One of Only Eight Locations Selected Nationwide
Shreveport, La. – LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) has been selected as one of only eight sites nationwide—and just one of two in the southern United States—for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Pilot Program, a major initiative spearheaded by the Department of Defense and the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH).
This five-year, Congressionally authorized program is designed to boost the nation’s ability to respond to large-scale combat operations or catastrophic events by strengthening coordination between civilian and military healthcare systems. LSUHS’s selection is a significant recognition of the institution’s leadership in disaster preparedness, research, education, and regional impact.
Why LSUHS?
The Shreveport-based academic medical center was chosen for its strategic location near Barksdale Air Force Base, extensive healthcare training capabilities, strong institutional expertise, and broad-based community partnerships. Its role as a regional academic hub and its robust infrastructure make it an ideal candidate to lead the charge in expanding national readiness.
“We take this privilege and responsibility seriously and will work tirelessly to prepare and execute a disaster response which delivers an optimal outcome for those injured in a war or natural disaster,” said Dr. John Vanchiere, MD, PhD, of LSU Health Shreveport.
What’s Next?
The program officially kicked off with an inaugural planning meeting held April 14-16, bringing together LSUHS leadership, community stakeholders, and representatives from the Uniformed Services University, Veterans Health Administration, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
LSU Health Shreveport will now focus on establishing new partnerships and strengthening existing collaborations with both public and private entities. The goal: to ensure healthcare systems can seamlessly respond to high-casualty events through an integrated and scalable approach.
A National Role
LSUHS is also a member of the NCDMPH’s Joint Disaster Medicine and Public Health Ecosystem—an elite network of institutions across the country recognized for excellence in disaster response. LSUHS was one of the first partners in this ecosystem and remains the only one based in Louisiana.
To learn more about the NDMS Pilot Program, visit ncdmph.usuhs.edu/ndms-pilot.