Construction of News Orleans VA Medical Center wins project of the year award

During the Project Management Institute 2018 awards gala in Los Angeles, VA’s New Orleans facility was crowned “Project of the Year” for activation of the new Veterans hospital.

The Institute recognizes large and complex projects over $100 million that best deliver superior performance of project management practices, excellent organizational results, and positive impacts on society.

“The opening of this medical center is a story of a remarkable effort that started with a flooded 50-year-old medical center and ends with the construction of this magnificent new Veterans medical center,” Fernando O. Rivera, director of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.  “Our legacy is building health care, honoring veterans, keeping the promise and restoring hope for the future.”

With thousands in attendance, the ceremony occurred during the international PMI conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Oct. 6.

“With 700,000 members in over 200 countries, it is an honor to be recognized with the prestigious PMI award amongst others who have given of their time and energy to the fulfillment of projects at this level,” said Stephanie Repasky, associate director, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.  “Seeing this project through fruition will forever be one of the highlights of my career and to be recognized for that work this weekend is indescribable.”

The new medical center serves an estimated 70,000 Veterans throughout the Gulf Coast region and handles about half a million outpatient visits annually.

“This project gave the New Orleans community hope,” said Elizabeth Failla, chief engineer, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.  “It was a culmination of the promise that was made that New Orleans would survive and that the federal government would not let it just go.”