A state lawmaker is worried about the future of LSU Health Shreveport. The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved major organizational changes that include giving the Baton Rouge campus direct oversight of research operations at its research institutions. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly says the restructuring ends 25 years of local autonomy for LSU Health Shreveport.
“The work being done in Baton Rouge and in New Orleans is different than the work being done in Shreveport, as we all know. Often forgot about when it comes to state issues and state politics, and that’s certainly something that concerns me,” Pressly said.
LSU Chancellor James Dalton says a unified research structure better positions LSU to successfully compete for major grants, attract exceptional faculty and expand discoveries that can improve life in Louisiana. But Pressly is concerned LSU Health New Orleans and Pennington Research Center in New Orleans will get more of the research grant dollars.
“Knowing the continued stepsister approach that LSU Shreveport, LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport has had, I’m definitely concerned about that aspect of things,” Pressly said.
Pressly says he’s received assurances from LSU Board Chairman Scott Ballard that LSU Health New Orleans will not get more attention than LSU Health Shreveport. Pressly says he will make sure that Ballard and other LSU leaders stick to their word.
“I want to make sure that we are at the forefront of any new grants that come in. And we continue to be a leader in science and research,” Pressly said.
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