The impact of Hurricane Katrina on health care in the state and the resulting growth this region continues to realize have prompted North Oaks officials to reassess the health system’s short- and long-term goals.

Tangipahoa Parish is listed in the top five counties (parishes) in the nation for gaining post-Katrina population, according to Claritas Demographics and Market Research. This report cites the parish’s pre-Katrina population at 107,041 and a post-Katrina surge to 124,411.

“We looked at community needs and concluded that our facilities’ development plans had to be accelerated,” North Oaks CEO James E. Cathey Jr. explains. “As a result, North Oaks is scheduled to invest almost $200 million in new facilities and special projects over the next 5 years instead of 10 years.” Among the enhancements included in the 5-year plans will be projects to bring the number of hospital beds over 500 and expand the Emergency Department.

Heart in the Right Place

The North Oaks team also is making plans to host the grand opening of the newly expanded Heart Health Center at North Oaks Medical Center on Thursday, August 17. The project represents a $3.6 million investment in the community. The expansion includes:

• two new, advanced Philips Cardiovascular Catheterization Labs
• a facility upgrade for Cardiology Services
• an additional Exercise Stress Lab
• a new outpatient service area for the Anticoagulation Management Clinic.

“The Heart Health Center grand opening event will culminate 3 years of planning that concentrated on enhancement of cardiovascular services for our community,” observes Heart Health Center Director Tammy Murphy, RN, LCEP. “The August 17 event will showcase the end-result of centralizing all cardiovascular services to provide focused, efficient and individualized cardiac care for our community.”

Paving the Way

By year’s end 2006, the health system anticipates the completion of North Oaks Drive, a new northern access road that will connect Emergency Services Drive to Club Deluxe Road on the North Oaks Medical Center campus. North Oaks Drive represents an investment in the community of $3.4 million. The 6/10-mile of lighted roadway, which is being built to highway standards, is designed to:

• improve safety and convenience
• add a secondary access point
• serve as an alternative route around traffic congestion on Veterans Boulevard
• open up 32 acres of North Oaks-owned land across Arnold Creek for future development needs.

New parking lots also are part of the package.

Enhanced Services and a New Look

A $6.2 million project underway at North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital, located at 1900 South Morrison Boulevard in Hammond, will add over 2,000 square feet of space through rededication of 29,016 square feet of space. The expansion project is scheduled for completion in August 2007. In addition to enhancing services, the project will incorporate the familiar architectural style established at North Oaks Medical Center. The Rehabilitation Hospital’s nerve center – the Comprehensive Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) Unit Gym – will more than double its size. The Cafeteria’s Kitchen and Dining Area will gain space and an adjoining courtyard in order to seat 95 diners comfortably. Other renovation components include patient sunrooms, and main lobby and CMR Unit Patient Dining Room expansions.

Plans Under Evaluation

Further facility development plans at North Oaks Medical Center, currently under evaluation and design consideration by North Oaks officials include:

• the addition of patient beds through an expansion of the signature building that would also allow for the expansion of the Emergency Department and the creation of 14 new OR suites
• the addition of patient beds through the construction of new fourth and fifth floors on the Original Medical Center Building
• a medical office building
• a parking garage
• a resource center for support services
• a freestanding Women’s Tower.

Neighbors and Friends Sharing Values and Dreams

Our team is the foundation upon which we will continue to build and grow our organization to better serve our community. Our plans are designed to carefully consider resources and protect our position as an economic engine and full-service health care provider. Yet, as we grow we won’t forget who we are and from where we came. We are your neighbors and friends who share values and dreams for our area’s future. We are proud of our 46 years of caring for area residents, consider it a privilege and look forward to many more years of meeting the area’s health care needs.