Tulane Board Ratifies Agreement for New University Medical Center

Today the Board of Tulane unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that details how a proposed teaching hospital in New Orleans will be governed.

In a teleconference, Board Chair Jay Lapeyre and Tulane President Scott Cowen outlined the MOU that was negotiated by Gov. Bobby Jindal"s senior staff and was accepted earlier today by the LSU Board of Supervisors.

“We are pleased for New Orleans and for Louisiana that we have reached agreement on a MOU that ensures the new University Medical Center will be governed with the appropriate controls and safeguards, including independent oversight, which will guarantee it is properly managed and fulfills the needs of the community,” Cowen said. “Achieving this goal was Tulane"s primary focus.”

Additionally, the MOU provides assurances for Tulane that its Graduate Medical Education program will continue to be an integral part of the new University Medical Center, just as it was in the Medical Center of Louisiana in New Orleans, including Charity Hospital, for 175 years.

The Governor and his staff played a pivotal role in bringing this issue to closure, Cowen said.

“It is now time to fund, build and operate a world-class University Medical Center that will be a source of pride and accomplishment while also increasing the number of healthcare providers for our community and State,” Cowen said.