In a packed signing ceremony at the LSU Health Sciences Center on Friday afternoon, Business Council Chairman Gregory Rusovich joined Governor Bobby Jindal, LSU System President John Lombardi, Tulane University President Scott Cowen and other community leaders in announcing an agreement outlining the governance structure for a new teaching hospital in New Orleans. The signing of the agreement sets the stage for the construction of the new hospital and the revitalization of medical education programs offered by the two universities. “The strong consensus which this action represents sends a clear message to Washington that we are together, we have done our work, and it’s now time for Washington to live up to its part of the bargain”, said Rusovich in his public remarks. This was primarily in reference to the unresolved matter of FEMA reimbursement for Katrina-related damage to Charity Hospital. He added, “This also gives a powerful boost to economic development in New Orleans and throughout the region. Coupled with our other power industries, oil and gas, the port, and tourism, we are putting another strong leg on our economic development stool. This is truly about jobs, jobs, jobs”
Rusovich also singled out board member Ron Forman for having led a Business Council task force in working with presidents Cowen and Lombardi as they engaged in the complex discussions which led to the governance Memorandum of Understanding. Forman and Rusovich, joined by board members John Hope, Nolan Rollins, Gary Solomon and David Voelker and managing director Bob Brown, were highly involved in a series of conversations with the university leaders over a three-month period that culminated in the final discussions with Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine and officials from the governor’s office.