Southeastern Receives Donation from Woman’s Hospital

Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences has received a $150,000 donation from Woman’s Hospital for the naming of the Obstetrics Maternal/Newborn Simulation Lab as part of the upcoming renovations to the School of Nursing’s Baton Rouge facility. The gift will help further enhance the university’s commitment to developing highly skilled, compassionate nursing professionals and address the growing healthcare workforce shortage in Louisiana.

The check presentation event, which took place on Tuesday, April 8, was attended by key stakeholders including Woman’s Hospital administration, Southeastern administration, CNHS faculty, nursing students, and the CNHS Advisory Board. The collaborative spirit of these groups highlights the strong partnership between Southeastern and Woman’s Hospital, as they work together to strengthen healthcare education and workforce development in the Baton Rouge region.

The planned renovation of the BRC will leverage State of Louisiana capital outlay funds alongside private donations. The renovations include the addition of state-of-the-art classrooms, a redesigned auditorium with enhanced distance education capabilities, flexible workspaces, and upgraded simulation labs that will prepare students for real-world healthcare challenges. The renovations will also include the creation of a telehealth/teleconference patient room with advanced technology, as well as expanded simulation spaces, to ensure students receive a comprehensive, hands-on education.

“Woman’s Hospital has a vested interest in being an integral partner in preparing future healthcare professionals in the Baton Rouge region,” said President and CEO of Woman’s Hospital Rene J. Ragas. “This partnership strengthens our long-standing relationship with Southeastern’s School of Nursing. Not only does this project help educate the next generation of healthcare providers, but it also fortifies our pipeline of nursing talent, which is critical to meeting the healthcare needs of our community. With over 200 Southeastern-trained nurses currently employed at Woman’s Hospital, this collaboration is invaluable to both our institutions.”

The $15.5 million renovation project will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 focuses on upgrading the Baton Rouge School of Nursing with additional simulation equipment, faculty, and staff to accommodate a growing number of nursing students. Upon completion of Phase 1, Southeastern will be able to offer mirrored nursing programs on both its Hammond and Baton Rouge campuses, expanding capacity to accept 32% more nursing students each year. This expansion will help alleviate the regional nursing shortage and provide more opportunities for students to be educated and employed in Baton Rouge, particularly at Woman’s Hospital.

“We are grateful to Rene and his team for investing in our students and school. The shortage of healthcare workers in Louisiana is a significant challenge, but this project is part of our solution,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “By expanding our nursing program and collaborating with Woman’s Hospital, we’re creating a robust pipeline for well- trained nurses who will live, work, and contribute to the healthcare needs of our state. This public-private partnership is a great model for the future.”

Dean Ann K. Carruth of Southeastern’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences emphasized the importance of the new simulation lab.

“The Woman’s Hospital Obstetrics Maternal / Newborn Simulation Lab will provide our students with real-world scenarios in a controlled and safe environment,” she said. “By expanding our nursing program and collaborating with Woman’s Hospital, we’re creating a robust pipeline for well-trained nurses who will live, work, and contribute to the healthcare needs of our state. This public private partnership represents alignment of higher education and industry missions to strengthen our healthcare economy.”

The renovation project is currently seeking additional partners to complete the full vision, and there are several naming opportunities available. These partnerships will play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing education and improving healthcare outcomes for the region.

Southeastern’s CNHS has a long-standing history of producing skilled, workforce-ready graduates, with over 5,600 nursing alumni since 1964. Despite being at capacity and forced to deny an average of 200 qualified applicants annually, Southeastern is committed to expanding

opportunities for students to enter the nursing profession, addressing the ongoing shortage of healthcare workers, and providing solutions to the challenges facing rural healthcare in Louisiana.

For more information on the renovation project or to learn about naming opportunities, visit Southeastern Foundation’s website at https://www.southeastern.edu/foundation or contact the university foundation’s office directly at (985) 549-2239.