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Second Healthcare Sector Partnership meeting to focus on structure, methods
Initiative aimed at meeting industry needs in Lafourche, Assumption, Terrebonne

BATON ROUGE – On Sept. 6, the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and its partners will hold the second meeting pertaining to a new initiative in South Louisiana aimed at meeting needs specific to the Healthcare industry.

The Region 3 – Lafourche, Assumption and Terrebonne (LAT) Healthcare Sector Partnership, launched in March 2018, is the product of partnerships forged among the LWC, employers and community organizations.

While the partnership’s initial meeting focused on identifying and prioritizing common industry needs, organizers plan to utilize the upcoming summit to collect industry recommendations for the initiative’s structure and methodology; to discuss possible commitments for shared action; to identify possible new prospects; and to address requirements necessary for collective action. The meeting will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the Terrebonne Parish North Branch Library, 4130 West Park Ave., Gray, La.

LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie said the meeting setting allows for program refinement, while the partnerships serve to best address crucial needs within the Healthcare sector.

“Collaboration is vital when pursuing an initiative of this magnitude,” Sec. Dejoie said. “We anticipate significant short-and long-term growth in the Healthcare sector, which reinforces the need for this type of endeavor. The LWC is truly grateful for the opportunity to be a component of such an comprehensive, innovative partnership.”

Christy Hockaday, CEO of Assumption Community Hospital, and Chad Matthews, President of Bayou Chapter of Medical Managers, co-chair the partnership.

Hockaday is pleased with the progress made in the introductory meeting and looks forward to more in-depth discussions in September.

“The LAT3 Partnership is a coming together of interested workforce and healthcare professionals to enhance collaboration and relationships with a common purpose. That purpose is to simultaneously develop workforce opportunities and better connect the dots of providing healthcare in our three parishes,” Hockaday said. “We’ve gotten off to a great start with significant potential before us for this common purpose. In every collaboration such as this, you must start with the basics and build upon common ground quickly. I’m encouraged the group was able to identify shared need early in the process. It’s been clear that those who participate and have provided a voice in this process have made the most impact in the direction we go; often, a life lesson for us all when we choose to get involved to make a difference.”

Matthews emphasized the need for the program, especially within Region 3.

“By bringing together those who have a vested interest in the future of healthcare in our region, the LAT3 partnership has brought focus to the common needs of the area’s healthcare system. Development of future healthcare professionals is vital to the sustainability of the industry in the tri-parish area, and this partnership has identified areas which require additional resources for workforce training in order to meet those needs,” he said.

Other support partners, in addition to the LWC, include Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, LAT Workforce Development Board/Work Connection, Adult Education and Fletcher Technical Community College. Assumption Community Hospital is an affiliate of Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge and the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

Members of the healthcare industry may RSVP by contacting LWC Industry Sector Specialist Cheri Blanchard at cblanchard1@lwc.la.gov.

About the Louisiana Workforce Commission

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is an agency of state government that administers programs designed to enhance workforce growth and provide family-sustaining jobs for Louisiana residents. The commission monitors employment, administers unemployment compensation and tax funds, provides training resources for employers and employees and oversees worker compensation benefits. The agency also gathers and supplies information on the labor market and occupational sectors in Louisiana.

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