SHREVEPORT, LA — LEMOINE celebrates a construction milestone at the LSU Health Sciences project in Shreveport, Louisiana, with the topping out of the Center for Medical Education and Wellness. In building construction, topping out is a builders’ rite held when the last beam is placed atop a structure.

The center broke ground at LSU Health Sciences campus in Shreveport in July of 2021. The $74-million project is a venture of Louisiana State University Health Sciences and Ochsner Health System. State and school officials hope the new facility incentivizes aspiring physicians to train and stay in Louisiana to address a growing shortage of doctors.

Spanning 187,000 square feet and four stories, the facility features a wellness center, three large teaching auditoriums, multipurpose and event space, clinical exam rooms, and a multitude of modern upgrades. In addition, the facility will be home to an Emerging Viral Threats laboratory.

Amassing over 66,000 man-hours since the start of construction, the project is on track to be completed summer 2023.

“It’s an honor to partner on this project,” said William Lemoine, President of Vertical Construction for LEMOINE. “Over the years our company has been fortunate to partner in building some of the most significant educational and health care facilities in the state of Louisiana. The Center for Medical Education will certainly be no exception as it is sure to foster excellence in education and health and wellness for our community. We look forward to delivering this extraordinary vision into a reality.”

The facility was designed by Perkins & Will and Coleman Partners Architects.