Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, OLOL found itself immersed into graduate medical education as the organization lent support to programs interrupted and displaced by the storm. Though most programs returned to New Orleans, several have continued clinical rotations at the Lake including LSU's nationally recognized Head and Neck Center. On average, OLOL is host to approximately 30 residents each day who are working and learning from area doctors. Each year, almost 200 residents rotate through clinical experiences at the facility.
In addition to supporting other medical school residency programs, OLOL also completed preparations for its inaugural class of pediatric residents who began in July, 2010. The program successfully matched eight new physicians for the medical center's first class with similar participation expected in subsequent years and growing to a total number of 24 residents when the program is fully mature. The Pediatric Academic Clinic for continuity of care was opened for patient follow up. OLOL's program is the first new pediatric residency program granted to operate in the US in five years. OLOL is exploring additional residency programs for expansion in other specialties.
With the association of LSU as well as the continued development of its own residency programs, OLOL is able to compete for clinical talent at a new level. Physicians and clinical professionals form the foundation for attracting and maintaining an exceptional workforce. Talent retention is another benefit of the collaboration. OLOL's master facility planning has also been enhanced by the vision for more robust academic facilities and state-of-the art clinical environments for patients and caregivers. Focus on safety, service and staff informs the programming. An eye squarely trained on the future in terms of technology and emerging clinical improvements assures that new space will serve the patients of today and be able to grow with the needs of patients for years to come.
The benefits of a strong, local graduate medical education program reach far beyond simply the new doctors being trained, out to the entire community and region. Well-trained physicians mean better care and better quality.
