Big things are happening in the healthcare industry on the Northshore. Industry leaders across the three-parish region have come together to form an initiative called “Northshore Healthscape: A Collaborative Enhancing the Pulse of our Regional Healthcare Economy.” As its name implies, Northshore Healthscape is bringing stakeholders together in a sector-specific strategy to support the healthcare industry in the area.
“I like to say it’s ‘coopertition,’” said Joan Coffman, president and CEO of St. Tammany Health System. “All of the hospitals and health systems that you would think are competing with each other are cooperating together toward this common goal with St. Tammany Corporation, our local economic development agency.”
Northshore Healthscape is a three-year, multi-pronged strategic pilot program designed both to promote the Northshore as a healthcare destination and bolster the local healthcare workforce.
Healthcare is a major economic driver on the Northshore in terms of both jobs and productivity, contributing more than $1.5 billion to the three-parish gross regional product (GRP).
“The industry represents 22,000 jobs in the area, and demand is strong with 5,000 unique postings for jobs in the past 12 months,” said Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation. “Projections also indicate that jobs in this sector will increase by 11% by 2026.”
The initiative’s benefits include developing a strong, strategic, collaborative approach to engaging with healthcare leaders. Having a shared strategy means health systems can leverage information, tools, resources and best practices to create a comprehensive and holistic initiative that supports the industry sector as a whole instead of one particular organization.
One of the initiative’s first goals is addressing the workforce shortage that is particularly acute in the healthcare sector. A key component to meet that goal is Northshore Technical Community College, which will provide training to future healthcare professionals in a variety of roles.
The initiative also aims to use economic growth and development to create an “ecosystem of support businesses” that can help provide health systems with what they need to care for patients.
Masingill said it’s “energizing and inspiring” to see this type of unified effort, and he believes the initiative could serve as a model for economic developers across the nation.
“I’m excited to see how we will continue to maximize our combined efforts in a targeted and intentional way for tangible outcomes that benefit our healthcare partners, patients and workers,” he said.
Chris Masingill
CEO
St. Tammany Corporation
The possibilities for this initiative are substantial. Building a regional support system is about not only creating new business opportunities but also accessibility so that the Northshore is positioned as a healthcare destination across the Southeast United States. We recognize that there are some unique opportunities for specialization, expansion and scaling workforce training and talent development programs as well. From a branding and marketing perspective, we can highlight this better together to communicate our strengths across the region with one collective and unified voice, while maintaining the unique identities and business focuses of each individual institution.
Joan Coffman
President and CEO
St. Tammany Health System
I can’t stress enough the optimism I feel about this initiative. We’re grateful in this community to have so many servant leaders who recognize the value of working together toward a common goal. The real winners from this alliance will be local residents, who can expect the level of care in the region only to increase.
Melissa B. Kirsch
Executive Director
Workforce Development Board, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany
As the leading agency in workforce development, we make it a point to be involved in all efforts to support our industry sectors with the greatest impact to our communities. When industry comes together with partners — like workforce development and so many other important partners — real change can happen to serve that industry!
