New LJCMC Women's Clinic Offers More to Patients

Houma - Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center cut the ribbon for its new Women's Clinic March 2. However, to meet the demand for services, staff have been seeing patients in the new building since October 30, 2006.

"The goal of this new clinic is primarily to provide medical services in obstetrics and gynecology," Dr. Richard Robichaux, director of the Women's Clinic, said. "We want to see that women who are unable to afford private medical care get the routine care that they deserve."

The 4000-sq.ft. portable building houses 12 exam rooms, three bathrooms, a spacious waiting room, and new equipment. Two RNs, two LPNs, one staff physician, two nurse practitioners, one physician assis-tant, and 12 OB/GYN residents staff the clinic.

The clinic provides obstetrics and routine gynecological services.

Before Hurricane Katrina, the old clinic saw 50 to 60 patients per day. Now 70 to 80 patients pass through the doors daily, which compounded the need for a larger building.

The new facility should attract even more patients, Dr. Robichaux said. "It is spacious compared to what we had previously, with 12 rooms instead of five. For instance, now we have a room for ultrasound."

The clinic will undergo continual evaluation to improve patient care, patient education, and patient satisfaction, said Kim Foret, RN, clinic manager of the Women's Clinic.

Dr. Robichaux said the main advantage to the new clinic is they have "a little more of everything." More space throughout the entire facility offers a more comfortable working environment. The clinic also has more medical instruments to benefit patient needs.

Foret has noticed a change in the attitudes of the staff and patients. "Everyone is happy about the new clinic. Patients are excited to come to a new facility," she said.

T he idea of a new clinic has been in the works for about ten years. The building that had housed the clinic was in need of significant repair.

"This clinic is an improvement of the service to women who can't afford private health care, and, as a result, they may have missed their proper health care," Dr. Robichaux said. "Now they have a quality place to be served."

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 112 Picone Rd., on the campus of LJCMC. For more information, call (985) 873-2025.