Woman’s Hospital has committed $5 million over the next three years to support the expansion of the Southern University and A&M College of Nursing and Allied Health, in partnership with the Southern University System Foundation. This transformational investment will double the College’s enrollment capacity and significantly strengthen Louisiana’s nursing workforce.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the Southern University Board of Supervisors by Sandra Brown, vice chancellor of health initiatives and dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health, who emphasized the critical role the expansion will play in addressing maternal and infant health outcomes—particularly in communities disproportionately impacted by healthcare disparities.
“As we plan for a new nursing building, this gift will increase our capacity to educate more nurses by expanding classrooms, simulation laboratories, and clinical training space,” Brown said. “This partnership assures that more nurses will be trained to improve maternal and infant health statewide.”
Rene Ragas, Woman’s Hospital president and CEO, underscored the significance of the commitment and the shared mission between the institutions.
“I’m proud to announce that Woman’s Hospital will make this transformational investment of $5 million to Southern University College of Nursing and Allied Health,” Ragas said. “We hope this partnership will strengthen a vital pipeline of skilled, compassionate nurses for our community and build on a strong foundation of expanding nursing education and encourage more students to pursue this essential and honorable profession.”
Woman’s Hospital is a statewide leader in maternal and infant care, including specialized maternity mental health services addressing postpartum depression and related conditions. These services attract patients from across Louisiana and beyond, increasing demand for highly trained nurses specializing in women’s and maternal health.
The partnership builds on an already strong pipeline between the institutions. Since 2019, Woman’s Hospital has hired more than 115 graduates of Southern University’s College of Nursing and Allied Health. Currently, more than 140 Southern University nursing students are in clinical training at Woman’s Hospital annually across labor and delivery, emergency services, neonatal intensive care, surgical services, and medical-surgical oncology units. State leaders, including Representative Dustin Miller and Senator Regina Barrow, were recognized for their leadership and advocacy in advancing the initiative.
“Once this expansion is complete, Southern University College of Nursing and Allied Health will double its enrollment,” Miller said. “Southern University will be positioned to educate more African-American nurses annually than any institution in the country. “
The expanded facility will allow Southern University to increase enrollment, strengthen clinical training, and prepare more nurses to serve in maternity care settings and healthcare deserts throughout Louisiana and the region.