Louisiana State University has announced commitments totaling $245 million over 10 years from Our Lady of the Lake and LCMC Health to help transform health care in the state.

Our Lady of the Lake has committed $170 million over the next decade to set a new standard for healthcare delivery, research, and education as LSU’s exclusive Championship Healthcare Partner. The not-for-profit healthcare ministry is investing $85 million each in academics- and athletics-focused initiatives: $40 million to develop a comprehensive healthcare experience within the LSU Student Health Center and provide in-kind care to uninsured and underinsured LSU students; $20 million to the LSU School of Medicine New Orleans Baton Rouge Branch Campus to strengthen physician residency and fellowship programs, expand high school students’ interests in health care, and provide training in clinical and non-clinical health-related professions; $15 million to construct the LSU Interdisciplinary Science Building, which will be home to the LSU College of Science; $10 million to establish a healthcare-focused research fund directed by the LSU president to advance university-wide research; and $85 million to deploy integrated clinical technology, facility improvements, and educational programming to advance student-athlete health and wellness.

For its part, LCMC Health has committed $75 million to revolutionize cancer research, treatment, and outcomes in Louisiana and ensure a sustained talent pipeline for the state’s healthcare industry. The pledge includes an initial $50 million commitment to develop world-class, multidisciplinary cancer care and clinical research programs working to earn NCI designation for Louisiana; $10 million to develop a scholarship fund focused on addressing nursing and allied health workforce needs in Louisiana; $10 million toward construction of the Our Lady of the Lake Interdisciplinary Science Building, which will create a hub for scientific inquiry, discovery, and collaboration; and $5 million to establish a cancer-focused research fund directed by the LSU president.

“As Louisiana’s flagship university, LSU has an inherent commitment and responsibility to elevate our state,” said LSU president William F. Tate IV. “This landmark chapter in our longstanding partnerships with Our Lady of the Lake and LCMC Health epitomizes our capacity to transform the lives of our fellow Louisianans. Together, we will pursue the first NCI-designated cancer center in the region, catalyze STEM transformation in Louisiana, strengthen the talent pipeline for the future of health care, alleviate financial barriers to quality health care for our students with financial need, and provide elite health care to our student-athletes.”

(Photo credit: Eddy Perez/LSU)