Southern University System
12/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/02/2024 14:28
College of Nursing and Allied Health receives $5M gift from Our Lady of the Lake Health
College of Nursing and Allied Health receives $5M gift from Our Lady of the Lake Health
Date December 02, 2024
Our Lady of the Lake Health (OLOL), a longtime partner of Southern University and A&M College, today announced a $5 million gift to the College of Nursing and Allied Health. This partnership will enhance the College's programs and opportunities for students and faculty, highlighting the shared vision of the university and Our Lady of the Lake to improve health outcomes, strengthen the workforce, and address critical health disparities across the greater Baton Rouge region.
"This collaboration is an investment in the future of healthcare in our community," said Tina Schaffer, vice president and chief diversity officer of 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."
This gift will be used to establish collaborative community health outreach programs based on comprehensive needs assessments. Also, the collaboration chaired by the foundations of Our Lady of the Lake and the Southern University System will address ongoing social determinants of health in North Baton Rouge. It will seek to unite community leaders, healthcare experts, and educators to drive sustainable change.
"We are honored to create a community health partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Health," said 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."
Clinical rotations in North Baton Rouge will be optimized to provide Southern University students with hands-on learning experiences. Collaborative efforts will evaluate and expand allied health workforce development programs, aligning with community and industry needs.
Southern's award-winning nursing program is the largest producer of the state's Black nurses and the largest producer of Black male nurses in the country. Reaching beyond the campus, the program's Jag Mobile serves communities within a 50-mile radius with free healthcare services and screenings.
About Our Lady of the Lake Health
Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With a 900-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated 99-bed Children's Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 650+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God's people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com.