Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSUA) has secured initial funding for the development of a state-of-the-art health education center in downtown Alexandria, Louisiana. This project is made possible by collaborations with local partners and the state legislature, like Martin Sustainable Resources, LLC (dba RoyOMartin), contributing $750,000 to the LSUA Foundation in support of LSUA’s Health Education Campus.
This gift follows three previous ones made by the Martins to support projects across the LSU system, including $2 million for LSUA’s Martin Family Student Success Center, which is slated to open next month, $1 million for the LSU Interdisciplinary Science Building in Baton Rouge, and $500,000 for LSU Health Shreveport’s Center for Medical Education.
In downtown Alexandria, the planned 70,000-square-foot facility is designed to address the region’s growing demand for healthcare professionals by providing students with access to advanced technology and modern training environments across multiple healthcare disciplines.
“Our company employs and depends on nurses to keep our team members safe and in good health at each facility. Nurses have provided elderly care to my family in Cenla for decades,” states Chairman and CEO Roy O. Martin, III. “We owe this profession a great deal, and our family is committed to advancing the education of those in our communities. This state-of-the-art center will provide much-needed opportunities for those in our area, and we are honored to play a role in its development.”
Like many states, Louisiana faces a shortage of nurses and allied health professionals. There are currently over 550 vacancies for registered nurses and 170 for allied health positions within area hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices.
In partnership with regional stakeholders, LSUA seeks to respond to local workforce needs by enhancing existing programs and utilizing the new facility to increase its annual number of nursing graduates to approximately 250. The Health Education Campus will offer interdisciplinary learning opportunities and advanced technological resources, equipping graduates to meet the increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals while strengthening ties with the broader community.
“It is with heartfelt appreciation that we thank the entire RoyOMartin Family for their multi-generational support of LSUA and the growing number of students being served and entering the workforce in central Louisiana,” said LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil. “The generosity and inspirational leadership provided by the entire Martin Family continues to drive higher education excellence that effectively addresses critical health-related workforce shortages in nursing and allied health professions across Louisiana.”
Strategically located in downtown Alexandria near major hospitals and healthcare providers, the LSUA Health Education Campus will expand capacity for all health education programs.
Individuals interested in supporting LSUA may contribute to the LSUA Foundation. Further information is available at www.lsuafoundation.org.