andOchsner Now - Ochsner Health System

The 1970s continued to be a productive decade in Ochsner medical history . In 1973, the KingMills Umbrella Catheter was invented. Dr. Mills described the device as two tiny umbrellas
interlocked to close a hole in the heart. In 1975, for the first time in history, Dr. Terry D. King
and Dr. Noel L. Mills introduced this device on a human patient, using it to close a hole in a
17-year-old patient’s heart without surgery. The physicians won the Young Inventors Award of
the Cardiology Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics for this invention. In 1974, the
first liver transplant was conducted by Dr. William M. P. McKinnon. Later that year, Ochsner
purchased the first computed tomography (CT) scanner in the Gulf South. Ochsner was the
sixth hospital in the country to have this sophisticated technology. Patients would travel to
Ochsner from across the Gulf South for CT scans. Also in 1974, Dr. John Ochsner implanted a
heart pacemaker in the youngest patient ever, a 9 pound, 2 ounce infant only 18 hours old.
Ochsner also expanded its research and education in the 1970s. Dr. Albert Segaloff was awarded
a $476,404 research contract by the National Cancer Institute to study breast cancer. For 37
years, Dr. Segaloff studied breast cancer and various treatments with laboratory animals at
Ochsner. In 1976, Dr. Jay Goldsmith organized the first neonatal intensive care unit at Ochsner.
Internationally recognized hypertension specialist Dr. Edward D. Frohlich joined Ochsner in
1976. He was one of the first physicians in the country to advocate use of beta-adrenergic
blocking drugs in the treatment of hypertension.
In 1978, the Plaza of the Americas was constructed in front of the hospital and clinic on Jefferson
Highway. This fountain area was built as a tribute to Ochsner Clinic’s close relationship with
international neighbors. Nineteen flags representing these international neighbors fly over the
Plaza and the clinic entrance. The Plaza was a gift of Alma and Russell Clark.
The first angioplasty procedure was performed at Ochsner by Dr. Charles Lynn Skelton in 1980.
The first infant was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ECMO, in 1983. Also in
1983, Dr. Carl Kardinal, Director, Cancer Institute and Principal Investigator, was awarded a
grant to begin the Ochsner Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP). The CCOP continues
to provide access to clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The program
expedites new cancer treatments for patients in the community, region, and nation.
Ochsner played a significant role in the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans, showcasing a 40-foothigh model of the human heart pulsing with light to the accompaniment of the appropriately
deep, slow heartbeat sound. In addition, Ochsner healthcare professionals volunteered to
staff the first aid booth at the World’s Fair. Ochsner physicians performed Louisiana’s first
liver transplant later that year. In response to national managed care trends, the Ochsner
Health Plan (OHP) was introduced in 1985. In 1986, the first pediatric heart transplant in the
Gulf South was completed at Ochsner by Dr. John Ochsner. On August 29, 1987, the world’s
smallest baby was born at Ochsner by cesarean section. Her birth weight was 13 ounces.
Doctors immediately rushed her to Ochsner’s neonatal intensive care unit, where she was
stabilized using the ECMO procedure. Also that year, the first quadruplet birth (two boys and
two girls) took place at Ochsner Hospital. They were the first set of surviving quadruplets
on record ever to be born in the state of Louisiana (according to the Louisiana Public Health
Statistics Department), and the quads are believed to be the fifth set born in the world as a
result of in vitro fertilization.
Ochsner Clinic felt that it was important to care for patients within their communities. To
make health care access convenient, Ochsner introduced a new practice that was developing
nationally—neighborhood clinics. In 1985, the first Ochsner neighborhood clinic opened in
Kenner, followed by the Lapalco Clinic on the West Bank. Ochsner’s presence reached Baton
Rouge with its first clinic opening in 1985. The neighborhood clinics in New Orleans East,
Algiers, and Mandeville were launched in 1986. Ochsner Clinic Slidell opened in 1987.
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Ochsner continued to expand its regional facilities and services in the 1990s. The decade began with an Ochsner patient receiving
the first heart-lung transplant in Louisiana. Elmwood Fitness Center was acquired by Ochsner in 1991 to provide the finest fitness
programs, facilities, and equipment in the country. The Total Health 65 Program was implemented to attract senior citizens from the
New Orleans area. The popularity of the neighborhood clinic concept grew. Ochsner replaced the original Ochsner Neighborhood
Clinic in Kenner with a new facility. Ochsner Clinic Metairie opened on Veterans Boulevard. Ochsner Clinic Covington Internal
Medicine opened to serve more North Shore residents. Ochsner Clinic Lapalco moved into a new 54,000-square-foot facility. The
Rothschild/Ochsner Pediatric Clinic also opened on Veterans Boulevard in Metairie. Ochsner strengthened its services to North
Shore residents by affiliating with Covington Pediatrics and opened Ochsner Clinic Tangipahoa. Not only did Ochsner expand its
services on the North Shore, but it also expanded in the Baton Rouge Area with the opening of Ochsner Clinic Baton Rouge–Mid
City.
The Ochsner Campus located on Jefferson Highway also changed its landscape during the 1990s. The Atrium Tower opened in
1993, connecting the garage with the Clinic. The Atrium area offers guests many convenient services, including the Tivoli Gardens
Restaurant, the Gift Shop, the Optical Shop, the Blood Bank, and the Pharmacy. Also in 1993, the Biomedical Research Building
opened to house additional laboratories.
In 2000, Ochsner was noted as one of only six transplant centers to achieve its 500th heart transplant. That same year, the
Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute introduced the first Class 2 FDA-approved device that allowed patients an affordable daily
doctor visit without leaving their homes. The Emergency Department moved from its original River Road entrance to the new
Critical Care Tower, accessible from Jefferson Highway. Named after benefactor Mrs. Lieselotte Tansey, the Breast Center opened
in 2001 to support outpatient breast diagnostic services with consultation services for breast problems.
All Ochsner institutions merged to form one single nonprofit organization, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, in 2001. Ochsner North
Shore Abita Springs Family Medicine opened. The Ochsner Muscle, Bone and Joint Center was formed by combining different
departments into one area, as was the Ochsner Digestive Disorder Center, in 2002. Ochsner Clinic Foundation Elmwood Medical
Center opened in Metairie and Ochsner Clinic Foundation North Shore Medical Center opened. The year of 2004 marked significant
facility changes. The Merrill Hines Surgery Center opened to provide improved outpatient surgery on the main Jefferson Highway
campus. Two other much needed facilities opened that same year: Ochsner Clinic North Shore Ambulatory Surgery Center opened
its beautiful facility to offer services to North Shore residents, while Ochsner for Children Ambulatory Care Center opened on
Jefferson Highway on the South Shore. Also in that year, Ochsner Health Plan (OHP) was sold to Humana, Inc.
Ochsner Then....
The Academic Division joins the entire Ochsner Health System in celebrating the
65 years of Ochsner’s commitment to patient care, education, and research across
the Gulf Coast and the world. To fully appreciate these 65 years, we want to remind
you of the notable milestones achieved by thousands of doctors, nurses, and other
healthcare professionals who have contributed over six decades to what Ochsner
is today.
Dr. Alton Ochsner and his four partners never imagined 65 years ago how far their
idea would go. Ochsner Health System has evolved into a true New Orleans icon
and a symbol of hope. Medical contributions made by Ochsner physicians and other
professionals over the six decades have impacted the world. The Academic Division
sincerely salutes all who have participated in these 65 years of healthcare and looks
forward to the next chapters in Ochsner history. Happy 65th Birthday, Ochsner!
...andOchsner Now
T
he Ochsner story started in 1941, when four Tulane medical professors—Dr. Edgar
Burns, Dr. Guy Caldwell, Dr. Francis LeJeune, and Dr. Curtis Tyrone—joined Dr. Alton Ochsner to establish the first group medical practice in the Deep South. There
was great opposition by the physicians, surgeons, and dentists of
New Orleans to the new Ochsner Clinic. Physicians preferred their
independent practices and felt a “clinic” setting was unfair competition. On Holy Thursday night, April 13, 1941, each founder was
sent a small leather bag with 30 silver dimes; the reference to the
Biblical story of Judas was intended to imply that the founders were
traitors. Despite the opposition, each founder contributed $4,300 of
his own money to open the first Ochsner Clinic at the corner of Aline
and Prytania Streets in uptown New Orleans on January 2, 1942.
Dr. Alton Ochsner was a serious researcher and educator, as demonstrated by his significant discovery published in February 1939
that lung cancer was linked to smoking. In keeping with Dr. Ochsner’s dedication to medical research and education, in 1944 the founders selected Dr. Dean Echols to supervise
the first class of medical residents. During that time, scientists worked long hours under
very primitive conditions in the Basic Science Research Lab on the top floor of the Prytania
Street clinic.
The first Ochsner Hospital opened November 5, 1946 at Camp Plauché, affectionately known
as “Splinter Village.” Nestled close to the Huey P. Long Bridge, the base hospital included 53
frame buildings and only two private rooms. Ochsner’s founders felt that patient families
needed a comfortable waiting area, so Ochsner Foundation Hospital was one of the first
hospitals in the Gulf South to offer a family lounge, complete with complimentary coffee
and a gracious hostess. The hospital relocated to its present location on Jefferson Highway
on June 12, 1954. In 1953, Dr. Alton Ochsner led the team that performed the successful
separation of conjoined twins, the first in the nation. Later in the 1950s, the Libby Dufour
Residence opened next to the new hospital. This residence housed nurses and physicians
in training, allowing them to be close to the hospital. The Libby Dufour Residence was
demolished in May of 1994 to make way for the new Critical Care Tower. In 1955, Ochsner
was the first hospital to use a medical heliport to transport patients to the hospital.
Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner
Hurricane Katrina abruptly changed the lives and course of healthcare for thousands of New Orleans’ citizens in August of 2005.
However, Ochsner’s statewide presence helped keep the organization moving forward despite New Orleans’ catastrophic flooding.
Displaced patients were able to seek healthcare at other regional clinics because of Ochsner’s electronic medical records system.
Physicians had electronic access to the clinical histories of all patients. Ochsner leaders, determined to support the rebuilding
efforts of New Orleans by providing quality community health care following the tragedy, acquired St. Anne Hospital in Raceland
in the early spring of 2006 and strengthened its partnership with Ardent Health Services, which was renamed Ochsner Medical
Center - Baton Rouge. Ochsner acquired three Tenet hospitals in October of 2006; Meadowcrest Hospital Westbank, Kenner
Regional, and Memorial Baptist were purchased and became Ochsner hospitals. These three new hospitals were renamed
Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank, Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner, and Ochsner Baptist Medical Center. All of the Ochsner
clinics and hospitals continue to grow and thrive as New Orleans rebuilds.
Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge
TM
Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans
Ochsner Baptist Medical Center
Ochsner
Medical Center – West Bank
Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital
2007
Operating
Plan
Ochsner
Medical Center
- Kenner
For more information about Ochsner’s history,
these books are included in our Library
collection and are available for check out.
Additional information can be found at the
Ochsner Archives website: http://academics.
ochsner.org/archives.aspx
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Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank
Ochsner Baptist Medical Center
The next decade proved to be very eventful. In 1963, Ochsner Clinic moved from Prytania
Street to the hospital’s Jefferson Highway campus. All of the Ochsner activities were finally
brought together on one campus 21 years after the Tulane professors began their group
practice. The first successful adult kidney transplant in the Gulf South region was performed by Dr. Paul DeCamp, Dr. William Brannan, and Dr. Mims Gage on November 7, 1966.
The patient was referred from Florida to Ochsner Clinic. His new kidney worked for almost
30 years. Later in that decade, the renowned Ochsner cardiovascular surgery team, led
by Dr. John Ochsner, performed the first heart valve replacement, coronary artery bypass,
pacemaker implant, heart transplant, and lung transplant.
Throughout the 1970s, Ochsner continued to gain a reputation for its advancements in
medical research and treatment. On January 9, 1970, Dr. John Ochsner performed the first
heart transplant in the Gulf South. That same year, Dr. Gordon McFarland developed the
artificial tendon. In April of 1972, an infant cubicle was part of the hospital’s new intensive
care unit, the largest ICU in the South. Later that year, Dr. Charles B. Moore introduced the
new echocardiogram machine. This machine became an integral part of the non-invasive
cardiology section. In 1973, the Nuclear Medicine and Rheumatology Departments used
joint scanning techniques to provide more precise diagnoses. Our plastic surgeons were
also experimenting with the use of human ribs in reconstructions of the mouth and jaw. 1
1940
1970
1960
1950
1980-2000
January 9, 1970. Dr. John Ochsner performed the
first heart transplant in the Gulf South.
May 2, 1941. The idea to encourage private group practice in New
Orleans similar to that of the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic took legal
form. Local medical school professors Drs. Alton Ochsner, Edgar Burns,
Guy A. Caldwell, Francis E. LeJeune, and Curtis Tyrone took risks and
each contributed $4,300 of his own money to open the first private group
practice clinic in New Orleans.
1940. World famous research conducted by Dr. Alton Ochsner
was originally published in the article: Primary Pulmonary
Malignancy, in Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Volume 68,
pages 435-451, February 15, 1939. This was the first time that
lung cancer was linked to smoking
April 13, 1941. On Holy Thursday night each founder was sent
a small leather bag with 30 silver dimes and a note that read:
To help pay for your clinic. From the Physicians, Surgeons,
and Dentists of New Orleans. The coins expressed the
opposition by the physicians, surgeons, and dentists of New
Orleans to the new Ochsner “clinic.” Physicians preferred
their independent practices and felt a “clinic” setting was
unfair competition.
November 5, 1946. The First Ochsner Hospital was housed at Camp Plauché,
affectionately known as “Splinter Village.” Nestled close to the Huey P. Long
Bridge, the base hospital included 53 frame buildings and only two private
rooms.
1951. The Riding Academy on Jefferson Highway was on the land where
Ochsner Hospital was built.
1962. Ochsner Clinic moved from Prytania Street to the Hospital’s
Jefferson Highway campus.
1983. First infant was placed on extra
corporeal membrane oxygenation, ECMO.
1975. The King-Mills Umbrella
Catheter was devised by Dr. Terry
D. King and Ochsner surgeon Dr.
Noel L. Mills.
March 27, 1941. At a medical meeting in Ogden,
Utah, Dr. Alton Ochsner received the famous telegram from his partners that established the name of
the clinic. The telegram essentially read: “The baby
has a name…The Ochsner Clinic.”
1959. The first Research Building opened at Ochsner on the Jefferson
Highway Main Campus.
1952. Dr. Alton Ochsner surveys the groundbreaking ceremony
for the new Ochsner Foundation Hospital on Jefferson Highway.
1967. Ochsner introduced the new
rotational cobalt therapy unit.
1974. Dr. John Ochsner implanted
a heart pacemaker in the
youngest patient ever. The ninepound, two-ounce recipient was
only eighteen hours old.
1976. Dr. Jay Goldsmith was the first in the Gulf
South Region to coordinate the utilization of twoway transport system in pediatrics at Ochsner.
January 2, 1942. The first Ochsner Clinic officially
opened at Aline and Prytania Streets in uptown New
Orleans.
1986. First pediatric heart
transplant was completed.
2003. The Ochsner Nursing Division
achieved Magnet status. The Magnet
Nursing Services Recognition Program
is the highest level of recognition that
the American Nurses Credentialing
Center can accord to organized
nursing services in the national and
international health care community.
1946. Camp Plauché was nicknamed Splinter Village by the nurses because during
the hot, humid summers in New Orleans, the nurses would take off their leather
shoes. As the result, they would often find foot splinters from the wood floors.
1954. Ochsner Foundation Hospital lobby
1975. Dr. Albert Segaloff was awarded a $476,404 research
1966. Groundbreaking for the Rawley M. Penick contract by the National Cancer Institute to study breast
cancer. For 37 years he studied breast cancer and various
Memorial, located on Main Campus facing River Road.
treatments with laboratory animals at Ochsner.
2000. Out of the 282 U.S. Transplant Centers, Ochsner was one of
only six to have achieved the 500th heart transplant.
1984. Ochsner participated in the World’s
Fair in New Orleans showcasing a 40-foothigh model of the human heart pulsing
with light to the accompaniment of the
appropriately deep, slow heartbeat sound.
2001. All Ochsner institutions merged to form one single nonprofit
company, Ochsner Clinic Foundation.