About Rapides Regional Medical Center

When the time comes for medical attention, Rapides Regional Medical Center can meet your needs. Conveniently located in downtown Alexandria and easily accessible from throughout Central Louisiana, we offer a wide range of health care services. Rapides Regional Medical Center, a 380-bed hospital, includes Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital, featuring obstetrical/gynecological, pediatric and pediatric intensive care services; Rapides Cancer Center, offering a range of services for cancer patients; Rapides Heart Center, featuring comprehensive cardiac care from prevention to treatment to surgery; and the area's largest emergency department, offering the community the only Level II Trauma Center. With three area urgent care clinics, Rapides Urgent Care provides convenient care for minor injury and illness. Our 450 physicians and 2,000 employees are dedicated to living out our mission everyday to provide high quality, efficient and compassionate healthcare services for our patients and community.

Facts about Rapides Regional Medical Center

Founded in 1903 at the corner of Second and Lee streets in Alexandria, Louisiana, Rapides Regional Medical Center represents a proud heritage of compassionate healthcare services coupled with the most advanced technology of the day.

With a continued emphasis on progressive care, Rapides Regional Medical Center has grown to meet the continually changing needs of our patients and the rapidly advancing technology of modern healthcare. Located in downtown Alexandria and easily accessible from Interstate 49, the hospital is licensed for 362 beds and fully accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospital participates in the Medicare, Medicaid and Champus programs as well as a number of commercial insurance and managed care programs.

Rapides Regional Medical Center offers a wide array of services including general medicine, general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, bypass surgery, cardiac rehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery, intensive care and telemetry, oncology services, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedic services, physical therapy, skilled nursing services, respiratory therapy, lithotripsy and various outpatient services. At the beginning of 2012, Rapides Regional Medical Center became the first verified Level II Trauma Center in Louisiana. The medical staff includes physicians in more than 30 medical specialties.

Rapides Regional Medical Center set a shining example by becoming a three-time winner of the Louisiana Quality Award. This award honors businesses and organizations that are leaders in the pursuit of quality and service. Rapides Regional Medical Center was also honored by being named one of the nation's "100 Top Hospitals - Benchmarks for Success." The annual study lists hospitals based on quality, operations and financial management. In addition, we operate the area’s first Certified Stroke Center, offering comprehensive stroke care from the minute a patient walks through our door to the time they go home. Plus we are the only accredited, Cycle III Chest Pain Center in Central Louisiana.

In 1993, the operating assets and name of Rapides Regional Medical Center were sold to Central Louisiana Healthcare Systems Partnership. Then, in 1998, the joint venture restructured to a limited liability corporation - Rapides Healthcare System. Today, HCA continues to own a 74% interest and Rapides Foundation owns a 26% interest in the Rapides Healthcare System. The RHS board is represented by an equal third representation of HCA appointees, physicians and Rapides Foundation appointees.

Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital provides quality care for the entire family, while offering specialized services designed to fit your busy lifestyle. Our women’s healthcare services include obstetrics, gynecology, mammography, bone density testing, cosmetic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, osteoporosis prevention and education and breast self-exam education.

Our four-story facility is connected to the Medical Pavilion, a four-story physician office building – which is home to many of our OB/GYNs, the Rapides Specialty Clinic, cosmetic surgery and pediatricians. The hospital offers 10 Labor/Delivery/Recovery suites to accommodate natural births or those involving anesthesia. Five on-site surgery suites are dedicated to inpatient gynecological procedures, day surgery and cosmetic surgery.

The fourth floor of RW&CH is home to central Louisiana’s largest, most innovative Newborn Intensive Care Unit. This 32-bed facility is staffed with two neonatologists and nurses trained specifically in the care of sick or premature infants. RWCH is also home to Central Louisiana’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. This six-bed unit is staffed by Pediatric Intensivists. In addition, RWCH offers a 19-bed pediatric unit, 29-bed well baby nursery and 26 OB/post-partum unit.

A message from CEO Vernon Jones II

It is an honor to serve as the Chief Executive Officer as we celebrate on 120 years of providing exceptional and compassionate care to Central Louisiana.

We've cared for your family, neighbors, coworkers and loved ones – as well as we would care for our own. And that makes you one of us.

Rapides Regional Medical Center began in 1903 as a small, two-story wooden building with 20 beds and six physicians. Today, we’ve grown to a 380-bed, state-of-the-art medical facility with more than 450 physicians and 2,000 employees. We offer the area’s only Trauma Center and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, provide the largest Newborn ICU in the region and maintain the area’s most comprehensive cardiac program.

As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, our RRMC family takes pride in providing high-quality, efficient and compassionate care in this rapidly advancing era of modern medicine. Healthcare looks much different today than it did in 1903, but our mission and our calling remain the same.

Vernon Jones II's Signature

Vernon Jones II
Chief Executive Officer