New Orleans-based Ochsner Health has unveiled plans for a new children's hospital after receiving a "historic" donation from the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation.
While the amount was not disclosed, the funds will be used to replace the existing Ochsner Children's home with a new hospital, the Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children's Hospital, according to a press release shared with Becker's.
The new, 343,000-square-foot hospital will feature a children's-only emergency department and enhancements to its critical care, operating rooms, and imaging capacity and proximity, the release said. Additionally, a level 4 surgical neonatal intensive care unit will be on-site, with space to allow for expanded access to leading treatments, specialties and subspecialties.
Each floor of the new hospital will be themed after a native Gulf Shore animal. Additionally, the hospital will have open air patios, family resource centers, private rooms, kitchens, and lounges for parents and caregivers.
"Ochsner Children's Hospital cares for more than 100,000 children every year," Vincent Adolph, MD, chief medical officer at Ochsner Children's Hospital and Ochsner Health board member, said in the release. "This new facility will help us better meet the needs of our communities because we know there are many more families who want their children to receive care at Ochsner."
Ochsner Health has more than 37,000 employees and over 4,700 employed and affiliated physicians working in more than 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. The integrated healthcare system operates 46 hospitals and over 370 health and urgent care centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf South. Ochsner Children's also has over 200 physicians who specialize in more than 30 pediatric specialties and subspecialties.
Groundbreaking on the new hospital is expected in mid-2024, with an opening date planned for late 2027, the release said.