Mission: To Extend The Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ
After more than 100 years of serving the local community, CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier has its finger firmly on the pulse of the community’s medical needs, and the plan to meet those needs is quickly coming to fruition.
As announced in May of 2013, the new strategic direction includes plans to maximize, expand and revitalize the current facilities, as well as a vision to launch new medical practice platforms in the Shreveport-Bossier area funded by the $55 million investment from CHRISTUS Health. CHRISTUS Health Louisiana President and CEO Stephen Wright says, “This is a transformational change for CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier. We have looked at the ways people want and need their health care delivered now and into the future, and determined a new direction.”
The most immediate changes the community is seeing are the dramatic updates and expansions at the Highland campus. A much-needed NICU facility is being fast-tracked for completion in the summer of this year, built in conjunction with an expanded Birth Place at Highland. At the Birth Place, patients enjoy the ease and comfort of remaining in the same suite for every stage of the birthing experience. This consideration is extended by the upcoming addition of the NICU unit, which will place infants needing critical care just steps down the hallway, instead of in another building or across town.
In addition to the NICU and expanded Birth Place, Highland’s new West Wing, slated for completion in Summer 2015, will be home to the new Cancer Treatment Center and a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary inpatient rehabilitation unit.
In Bossier, a new satellite cancer clinic will open on April 1. This new clinic is the first cancer treatment facility in Bossier, and it is also one of the initial steps in moving care outside the campus walls and into the growing corridors of the community.
CHRISTUS is also focusing efforts on recruiting brand new primary care physicians to the market, meeting the severe need in Shreveport-Bossier for more “every day” doctors. CHRISTUS has opened a new primary care practice in southeast Shreveport, featuring Dr. Asha Kilaru, board certified Internal Medicine and Kristen Bass, PA-C. This past month, Dr. Donna Wyatt, board certified Family Medicine joined the practice of Dr. April Palmer and Dr. Susan Kemp at CHRISTUS Primary Care Associates, located on the Highland campus.
As CHRISTUS moves forward with the thriving Highland campus and satellite clinics, the Schumpert campus re-visioning is also underway. Wright says, “We believe the best use of our Schumpert campus can be determined by working closely with the community.” CHRISTUS has partnered with Dynamis, a consulting company that excels in working with hospitals and communities to repurpose facilities and find a place serving the local area. Dynamis has interviewed over 100 community leaders to ascertain potential growth and future need in Shreveport-Bossier area, and CHRISTUS hopes to announce the new vision for the campus in the near future.
CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier’s commitment to the community has never been stronger and the future is full of new growth and promise. As Wright says, “Access to quality, convenient health care is a driving need and CHISTUS Health intends to answer the call.”
