In a significant gesture to foster education and improve community health, Our Lady of the Lake Health has pledged a $5 million donation to Southern University and A&M College’s College of Nursing and Allied Health. This generous contribution will support the university in expanding its educational offerings and resources for both students and faculty, while aligning with OLOL’s mission to advance healthcare outcomes and tackle pressing health disparities in the Baton Rouge area.
“This collaboration is an investment in the future of healthcare in our community,” stated Tina Schaffer, vice president and chief diversity officer of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. “By supporting students at Southern University A&M College, we are building a stronger, healthier Baton Rouge and creating opportunities that will benefit generations to come.”
The funding will be directed towards establishing community health outreach initiatives driven by comprehensive local needs assessments. A collaborative effort spearheaded by the foundations of Our Lady of the Lake and the Southern University System aims to address social determinants affecting health in North Baton Rouge. This initiative intends to bring together local leaders, healthcare professionals, and academic experts to foster sustainable improvements in community health.
Changing Healthcare in Louisiana
“We are honored to create a community health partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Health,” remarked Sandra Brown, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health. “This partnership will revolutionize how we provide healthcare to the citizens of Louisiana and will reinforce our commitment to educate a diverse nursing workforce to serve those most in need.”
The investment will enhance clinical training opportunities for Southern University students, particularly through optimized rotations in North Baton Rouge, allowing for hands-on experience. Additionally, the partnership will focus on evaluating and expanding allied health workforce development programs to better meet the needs of the community and industry.
Southern University’s nursing program stands out as a leader in the state, recognized as the largest producer of Black nurses in Louisiana and the foremost provider of Black male nurses nationally. The program extends its reach beyond campus boundaries through initiatives such as the Jag Mobile, which delivers free healthcare services and screenings to surrounding communities within a 50-mile radius.
This new partnership is expected to catalyze positive change not only in healthcare education but also in the overall health landscape of the Greater Baton Rouge area.