Ochsner Health has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Louisiana Women's Healthcare, the state's largest OB-GYN private practice located within Woman's Hospital.
LWH last year delivered more than 5,000 babies and conducted over 150,000 in-person patient visits, according to a press release.
"Together, we will be able to grow, expand access to coordinated care and bring even greater value to patients," said Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas in a prepared statement. "Our missions are aligned to improve the health and lives of women in the Baton Rouge community and across the entire state of Louisiana. This partnership is another example of Ochsner's growth, investment and commitment to the people of Baton Rouge."
"Our patients want online scheduling, telehealth appointments and ease of access to their medical records, and we want to meet and exceed those expectations," said Dr. O'Neil Parenton, LWH physician and finance chair. "Working with Ochsner will allow us to provide these important services to our patients on their nationally recognized electronic health record system."
LWH patients will be integrated into Ochsner's electronic health record platform from Epic by 2021. In 2020, Ochsner Health conducted 326,000 telehealth visits and patients scheduled more than 600,000 appointments online, according to a press release.
Ochsner is nationally known for its digital innovations, including one that will benefit LWH patients, the organizations said. Connected Maternity Online Monitoring program, known as Connected MOM, allows expectant mothers to send their weight and blood pressure readings in real-time to their OB care team.
LWH, will be co-branded with Ochsner but will retain its CEO, Kim Sangari.
"LWH and Ochsner share core values and a common philosophy," Sangari said in a press release. "We now have a new work family who shares our passion for serving women. It is beneficial to both organizations, as we'll be able to easily share resources as we navigate through challenges and opportunities together."
