3 minute read
Inside Northside Sep-Oct 2025
A Hospital with a Heart
REDEFINING CARE IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA
In an era when healthcare often feels rushed and impersonal, one local hospital is charting a different course. Built on the belief that patients deserve both world-class medical care and a thoughtful, welcoming environment, the facility has quickly become a model for what modern medicine can and should look like.
The vision was brought to life by physicians Matthew Bernard, Michael Christner, Brent Giuffre, Mark McInnis, and other ER doctors in the community. Together, this team of Board-Certified Emergency Physicians shared the conviction that their community deserved better. Starting a hospital from the ground up required courage, perseverance, and a team willing to push past countless obstacles. What emerged is more than a place to treat illness; it is a space designed to restore dignity, reduce stress, and meet the community’s needs with compassion at every level.
From the moment visitors arrive, the difference is clear. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, filled with details that feel far removed from the sterile environments many have come to expect. Freshly baked bread, often rosemary focaccia made with herbs grown in the hospital garden, perfumes the air. Bird feeders maintained by staff bring life to the outdoor spaces, while turtles drift lazily in a pond nearby. These touches are not superficial amenities but part of a deeper culture rooted in presence, joy, and respect for both patients and the team who care for them.
That culture has translated into exceptional patient experiences. Many describe their stay as more reminiscent of a boutique retreat than a traditional hospital visit. At the same time, the facility has earned attention for its advanced approach to medicine. Alongside a full-service emergency department and inpatient care, it offers forward-thinking wellness and screening options. Whole-body MRI and groundbreaking cancer detection through liquid biopsy, capable of identifying over 50 types of cancer with a single blood draw, place the hospital on the cutting edge of preventive care.
The philosophy is simple yet transformative: anticipate needs, address concerns early, and provide an environment that heals in more ways than one. As the community’s response continues to grow, expansion may be on the horizon. Yet the commitment remains unchanged. The hospital belongs to the people it serves, and its future will evolve in step with their needs.
In Southeast Louisiana, where hospitality is a way of life, this hospital has embraced that tradition fully. It proves that medicine, at its best, is not only about curing illness but also about creating a space where patients and caregivers alike feel valued, respected, and at home. As part of that commitment, the hospital welcomes all major commercial insurance plans. While federal regulations prevent it from accepting Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare, staff work closely with patients to provide clarity and support in navigating coverage.
407 LA-59, Mandeville, LA 70471 (985) 951-3650 | covingtonhospital.com
