Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
LAFAYETTE – Today, Ochsner Lafayette General opened the doors to its Community Health Center, the newly renovated home of the former Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic. The $3 million project received generous support from LHC Group as well as Ochsner Health.
With a goal of providing and promoting health equity for all, the Ochsner Lafayette General Community Health Center, located at 1317 Jefferson Street, is designed to deliver primary care as well as behavioral health and social services. Over time, smoking cessation and diabetes education classes will be added. The space is designated a historical landmark and maintaining that status was considered throughout the renovation.
“This is a tremendously valuable new asset for our community, and we couldn’t be more pleased to support our partners at Ochsner Health in making this project a reality,” said Lolanda Brown, LHC Group’s chief diversity officer. “Our organizations share a commitment to provide greater access to healthcare for all communities – particularly those that are underserved. That commitment starts right here in our hometown.”
Community Health Center Details:
Ochsner Health has committed more than $100 million to open and operate 15 community health centers across the state. The Lafayette center is 9,700 square feet and features 12 exam rooms staffed by four primary care providers. Ancillary services will include a lab draw area, X-ray, EKG and other point-of-care testing.
“Our goal is to work in collaboration, not competition, with other community partners to provide greater access to care,” stated Kevin Green, Ochsner Vice President of Clinic Operations for Community Health Centers. “Meeting patients where they are to help proactively manage any chronic diseases will help us improve overall health and well-being.”
The Ochsner Lafayette General Community Health Center will serve the Downtown, Port Rico and Freetown communities – areas that have been sorely lacking healthcare resources. As a true community center, Ochsner Lafayette General has partnered with Bare Walls and Basin Arts to showcase the work of local artists in the new space. This partnership with the arts community provides residual income to working artists, increases the health of our creative economy and enhances the overall experience of patients at the center.
History:
The historic property, built in 1937 by the Saloom family and located in the historic “Freetown-Port Rico Coterie,” has the distinction of being Lafayette’s oldest medical facility. It is also the first site in Lafayette that provided medical care to Black people in our community. It first served as the St. Anne’s Infirmary, then as a free clinic under the Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic from 2000-2016, after which the building and property was gifted to the Lafayette General Foundation by the former Clinic Board of Directors.
“In the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, this area was identified as the area with the greatest need for primary care,” said Boyd Anderson, board chairman, Ochsner Lafayette General Foundation. “When the building was gifted to the Ochsner Lafayette General Foundation in 2016, the hope was that one day the Foundation would open a Community Health Center. With a lead gift from LHC Group and other corporate gifts from Viemed, SCP Health, Cardiovascular Institute of the South, Acadian Companies and Gachassin Law Firm, we were able to do just that. We are grateful for these corporate partners and for their commitment to health equity,” continued Anderson.
The Ochsner Layette General Community Health Center is open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 337-703-6500.
Ochsner Health is committed to building a healthier region to live and thrive in and is leading the charge to improve the state of health for Louisiana by 2030. Healthy State by 2030 is driven by a comprehensive strategy to enhance healthcare access, improve health equity and health outcomes. Our vision is bold: Louisiana will be ranked in the top 40 by 2030. To learn more about Healthy State, visit Ochsner.org/HealthyState
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About Ochsner Lafayette General
Ochsner Lafayette General has more than 5,500 employees and serves 220,000 patients per year. The organization includes Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital, Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital, Ochsner St. Martin Hospital, Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics, Ochsner Acadia General Hospital, Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital, Ochsner American Legion Hospital and a number of clinics, urgent cares and professional centers. Ochsner LGMC is the only Level II Trauma Center in Southwest Louisiana. Both Ochsner LGMC and Ochsner UHC are major teaching hospitals, providing graduate medical education across many disciplines.