When you walk through the doors of Slidell Memorial Hospital, you'll immediately sense the unique energy of a community-focused hospital backed by the resources and reputation of Louisiana's largest academic medical center. Founded in 1959 and serving the Northshore community for over 60 years, SMH has evolved from a small community hospital into a sophisticated healthcare destination that combines the personal touch of community medicine with cutting-edge technology and clinical excellence. The recent completion of a new Surgical Services and Patient Care Tower, featuring the state-of-the-art da Vinci 5 surgical robot, represents the hospital's ongoing commitment to bringing the most advanced care directly to the patients who call this region home.
As a 223-bed acute care facility with strong financial performance ($311.5 million in net patient revenue) and 1,187 dedicated employees, Slidell Memorial offers the perfect scale for meaningful physician practice – large enough to provide comprehensive services and advanced technology, yet intimate enough to foster genuine relationships with colleagues and patients. The East Campus, located directly across from your urology clinic, specializes in robotic surgery, orthopedics, and advanced procedural care, ensuring your surgical patients receive care in a purpose-built, modern environment designed for optimal outcomes. With over 10,000 annual discharges and 37,000+ emergency department visits, you'll practice in a busy yet manageable environment that ensures steady clinical volume.
Your practice at Slidell Memorial Hospital benefits from a unique operational model that provides access to Ochsner's extensive resources while maintaining the autonomy and community focus that makes practicing here so rewarding. Through the long-term strategic partnership with Ochsner, more patients are being treated closer to home, while still having access to the nationally recognized specialists and the depth and breadth of care Ochsner is known for. This collaboration has led to measurable improvements in patient outcomes and decreased complications while expanding access to services that previously required travel to New Orleans.
As part of the broader Ochsner Health system – the largest non-profit, academic healthcare system operating in Louisiana, with 46 hospitals and over 370 health and urgent care centers across the Gulf South – you'll have immediate access to subspecialty consultations, clinical trials, and continuing education opportunities. Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. As the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals. Yet you'll practice with the freedom and community connection that makes Slidell Memorial feel like home rather than just another hospital assignment.
The hospital operates as a political subdivision of Louisiana, functioning as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, ensuring that patient care and community benefit rather than profit margins drive decision-making. This mission-driven approach creates an environment where physicians can focus on excellent patient care without the pressures often found in for-profit healthcare systems.
Slidell Memorial Hospital has earned significant recognition for both clinical quality and community service, reflecting the high standards you'll experience as part of the medical staff. With strong financial fundamentals including $91.6 million cash on hand and a solid payor mix (80.5% private pay/commercial insurance, demonstrating the community's strong insurance coverage), SMH provides the stability and resources necessary for long-term practice success. The hospital's case mix index of 1.61 indicates a more complex patient population, ensuring intellectually stimulating cases while the 4.08 average length of stay demonstrates efficient care delivery.
Slidell Memorial Hospital received an "A" for Fall 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for consistently demonstrating commitment to putting patients first year after year. This recognition places SMH among the top hospitals nationally for patient safety, providing confidence that your patients receive care in an environment designed to minimize risk and maximize outcomes. The hospital serves a primary service area spanning from Slidell (70458, 70460, 70461) to Pearl River, Louisiana (70452) and extending into Picayune, Mississippi (39466), creating a stable, geographic patient base of over 70,000 people.
The hospital's community impact extends well beyond traditional healthcare delivery. As a designated Primary Stroke Center and Louisiana Birth Ready Designated Birthing Center, SMH serves as a regional healthcare anchor. The SMH Regional Cancer Center represents the only comprehensive cancer facility in East St. Tammany, demonstrating the hospital's commitment to ensuring patients can receive complex care close to home. With significant revenue generation in key service lines including cardiovascular care ($8.8M), diabetes management ($9.5M), and infectious disease treatment, the hospital demonstrates both clinical expertise and financial strength in areas that commonly intersect with urological care.
Your urology practice will benefit from this reputation for excellence and community trust. The hospital's 60-year history in Slidell has created deep relationships with referring physicians, patients, and families who view SMH as their healthcare home. This established reputation, combined with the clinical resources available through the Ochsner partnership, positions your practice for both immediate success and long-term growth.
This is more than just a practice location – it's an opportunity to become part of a healthcare institution that has shaped and served this community for generations while embracing the innovation and excellence needed to meet tomorrow's healthcare challenges.