Photos: Sounds of progress in Mid-City

The jazzy sounds of JD Hill and the Jammers created a festive atmosphere on Thursday (June 7) in Mid-City New Orleans for the dedication of a new Tulane healthcare facility. The ceremony marked the official opening of the Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center and Brinton Family Health & Healing Center.

At the location that was Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, 711 N. Broad St., the 11,000-square-foot center offers high-quality, cost-effective health care to residents.


Dr. Christopher A. Joplin, Tulane clinical assistant professor of medicine, sits in on drums for JD Hill and the Jammers as the band plays at the dedication ceremony.


Joining the audience for the event are, from left, front row, Saundra Levy; Cleland Powell; Randy Fertel, son of Ruth's Chris founder, the late Ruth U. Fertel; Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Tulane professor of medicine and New Orleans health commissioner; Dr. Benjamin Sachs, dean of the Tulane University School of Medicine; and Shirley Haspel.


New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, front, leads the ribbon cutting for the new center, along with (from left) Delia Brinton, Katherine Crawford, Bill Brinton, DeSalvo, Tulane President Scott Cowen, Haspel, Sachs and Powell.

Landrieu enjoys a happy moment with Haspel, center, and DeSalvo.


The opening of the new health center, long in the planning, brings a celebratory moment for (from left) Dr. Eboni Price, clinic co-executive director; DeSalvo; and Leah Berger Jensen, executive director for the medical school's Office of Community Affairs and Health Policy.


Some of the clinic staff members gather during the opening event. The center is open weekly from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., offering expanded hours until 7 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.