Lakeview Regional joins Tulane Medical Center

LCMC Health MidAmerica Division’s Lakeview Hospital in Covington, Louisiana, has become a campus of Tulane Medical Center effective May 7, leveraging the expertise and resources of both hospitals to enhance the care provided to all its patients.

This new association allows Lakeview Regional to work more closely with Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans and its Lakeside Hospital for Women and Children campus in Metairie. All three campuses are a part of the LCMC Health MidAmerica Division, which operates multiple hospitals and other healthcare facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Kansas.

“Greater alignment and integration among our facilities, physicians and staff provides multiple benefits to patients and caregivers alike,” said Walter C. Flower, chair of the Tulane University Healthcare System Governing Board that directs Tulane Medical Center. “This change provides us strength as a hospital and a health system. And it facilitates the sharing of best practices across all campuses, while expanding services and increasing access to specialty care on the Northshore.”

The alignment is especially well timed given the recent closure of Louisiana Heart Hospital in Lacombe, which has created an increased demand for healthcare services at our nearby Lakeview Regional campus, said Bret Kolman, the campus’ CEO.

“We are blessed to have been in a position to help meet the needs of those affected by the heart hospital’s closing,” said Kolman, who noted that the Lakeview campus has hired nearly 20 former heart hospital physicians and more than 100 former employees, while also seeing a significant increased need for patient care services.

"Now, by joining Tulane Medical Center, we’re in a position to do even more by adding new specialties, additional physicians and an enhanced emphasis on research and clinical trials that’s unprecedented for our Northshore region." - Bret Kolman, the campus’ CEO

“Now, by joining Tulane Medical Center, we’re in a position to do even more by adding new specialties, additional physicians and an enhanced emphasis on research and clinical trials that’s unprecedented for our Northshore region.”

Lakeview Regional patients and caregivers now have more convenient access to the cutting-edge training, research and clinical trials led by Tulane Medical Center partner Tulane University School of Medicine, he said. And when a higher level of care is needed, access to the advanced treatments and services of Tulane is streamlined and simplified.

“We’re looking forward to many positive changes associated with this new alignment – but there are also a few key things that will not change,” said Dr. William Lunn, president and CEO of all three campuses that comprise Tulane Health System. “Lakeview Regional will always maintain its commitment to providing the Northshore community with expert, compassionate care.

“Its culture of patient care and employee and physician engagement are among the best in the nation, and we look forward to applying many of the Lakeview Regional learnings and processes at our Southshore campuses to improve patient care throughout our region.”

According to Paul Salles, president and CEO of the Louisiana Hospital Association, alignment among healthcare providers is a growing trend nationwide to create efficiencies and share resources and best practices.

“Throughout the region and country, patients and caregivers are realizing the benefits of greater alignment within a larger system of care,” he said when the change was announced late last year. “We applaud this decision and are eager to see it bear fruit in the communities served by these organizations.”

All involved campuses are continuing to provide compassionate, quality care without interruption throughout this transition. There are no plans to eliminate jobs as a result of this new structure, and facility leaders on all campuses will maintain their day-to-day responsibilities and functions.

The hospital’s name will remain Lakeview Hospital , with the addition of “A campus of Tulane Medical Center,” as long-term branding strategies are considered.

“Every decision we make is done with the goal of improving patient care and the patient experience,” said M. L. Lagarde III, president of LCMC Health MidAmerica Division. “I am confident this change will improve both – in our North- and Southshore facilities. I am grateful for the leaders on our medical staffs, on our governing boards and in our hospitals who helped make this possible.”