LCMC HEALTH REFLECTS ON STATE OF HEALTHCARE TWENTY YEARS AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA

From recovery to innovation, LCMC Health leads the way in building a stronger, healthier Gulf South 

NEW ORLEANS – Today, as the city and Gulf Coast mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, LCMC Health reflects on a devastating event that shaped the City of New Orleans and the way the region approaches healthcare.   

From Devastation to a New Vision for Healthcare 

On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck as a Category 4 storm, flooding 80 percent of New Orleans and leaving parts of the healthcare system permanently shuttered. Out of that crisis, LCMC Health was born. Beginning as a partnership between Children’s Hospital New Orleans, now Manning Family Children’s, and Touro, leaders recognized the need for a unified system to restore access and ensure high-quality care. 

“While Hurricane Katrina devastated our region, including our healthcare infrastructure, it also presented us with an opportunity to reimagine how we deliver care,” said Greg Feirn, CEO of LCMC Health. “As we reflect what we overcame as a community, let’s celebrate our progress over the last twenty years. With the dedication of our staff and the resilience of our community, the possibilities for what we can achieve in the next twenty years are truly extraordinary.” 

Today, LCMC Health is an eight-hospital system, including three academic centers of excellence in partnership with LSU and Tulane, serving as the region’s largest training ground for future healthcare professionals. 

Building a Healthier Future 

“As we look at where we are today, twenty years after Katrina, we are better prepared and equipped to serve the people of this community, and we have created access in a strong and sustainable way,” said Dr. John Heaton, President and Chief Medical Officer of LCMC Health. “We have united our hospitals into an integrated health system of specialized services. With this strong foundation, we are shaping a brighter future for healthcare across our region.” 

LCMC Health’s unique role in the region includes: 

• Behavioral health leadership: Filling gaps with initiatives such as the Seeds of NOLA Trauma Recovery Center and the Morgan Rae Center for Hope. 

• Critical specialty care: University Medical Center is home to the region’s only Level I Trauma Center and Verified Burn Center, providing care for some of the region’s most vulnerable patients. 

• Maternal health excellence: All five birthing hospitals (East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeside Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, Touro and West Jefferson Medical Center) have earned Birth Ready or Birth Ready+ status, reflecting commitment to safer births and better maternal and infant outcomes. 

• Pediatric care: Manning Family Children’s remains the only freestanding children’s hospital in the region, providing specialized care for the state’s youngest patients. 

• Community-based care: 

• New Orleans East Hospital serves as the only hospital in New Orleans East – a true community hub, offering wellness initiatives like farmer’s markets and dance classes. 

• Lakeview Hospital is Northshore’s only Level II Trauma Center and provides extensive outpatient services. 

State of Healthcare Forum 

LCMC Health, in partnership with The Advocate, recently hosted a State of Healthcare Forum, bringing together hospital leaders and physicians to reflect on two decades of transformational healthcare in New Orleans. The forum showcased how the region has rebuilt from devastation to become a leader in innovation, access and quality of care. Their full discussion can be viewed online on Sept. 3 at NOLA.com. 

Recognized Excellence 
Our hospitals and providers are consistently recognized for excellence in patient care, quality and outcomes. LCMC Health hospitals are nationally ranked in multiple specialties, with several programs holding accreditations from leading organizations such as the American College of Surgeons and The Joint Commission. We are proud of our commitment to innovation and advancing care, which has earned us recognition not only for clinical excellence, but also for our efforts in research, education, and community partnerships.  

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