Jennings American Legion Hospital And Lafayette General Health Announce Clinical Affiliation

JENNINGS, La. – Jennings American Legion Hospital (JALH) has joined Lafayette General Health (LGH) system as part of a clinical affiliation agreement signed on May 10. The clinical affiliation between LGH and JALH is neither a purchase nor an acquisition. While each organization’s ownership and governance structure will remain the same, the affiliation will enhance the economies of scale for both organizations and allow for sharing of best practices.

As health care moves from payments for volume to value-based reimbursement, this affiliation will strategically position JALH for continued success. Those that can deliver care more efficiently and cost-effectively, leading to better patient outcomes, will see increased financial stability and long-term viability.

The goal of the agreement is to produce a partnership that focuses on producing high-quality, coordinated care to the residents of Jefferson Davis Parish and surrounding areas. The past successes of LGH clinical affiliations lie in the belief that care should remain local. LGH will offer clinical pathways that can provide lifesaving access to Lafayette General Medical Center’s (LGMC) trauma program for severe injuries needing the resources of a larger facility. This will allow JALH to treat more patients locally and rely on LGMC for critical expertise.

Lafayette General Health currently owns or manages Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette General Southwest, Lafayette General Surgical Hospital, University Hospital & Clinics, St. Martin Hospital, Acadia General Hospital and Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital, and has a collaboration agreement with Opelousas General Health System. LGH has clinical affiliations with Franklin Foundation, Abbeville General, Iberia Medical Center and Bunkie General.

“We are excited about this clinical affiliation with Lafayette General Health,” stated JALH CEO Dana Williams. “This will strengthen our ability to care for the people in our community. LGH can provide greater purchasing power on supplies and equipment and help with clinical protocol alignment.”

Like JALH, many of LGH’s facilities are non-profit community hospitals. The partners share a similar mindset of reinvesting excess margins back into the hospital through expanded technology, upgraded facilities and improved operations.

“Jennings American Legion Hospital is a great asset to our health system,” said LGH President David L. Callecod, FACHE. “We continue to help local hospitals retain their patients and further solidify their place within each respective community. We look forward to a great relationship with Jennings American Legion.”