Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
Our 2021 Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, Kenner, Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital and River Place Behavioral Health Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment and our 2018 Ochsner Medical Center, Ochsner Baptist and Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Community Health Needs Assessment allowed us to determine which significant health needs should be prioritized in our region’s Community Health Improvement Planning process.
In 2022, the Ochsner Health community engagement and public affairs team held 64 events and reached 13,000 plus community residents through intentional and equity-focused collaborations and partnerships across the New Orleans area. These partnerships are based on mutual respect and focus on a shared mission to improve health outcomes; exchange knowledge and resources; change policies, programs and practices that influence behavioral and systematic change; create clear communication streams; and build trust.
Through these community collaborations, Ochsner Health regularly engages community stakeholders, businesses, neighborhood associations, colleges and universities, schools, churches and faith-based institutions, public officials, non-profits, organized groups, social aid and pleasure clubs, and other healthcare providers and entities. Members of our team attend community meetings and town halls; join existing coalitions; volunteer, support or help enhance existing community activities and structures; and share data pertinent to community needs. We seek to build sustained and long-term trusted partnerships, establish strong communication channels, improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities, and promote positive behavioral and systemic policy changes.