Ochsner Opens New Facility in Central

CENTRAL — The new Ochsner Health Clinic Central held ribbon-cutting ceremonies last Wednesday with top executives and physicians from Ochsner’s on hand.

Central resident Dr. Keith Holmes cut the ribbon and said, “This is an opportunity for the Ochsner Central family to celebrate and welcome the community to our new, expanded clinic.  The newly-built facility allows for the addition of more physicians and medical specialties.”

“We’re proud to be a larger part of the community and to bring health care closer to home for local families,” he said.

Dr. Holmes said bringing a full-time clinic of Ochsner’s had been a dream of his for many years, and other speakers commended him for his persistence in selling the benefits of Central to Ochsner’s.

But Dr. Robert Hart, Ochsner medical director, joked that Dr. Holmes’ real reason was to get a shorter commute.  Dr. Hart cited the growth of Ochsner’s Prairieville clinic, and he thought the Central clinic would grow as well, especially as more specialities are rotated into the clinic.

The clinic, located at 11424 Sullivan Rd., will feature

• 7,500 square feet of space

• 12 exam rooms

• Laboratory services

• Imaging services, including

x-ray

The public is invited to the clinic for a free Family Fun Day on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Activities will include

• A winter wonderland of snow

• Bring your camera for photos with Santa Claus

• Refreshments

• Tours of the new facility

• Central Fire Department and Acadian Ambulance unit tours The following providers will be available at the new Central health center location:

• Keith Holmes, MD (Internal Medicine)

• Kenneth Gaddis, MD (Neurology)

• Lei Gao, MD (Cardiology)

• Gregory Gaspard, MD (Gastroenterology)

• Lois Gesn, MD (Pediatrics)

• Alicia Kober, MD (Pediatrics)

• Salvador Velazquez, MD (Cardiology)

FAMILY FUN DAY

Ochsner Clinic, 11424 Sullivan Road

Saturday, Dec. 10 • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Everyone Invited – It’s Free!