listen to this articleLSU has hired former state Health Secretary Courtney Phillips, who worked for Gov. John Bel Edwards during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the university system's top administrator to oversee health care. Her official title will be Vice President of Health and Chief Health Officer.
The LSU system includes schools of medicine and health care in New Orleans and Shreveport, as well as the Pennington Biomedical Center in Baton Rouge, which focuses on health care research. LSU also has a residency program, trains hundreds of doctors, and manages the last remaining state public hospital in Independence.
“[Phillips] LSU Chancellor Bill Tate is working to maximize financial health in all health-related areas, increase operational efficiencies, develop new revenue streams, and leverage related strengths across campus. We look forward to working with each of you across campus,” said LSU President Bill Tate. Email LSU leadership.
Tate said Phillips will report directly to him as university president.
Phillips led the state health department for Edwards from 2020 to April 2023, when the department managed the coronavirus outbreak and launched an unprecedented vaccination program. Ta. She also previously served as former Gov. Bobby Jindal's top health care administrator.
Phillips previously worked for Edwards, a Democrat, but has been advising and supporting Republican Gov. Jeff Landry on health care issues since he was elected last fall. She was a member of the Governor's Health Care Transition Council, and when Landry took office, she assisted current Louisiana Health Secretary Ralph Abraham with health care financing issues.
During his time as state health secretary, Phillips oversaw more than the COVID-19 crisis. She adopted extending postpartum coverage for Medicaid recipients from six weeks to one year and expanding dental coverage for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Medicaid program.
But she was also in charge of the health department during the high-profile botched evacuation of hundreds of nursing home residents to a warehouse in Independence during Hurricane Ida.
Phillips did not respond to calls and text messages sent to her cell phone Monday about her new job. LSU also did not say what Phillips' compensation package would include.
LSU's Board of Supervisors must also approve her employment before Phillips becomes a full-time employee.
