St. Tammany Health System has been the leading health system in the parish since 1954, and, today, it is a cornerstone of the community and a regional destination for healthcare. Feasibility studies revealed a need to plan for current caseloads and future growth and resulted in the new St. Tammany Health System Surgery Center. Construction on the center began in October 2022, and it opened in March 2025.
“Collaboration with departments of the hospital helped determine the needs of the sterile processing department, lab, pharmacy and other spaces needed to support surgery,” says Becky Parks, partner and executive vice president at fl + WB Architects. “Healthcare codes, along with decisions based on caseloads, drove the needs for pre and post-op [areas] and the overnight rooms.”
Maegen Shifter, project designer at Southern Interior Solutions, also was involved in the project. In her role of providing comprehensive interior design services, she oversaw the selection and procurement of all furniture, finishes and medical casework. “My responsibilities include space planning, design development, product selections, and creating 3D visualizations, drawings and renderings, to support project goals established during the initial phases,” she says.
Monica Whitfield, interior design coordinator for the project, also played a key role in the center’s formation. “She provided invaluable guidance on the overall design to ensure the environment was both functional and welcoming,” Shifter says. “Monica’s dedication to end users was truly inspiring—she prioritized accessibility, safety and comfort, creating spaces that help ease the stress of patients and their loved ones as they navigate their medical experience. Her attention to detail and commitment to enhancing the patient experience made a significant impact on the project’s success.”
The 126,000-square-foot center now includes a wide range of thoughtfully designed spaces to support both patient care and staff efficiency. Key areas include 24 private pre-operation rooms, 12 advanced operating rooms, 18 private post-operation rooms, 15 private rooms for 23-hour stays, a first-floor lobby with a cafe run by Ballard Brands, offices, a large conference room, locker rooms and dedicated lounges for staff and physicians, nursing stations, a sterile processing department, a pharmacy, lab and a physical plant housing mechanical and emergency power equipment.
“The interior design has been carefully crafted to meet the specific needs of both the facility and its patients,” Shifter says. “Patient-centered elements such as soothing color palettes and thoughtfully arranged seating create a calming atmosphere in the lobby, patient rooms and staff areas. The 23-hour patient rooms are designed with comfort in mind, featuring sleeper sofas for family members and a functional layout to support both short-term stays and overnight accommodations.”
The design teams decided to homogenize typical spaces like the pre- and post-operation rooms, operating rooms and 23-hour stay rooms.
“Standardizing these spaces improves patient care and staff effectiveness due to operational efficiencies,” Parks says. “The pre-op area consists of four pods that include six private pre-op rooms, a nurses’ station and staff-support space. Each pod shares additional support spaces within the pre-op department. The post-op area, which consists of three- to six-room pods, was designed with similar concepts to standardize spaces.”
According to Parks, materials such as impact-resistant gypsum board and wall protection minimize maintenance on walls that may be damaged by equipment. Meanwhile, rubber flooring in the main circulation corridors and patient-care areas provides durability, reduces noise reduction and feels cushioned.
“The inspiration for the new design came from a combination of sources,” Shifter says. “My significant experience in healthcare design played a key role, guiding decisions that prioritize patient comfort and operational efficiency. Additionally, I drew inspiration from the existing St. Tammany Health System facilities. Observing their established aesthetic and understanding their operational needs helped ensure the new surgery center would align seamlessly with the broader vision of the health system, while still offering a fresh and modern environment.”
To meet these needs, SIS and fl +WB incorporated soft, soothing color palettes and strategic arrangements that create a sense of tranquility. For example, with a mix of lounge seating and functional configurations, the seating areas in the lobby were strategically arranged to provide both privacy and comfort, to accommodate varying needs.
All furniture and millwork were custom-designed to complement the unique requirements of each area within the facility. Notably, the curved furniture pieces in the lobby were specially designed to enhance circulation, creating a smooth flow while maintaining an aesthetically cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Seating options like recliners and gliders, also were custom-designed to provide optimal comfort for patients and caregivers.
The integration of healing elements, like carefully chosen artwork by the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation’s Healing Arts Initiative, brings a sense of serenity and warmth to the space. In addition to curating the artwork throughout the center, the foundation also commissioned a 20-foot-by-20-foot mural in the main lobby by local artist Zac Maras. “We were so impressed with Zac’s work that the Healing Arts Initiative also had him paint an aquatic-themed mural in the pediatric waiting space of the adjacent outpatient pavilion,” Parks says.
Overall, the St. Tammany Health System Surgery Center combines soothing, soft textures and materials with clean, contemporary lines to create a serene atmosphere — all while supporting the operational needs of the facility. “The aesthetic is modern yet welcoming, with a calming color palette,” Shifter says.
“I am proud of the amount of planning and collaboration that took place between the design team; different departments of St. Tammany Health System, including construction management and the surgical team; and the contractor, McMath Construction; as well as the sub-contractors,” Parks says. “The design and construction was an accelerated process, and everyone rose to the challenge to make the project successful.”
St. Tammany Health System Surgery Center
16282 LA-1085, Covington // 985-871-6840
sttammany.health/sthssurgerycenter
IG: @sthealthsystem // FB: sttammanyhealthsystem
Quick Look
Number of Years in Operation: Opened for operation in March 2025
Style of Architecture: Modern
Square Footage: 126,000
Number of Employees: Approximately 125 employees when fully staffed
Architecture: fl+WB Architects
Interior Décor: fl+WB Architects
Art and furnishings: SIS and St. Tammany Health Healing Arts
