals.”
“The Governor and his Administration have worked diligently to find a long-term solution for health care delivery at the safety net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe, as well as finding a way to support the LSU Health Sciences Center and its teaching mission,” LSU President F. King Alexander said. “We are pleased with the prospect of working with a world renowned experienced hospital partner, like Ochsner. LSU’s goals are simple: improve outcomes for today’s patients and train the nation’s finest healthcare professionals to serve the patients in the future. This proposed partnership will help us achieve our goals. “
“I appreciate Governor John Bel Edwards’ support of our health science center. I am optimistic that a formal agreement with Ochsner will be reached in the coming months, assisting LSU Health Shreveport in reaching its immense potential. The opportunity to strengthen our institution and community is very motivating,” stated LSU Health Chancellor G.E. Ghali.
The UHS structure under consideration would be governed by a new UHS board of directors and a separate Community Advisory Board made up of Shreveport and Monroe community members, and representatives from Ochsner, LSU and BRF to provide insight into the healthcare needs of the greater Shreveport and Monroe region.
“We at University Health are extremely pleased by this announcement today,” said Steve Skrivanos, University Health Board Chair. “We have been engaged in discussions with Ochsner for some time because of their healthcare expertise, experience and commitment to delivering high-quality care in our state. We are honored to have been able to improve access to care at the Shreveport and Monroe Hospitals and look forward to continuing to deliver our substantial expertise in advancing biomedical research, which will continue to be invaluable to both hospitals. The great work of the dedicated employees of University Health and their incredible care for patients is to be commended and they will be taken care of in this transition process.”
“In addition to the incredible opportunity to collaborate from an education and research perspective, we understand the responsibility of fulfilling the historic mission of both hospitals to serve and care for Medicaid and indigent patients in Shreveport and Monroe,” said Warner Thomas, President and CEO, Ochsner Health System. “Based on our strategic and clinical expertise, we look forward to improving and expanding care while working with LSU to drive healthcare innovation in our state. Together we can explore additional relationships in the region, new community partnerships and the creation of new care delivery models that delivers more value to patients, physicians and students in north Louisiana.”
Under the non-binding LOI, teams from both organizations will work toward finalizing the details of the new agreement in early 2018.
