The grand opening of the new St. Tammany Health System Surgery Center was held on Dec. 17. The $75 million, same-day surgical facility is located adjacent to the health system’s Paul D. Cordes Outpatient Pavilion on Louisiana 1085 (Bootlegger Road) in Covington.
The 126,000-square-foot facility was designed with local surgeons’ input to meet the current and future demand for same-day surgeries, which is in turn fueled by technological advances that have expanded the number of procedures available in the 23-hour arena.
“Just more than two weeks ago, on Dec. 1, we celebrated our health system’s storied 70-year past. Today, with the opening of this peerless facility, we celebrate the future,” health system President and CEO Joan Coffman said at a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This surgery center has long been a strategic goal of ours, and I am brimming with gratitude for all those people – and, trust me, there are a lot of them – who helped us to once more deliver on our promise of providing world-class healthcare close to home for our Northshore friends and neighbors.”
In addition to creating more than 100 local jobs, the surgery center’s completion will also open capacity at the health system’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital for more complex surgical cases.
Following her remarks, Coffman invited guests to tour the new facility, which includes 12 surgery suites, 24 private pre-op rooms, 18 recovery rooms, and 15 rooms with overnight-stay capabilities. Supporting departments and services include pre-operative and post-operative care, surgical sterilization, imaging, lab, pharmacy, physical therapy, food service, environmental services, and more.
St. Tammany Health Foundation’s Healing Arts Initiative has additionally outfitted the first-floor space with multiple installations, including a large-scale lobby mural by local artist Zac Maras. Other installations feature the work of local artists Cindi Guillot, Inga Falterman, and Craig McMillan.
The center is located at 16282 Louisiana 1085 (Bootlegger Road) in Covington.