Accredited in 2023 and set to welcome its third class of resident physicians this March, the St. Tammany Health System/Ochsner Family Medicine Residency Program continues to build a strong foundation for training family medicine physicians committed to caring for the communities they serve – including the West 30s area of Covington.
Family medicine physicians are called to be active members of their communities, and for residents in the program, that commitment extends well beyond the clinic. The residency curriculum emphasizes hands-on community engagement, including participation in a patient advisory council, involvement in Healthier Northshore initiatives and direct work assessing community health needs and developing improvement plans.
Those values were put into action Dec. 3, when resident physicians volunteered alongside West 30s Redemption Co. to help renovate a home for one of the organization’s clients. The build day offered residents a meaningful opportunity to better understand the social drivers of health in the community while also giving back in a tangible, lasting way.
The STHS/Ochsner Family Medicine Residency Program is the only residency program in Louisiana to incorporate a lifestyle medicine curriculum across all years of training. One of the core pillars of lifestyle medicine is social connection, an essential element for physicians seeking to understand the real-world circumstances that influence health outcomes.
Working side by side on the build site, residents experienced firsthand how teamwork, service and community connection contribute to overall well-being, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on whole-person care and community partnership.
“The December build day was a powerful reminder that sometimes a little sweat, shared purpose and collaboration can truly be the best medicine,” said Dr. Lisa Casey, program director. “We were grateful for the opportunity to partner with an organization known for its dedication and heart for the community it serves, reflecting the same compassion and excellence St. Tammany Health System strives to deliver every day.”
The St. Tammany Health System/Ochsner Family Medicine team sees patients of all ages at its North Covington location, with same-day appointments available.