One year after the implementation of the Tulane University | LCMC Health affiliation, its impact on healthcare delivery, education, and innovation across the Gulf South is already being felt. With expanded access to specialty care, new clinical services, and substantial infrastructure investment, the collaboration marks a new chapter for academic medicine in the Greater New Orleans area.
Since January 2024, Tulane has integrated many of its clinical operations into LCMC Health facilities, primarily at East Jefferson General Hospital. A $216 million investment has added four new critical care units, including the integration of the Tulane Transplant Institute, which celebrated its 100th successful solid organ transplant at EJGH in August 2024. Additional developments include eight new operating rooms, 15 new outpatient clinics, and the highly anticipated Heart and Lung Transplant Center, set to open later this year.
“This partnership has been about aligning our strengths to meet the real needs of our patients, students, and community,” says Dr. L. Lee Hamm, Senior Vice President and Dean of the Tulane University School of Medicine. “It reflects Tulane’s commitment to improving how and where we deliver care while advancing the education and training of the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
The collaboration has also elevated medical education and streamlined patient access. Tulane now uses a best-in-class electronic medical record system and launched a One Call scheduling line, 504.988.5000, designed to make it easier for patients to connect with Tulane expert care. At the same time, new academic spaces for residents and students at EJGH are creating more opportunities for advanced training while supporting Tulane’s mission as a leading academic medical institution.
“These enhancements reflect our mission across all fronts- education, research, and clinical care,” Hamm explains. “We are growing our footprint in the region, expanding access to high-quality care, and providing our students and residents with unparalleled training opportunities.”
As the Tulane University | LCMC Health affiliation enters its second year on site at EJGH, its early success demonstrates what is possible when academic medicine and community-based care come together in service of a shared vision: improving health outcomes, strengthening medical education, and investing in the future of medicine. From growing residency opportunities to bringing advanced therapies closer to home, this partnership is helping redefine what healthcare can look like in the Greater New Orleans area and beyond.
