In Development: Partners in Progress

IN DEVELOPMENT

Partners in Progress

How Southeastern and North Oaks Are Shaping the Future of Sports Medicine in Louisiana

On a sunlit morning in May, Strawberry Stadium set the stage as Southeastern Louisiana University prepared to mark a major milestone. University and North Oaks leaders gathered with community members for a groundbreaking ceremony that marked a pivotal step forward for sports medicine and healthcare education in the region.

The event celebrated the launch of the North Oaks Health System Academic and Athletic Complex, a facility expansion project sponsored by North Oaks Health System. The partnership brings together innovation, education and athletics with long-term benefits for the Northshore and beyond.

For Southeastern President Dr. William Wainwright, the collaboration with North Oaks builds on years of shared purpose and partnership. As the official healthcare provider for Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics, North Oaks has long played an integral role on campus. “North Oaks has supported us in many ways over the years,” Wainwright said. “From sponsoring arts and cultural events to providing access to dietitians and athletic trainers, they have always been deeply embedded in our student community.”

What the Complex Includes

Housing the University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program, the complex creates a space where academics and athletics intersect. With modern equipment, new locker rooms, and integrated medical spaces for treating student-athletes and sports nutrition, it supports both physical development and academic achievement.

Wainwright emphasized the importance of combining modern upgrades with existing resources. “We are honoring the state’s investment in infrastructure while expanding the facility’s capacity to train the next generation of healthcare professionals and athletes,” he said.

Training Ground for the Future

The Master’s of Athletic Training program is one of three in the state. North Oaks contributes the program’s medical director and several faculty members, ensuring that students receive training from practitioners who are actively working in the field.

“This program combines classroom learning with real clinical experience,” North Oaks President and CEO Michele K. Sutton, FACHE, said. “Students work in the clinic, on the playing field, and observe in the operating room.”

Students will also gain experience at junior high and high schools across Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes. North Oaks athletic trainers currently serve 14 area high schools, offering experiences in sideline coverage, rehabilitation of student-athletes, and a network of mentorship for student athletic trainers within these schools.

Workforce Development in Action

This facility arrives at a critical moment for healthcare staffing in Louisiana. A new state law requires every high school to employ a certified athletic trainer. That demand has created new opportunities for qualified professionals, and Southeastern is preparing students to meet the need.

“This program directly addresses workforce shortages,” Wainwright said. “It will boost the number of trained professionals ready to work in schools and clinics.”

The initiative offers more than classroom instruction. Through Southeastern and North Oaks’ partnership, students benefit from stipends, mentorship, an athletic training tech program and career ladders that can take them from training rooms and playing fields as athletic trainers to orthopedic clinics as ortho techs, and operating rooms as surgical certified orthopedic assistants. Internships through Southeastern Athletics, North Oaks Sports Medicine’s partner schools and programs like Chappapeela Sports Park will prepare them for a variety of roles, including athletic training and orthopedic support.

Looking Ahead

As the groundbreaking ceremony concluded, Wainwright and Sutton reflected on the bigger picture.

“Our mission is to improve lives every time, every touch,” said Sutton. “This is an investment in community health and shows what trusted partners can accomplish when they share a vision. It is inspiring to see collaboration lead to something this impactful.”

Wainwright agreed. “The facility matters, but the most important part is what happens inside. Teaching and training can truly change lives.”

Southeastern and North Oaks are laying the foundation for a new era of healthcare education. This partnership brings together education, innovation and community care to advance the health and well-being of the entire region.

When the golden shovels struck the dirt, they marked more than the start of construction. They marked a shared commitment to the future.