NORTHSHORE BUSINESS COUNCIL AND NORTHSHORE HEALTHSCAPE CONVENE EXECUTIVE LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL HEALTHCARE ECONOMY AND WORKFORCE PIPELINES
The Northshore Business Council (NBC), in partnership with Northshore Healthscape, convened regional health system executives, higher education leaders, and public sector stakeholders today for a collaborative Healthcare Summit at the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) facility. The morning event highlighted the economic impact of the healthcare industry across the Northshore and outlined coordinated strategies to build a resilient, locally trained healthcare workforce.
The summit opened with introductory remarks from NBC Executive Director Kevin Davis and NBC Board President Paysse McWilliams. Russell Richardson of the St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (EDC) presented an overview of regional healthcare data, detailing key findings from the 2024 State of the Northshore Healthcare Industry Report.
Executive Panels Highlight Regional Collaboration and Pipeline Growth
A series of interactive panel discussions featured leaders from across the regional healthcare ecosystem:
- Northshore Healthscape Panel: Moderated by Ashley Llewellyn (St. Tammany EDC), executive panelists including Joan Coffman (St. Tammany Health System), Michele Sutton (North Oaks Health System), Sandy Badinger (Slidell Memorial Hospital / Ochsner), Dr. Alisha Lacour (Ochsner Northshore-Mississippi Gulf Coast), Ralph Serpas (Our Lady of the Angels Health), and Ben Richaud (Lakeview Hospital / LCMC Health) detailed how the dynamic industry-led collaborative is enhancing healthcare delivery and economic growth across the three-parish area.
- Education and Workforce Panel: Academic leaders including Dr. William Wainwright and Dr. Lindsay Domiano (Southeastern Louisiana University), Dr. Jim Carlson and Christi Marceaux (Northshore Technical Community College), and Suzanne Torregano (Tri-Parish Works / First Planning District WDB) showcased new clinical and non-clinical degree pathways, dual-enrollment programs, and industry partnerships. Presentation data demonstrated significant growth at NTCC, which awarded 213 healthcare degrees and credentials in the 2025–2026 academic year alongside 318 industry-based credentials (IBCs). Southeastern Louisiana University highlighted its expansion to 120 BSN admissions per semester, maintaining a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate and a 100% Family Nurse Practitioner pass rate.
- Facets of Healthcare Panel: Representatives from public, private, and non-profit partner organizations—including Anne Pablovich (Healthier Northshore), Lisa Bruhl (Lallie Kemp Medical Center), Richard Kramer (Florida Parishes Human Services Authority), Laurel DuPont (Northshore Rehabilitation Hospital), Kathryn Burkenstock (NAMI SELA), and Rebecca Gauthier (Comm Care Management)—emphasized the broad continuum of community health, mental health support, rehabilitation, and long-term care services across the region.
Future Focus and Strategic Alignment
The summit concluded with closing remarks from NBC Healthcare Committee Chair Joan Coffman and event leaders, who called on regional business leaders and healthcare partners to actively join the Northshore Business Council Healthcare Committee.
“Healthcare is not only a cornerstone of public well-being on the Northshore, but it is also a vital driver of our regional economic stability,” said Joan Coffman, NBC Healthcare Committee Chair. “By bringing together our health systems, community colleges, universities, and workforce boards, we are creating a seamless pipeline that allows local talent to train here, work here, and advance here.”
For more information about the Northshore Business Council or to join the NBC Healthcare Committee, contact NBC Executive Director Kevin Davis at kevin.davis@northshorebusinesscouncil.org or Communications Coordinator Cara Herrin at administration@northshorebusinesscouncil.org.
