By Staff Reports
The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed that its Health Standards Section recently conducted an on-site survey at Northern Louisiana Medical Center, a move that comes amid heightened public concerns about patient care.
Amy Whitehead, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Health, confirmed the survey activities but said the agency could not comment on any potential findings while the process remains ongoing.
“LDH can confirm that its Health Standards Section has conducted on-site survey activities at Northern Louisiana Medical Center in Ruston,” Whitehead said in a statement. “The survey process will determine compliance with federal and state laws applicable to hospitals.”
The survey comes during a period of transition and increased community focus on health care in Lincoln Parish.
Northern Louisiana Medical Center was sold in March 2020 by Community Health Systems to affiliates of Allegiance Health Management, a health care system led by Rock Bordelon. Green Clinic was later acquired by the same entity on Nov. 19, 2024.
The Lincoln Parish Police Jury has become increasingly involved in health care planning and oversight over the past few years because of growing concerns about health care access, service availability and the long-term viability of local health care infrastructure.
In 2025, the Police Jury partnered with the Lincoln Health Foundation and the City of Ruston to fund a comprehensive health care study of Lincoln Parish. Conducted by Whitecap Health Advisors, the study included a parishwide survey of residents and an analysis of existing health care services and future needs.
The final report, released in February 2026, found that Lincoln Parish is expected to continue growing in both population and economic activity and has sufficient demand to support an inpatient hospital, physician outpatient clinics and a cancer treatment center. The study also concluded that health care gaps already exist and will likely worsen without long-term planning and that partnerships and alternative funding sources will be necessary to maintain a viable health care system.
Among the study’s most notable findings was that residents were increasingly seeking health care services outside Lincoln Parish, suggesting declining confidence in local health care options.
The Lincoln Parish Police Jury unanimously requested a state review of NLMC in May.
Whitehead said the department is limited in what information it can release until the survey process is completed.
“LDH cannot comment further on ongoing survey activities at this time; however, if deficiencies are cited against the hospital, such deficiencies will be public record once the hospital has an opportunity to submit a plan of correction,” she said.
While state officials have not released details regarding the scope of the survey or any potential findings, Northern Louisiana Medical Center acknowledged the review process in a statement posted Friday on its Facebook page.
“Over the past several weeks, we recognize there have been many conversations, questions, and concerns regarding our hospital,” the statement read. “We want our employees, patients and community to know that we remain focused on our mission and on continually improving the care and services we provide.”
Hospital officials said the survey process has concluded and pledged to continue addressing areas identified for improvement.
“We recently concluded our survey process with the appropriate state agencies and will continue working diligently to address opportunities for improvement while strengthening our hospital for the future,” the statement continued.
The hospital also announced a new leadership team. Northern Louisiana Medical Center named Monica Adams chief executive officer, Arnie Young chief operating officer and Jennifer Patton chief nursing officer.
The hospital emphasized its commitment to serving the community.
“Our commitment is simple: to serve our community with compassion, accountability and transparency while continuing to invest in the people and programs that make Northern Louisiana Medical Center an important part of our region,” the statement said.
The Louisiana Department of Health survey carries significant implications because hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs must comply with numerous federal and state regulations related to patient care, safety, staffing, quality assurance and facility operations. When deficiencies are identified during a survey, hospitals generally are required to submit corrective action plans outlining how and when compliance issues will be addressed.
