Norman E. McSwain, Jr. MD, Spirit of Charity Trauma Center

Offering Expert Trauma Care to the New Orleans Community

As the only Level 1 Trauma Center in New Orleans and the Southern Louisiana region, the Norman E. McSwain, Jr, MD, Spirit of Charity Trauma Center has become a pillar in providing care to critically injured trauma patients. For victims of major trauma, Level 1 Trauma Centers offer a high-level response while also hosting research that involves these patients and serving as a community center for prevention and outreach programs.

Our team at University Medical Center New Orleans includes physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians, and ancillary staff who work together to evaluate, resuscitate, and expeditiously treat patients. Treating more than 4,000 patients each year, our trauma center has become one of the busiest inner-city Level I trauma centers in the country.

Serving South Louisiana in many ways

Our trauma center does more than treat patients—our partnerships with LSU and Tulane Schools of Medicine help us lead the industry in trauma education, research, and prevention. Our trauma center also helps to reduce unintentional injuries by offering programs for all ages to the community.

Stop the Bleed class registration underway!

Learn life-saving techniques with the Stop the Bleed course, presented by the Level 1 Trauma Center at University Medical Center, in partnership with LSU Health New Orleans and the Tulane University School of Medicine.

Learn more about this and other community outreach programs on our Injury Prevention page.

History

Trauma can change a person’s life in an instant. For those under 44 years of age, trauma is the leading cause of death and is responsible for more lost productivity than cancer, heart disease, and stroke combined. The Level 1 Trauma Center at University Medical Center New Orleans has been verified by the American College of Surgeons since April 9, 1996. We are still one of only two such centers in the state.

With a Level 1 Trauma Center, patients can rest assured knowing:

• They will receive all the care and resources necessary to recover and get back to life.
• Our trauma center has the resources for care available around the clock.
• We provide trauma prevention programs, training for health care personnel, and continuing research to find ways to improve the current management of trauma care.

Research

As a Level I Trauma Center, it is essential that we perform research activities that advance knowledge and optimize care of our patients. LSU and Tulane Schools of Medicine have a core of experienced trauma surgeons and an academic infrastructure that enables us to produce effective research and scholarly activities.

The American College of Surgeons concept of scholarship entails 8 elements which are:

• Discovery
• Leadership in major trauma-related organizations
• Funding
• Dissemination of information
• Application of clinical knowledge
• Participation in clinical discussions and conferences
• Support of resident participation in scholarly activities
• Mentorship of junior faculty, resident, and fellows