Southern, CareSouth partner to provide COVID-19 testing to employees

Southern University, CareSouth partner to provide COVID-19 testing to University’s employees

BATON ROUGE, La. — Southern University today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with CareSouth Medical and Dental Health Center to provide COVID-19 testing and flu vaccinations to its Baton Rouge employees at no out-of-pocket expense. The action was approved by the Southern University System Board of Supervisors at its monthly meeting.  

“Southern University continues a mission of access through CareSouth in this extremely important endeavor,” said Ray L. Belton, president of the Southern University System and chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus. “As we continue to plan for the safe return to campus this fall for not only our students, but for all of our valued employees, it is imperative that we provide onsite testing and other services. CareSouth has a proven track record of servicing our community with optimum health care.”

Student health services will continue at Southern through its University Health Center.

The CareSouth testing and vaccination services will be made available beginning in August to all employees of Southern University and A&M College, Southern University Law Center, and Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. While CareSouth will provide medical personnel to conduct testing and to deliver vaccines, facilities at Southern’s  College of Nursing and Allied Health as well as a mobile unit from the Ag Center will be utilized.

“CareSouth is very proud to partner with Southern University to continue to do our part to help slow the spread of this virus,” said Matthew Valliere, chief executive officer for CareSouth.  “Our mission is to make healthcare accessible to everyone and we’re excited to assist this premier institution in making our community better and safer for everyone. This partnership is another way we can support the great work that Southern does.”

Employees can use their respective insurance plans to receive services. For those without insurance, CareSouth will work with those individuals on a sliding scale. For the full MOU, click here. 

About CareSouth

CareSouth Medical and Dental is a private, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides a comprehensive range of community-based medical, dental and behavioral health services including primary care, pediatrics, HIV health testing and care, OB/GYN, immunizations, podiatry, chronic disease management and individual, group, and family therapy. CareSouth also provides WIC services. Services are provided for the insured and the uninsured. Clinics are located in Baton Rouge, Plaquemine, Zachary and Donaldsonville. Medical and dental services are also offered at Iberville Charter Academy and South Baton Rouge Charter Academy. For more information, go to www.caresouth.org.