SHREVEPORT, La. — U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow visited LSU Health Shreveport this week, emphasizing the importance of federal investment in medical research and touring the institution’s newest education facility.
Letlow, who represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, toured the Center for Medical Education Building, a recently completed facility designed to support team-based and active learning for medical students. The visit included stops at instructional classrooms, simulation labs and the Bakowski Center for Culinary Medicine.
During a public forum, Letlow met with students from the School of Medicine, School of Health Professions and Sciences, and the School of Graduate Studies. The discussion focused on healthcare policy, research funding and the future of medical education.
“I am a huge believer in research. That is how we’re going to change the world. That is how we’re going to cure cancer,” Letlow said in response to questions from PhD candidates working in cancer and cardiovascular research. “I have the awesome responsibility of serving on the appropriations committee, that actually holds the purse strings for how much funding NIH receives, and I go to bat every year. There are certain people who want to cut back, but it’s too important. It is absolutely vital.”
Letlow’s remarks highlighted the role of federal appropriations in supporting the National Institutes of Health, a key source of research funding for academic medical centers.
The visit also reflects Letlow’s ongoing ties to LSU Health Shreveport. She previously delivered a commencement address at the institution and has shared personal experiences related to care her family received at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her visit underscores continued congressional engagement with academic health institutions as they expand training capacity and research initiatives aimed at addressing workforce needs and advancing medical science.