What does it take to shape the future of healthcare?
For FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake and LSU, it includes a bold vision, a groundbreaking partnership and a state-of-the-art facility designed to inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders.
The Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building isn’t just a new addition to LSU’s campus it’s a hub for scientific discovery. Designed to bring students, researchers and healthcare professionals together, the building is a cornerstone of the Championship Health Partnership between LSU and Our Lady of the Lake.
This partnership is redefining what’s possible in healthcare in Louisiana by creating a pipeline of healthcare professionals equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. The Interdisciplinary Science Building is a shared commitment to advancing education, fostering innovation and improving lives across the state.
Recently, three members of the LSU and FMOL Health community toured the new building to see firsthand how it will shape the future of healthcare education. From a current LSU student inspired by his own NICU story to a resident reflecting on the mentors who shaped her path and a seasoned physician training the next wave of doctors, their perspectives highlight the building’s potential to transform healthcare one student, one discovery and one community at a time.
A Personal Journey to Medicine
For Mason McCallum, a biochemistry major from Monroe, Louisiana, the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building represents an opportunity to turn his personal experiences into a career of service. Born two months prematurely and cared for in the NICU at FMOL Health | St. Francis Medical Center, Mason’s journey to medicine is deeply personal.
“Growing up, I saw the impact health issues can have on a family,” says Mason, who will graduate in 2027 from the LSU College of Science and the Ogden Honors College. “My mom spent months in the hospital, and as a curious 10-year-old, I had so many questions. Now, I want to be the person who can answer those questions for others.”
Mason’s connection to healthcare runs deep, and he aspires to be a neonatologist. His mom and aunt worked in neonatal care at St. Francis Medical Center, and his experiences at MedCamps of Louisiana solidified his desire to work with children.
“This building isn’t just about labs and classrooms,” he says. “It’s about giving students like me the tools to become the kind of doctors our communities need.”
Mentorship and the Path to Pediatrics
Brooklyn Squires, MD, a first-year pediatric resident at FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, knows firsthand the importance of spaces like the Interdisciplinary Science Building.
A 2021 graduate of LSU’s College of Science and the Ogden Honors College, Dr. Squires reflects on her time as an undergraduate student navigating the path to medicine.
“As a first-generation college graduate, the decision to pursue medicine was overwhelming,” Dr. Squires says. “But mentors and advisors at LSU believed in me and shaped my journey.”
For Dr. Squires, the new building will make a big difference for future students.
“This space will allow students to learn together, connect across disciplines and understand the importance of teamwork in medicine,” she says. “Better training today means better care for patients tomorrow.”
Dr. Squires says her training at Our Lady of the Lake is shaping her as both a physician and a person.
“I’m focused on pediatrics with complex care,” she says.
A Legacy of Leadership in Healthcare
Matthew Foy, MD, a nephrologist with FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake and associate professor of clinical medicine and director for undergraduate medical education for the LSU School of Medicine Baton Rouge regional campus, has seen the evolution of healthcare education over the years. A 2002 graduate of LSU’s College of Science, Dr. Foy now trains medical students and residents at Our Lady of the Lake.
He believes the partnership between LSU and FMOL Health is critical to addressing the challenges of today’s healthcare workforce.
“Up to 70 percent of healthcare providers in Louisiana have gone through medical training in this state,” Dr. Foy says. “This building is a signal that we believe in what we’re doing here. It’s about recruiting, retaining and excelling in healthcare.”
Dr. Foy emphasizes the importance of collaboration in modern medicine.
“Healthcare is a team sport,” he says. “Creating an environment where people learn communication early on is essential for better patient outcomes. When you break down walls and allow people to share ideas, you never know where something inspiring will come from.”
The Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building is a perfect example of how the Championship Health Partnership is fostering collaboration and innovation.
“This is about more than just education,” Dr. Foy says. “It’s about building a healthcare ecosystem that serves our communities and improves lives.”
A Space for Innovation and Collaboration
The Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building is designed to foster collaboration, bringing together students, researchers and healthcare professionals under one roof. With advanced labs, best-in-class technology and spaces for teamwork, the building embodies the spirit of innovation.
“This building facilitates the best foundation for learning and growth,” Mason says. “It’s not just a building. It’s an investment in future physicians like me and the communities we’ll serve.”
Dr. Squires agrees, noting how the building will prepare students for the realities of healthcare.
“This is the future of healthcare,” she says. “It’s a place where students can learn together, connect with mentors and gain the skills they need to succeed.”
Investing in Louisiana’s Future
For Mason, Dr. Squires and Dr. Foy, the building is more than a physical space. It’s a symbol of progress and a commitment to the future of healthcare and science.
It’s a place where students like Mason can prepare for medical school, where residents like Dr. Squires can reflect on the importance of mentorship and where seasoned professionals like Dr. Foy can help shape the next generation of healthcare leaders.
As LSU and FMOL Health continue to collaborate through the Championship Health Partnership, the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building stands as a testament to what’s possible when education and healthcare come together. It’s a place where dreams take shape, where innovation thrives and where the future of medicine begins.
