Since 1924, Willis-Knighton has served the needs of this community with an eye toward the future. The hospital was founded as Tri-State Sanitarium by Dr. T.E. Williams and Dr. L.H. Pirkle to address needs in the fast-growing neighborhoods of west Shreveport. It was sold four years later to Dr. James C. Willis and Dr. Joseph E. Knighton. In 1950, a year after it transitioned to a not-for-profit healthcare organization, it was named in honor of Doctors Willis and Knighton. The vision of early founders grew as Shreveport grew, helping to establish Willis-Knighton as a leader in the field of healthcare locally, regionally and nationally.

The years have brought changes in technology and treatment along with tremendous growth. From one small hospital, Willis-Knighton has grown to encompass multiple facilities, spanning the entire continuum of care for residents in northwest Louisiana and the Ark-La-Tex. Today the health system includes four hospitals as well as a retirement community and a full range of support services.

Willis-Knighton has offered many firsts in our community, including:

  • Satellite hospital
  • Center for women’s health
  • Eye institute
  • Heart and vascular institute
  • Collaboration as a private hospital with a public, academic medical center, Louisiana Health Shreveport.
  • Innovation center with virtual hospital
  • Talbot Medical Museum
  • Senior residential options at The Oaks of Louisiana to enhance continuum of care
  • Freestanding hospital for physical and behavioral rehabilitation
  • Numerous “firsts” in technology and procedures, including proton therapy and TomoTherapy at the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, state-of-the art imaging and diagnostic services, innovative cardiovascular technology and eye surgery technology.

Willis-Knighton’s past is closely tied to those of its friends and neighbors and so is the health system’s future.

Willis-Knighton is a locally-owned, locally-operated healthcare organization dedicated to caring for the people in our community and investing in their health and wellness. The health system’s growth is a result of consistently responding to community needs, a mission it will continue well into the future.

Simpkins Community Health Clinic

Description

Often people in urban, rural and under-served neighborhoods do not have access to convenient, affordable medical and fitness services. Dr. C.O. Simpkins, a local dentist and community leader, worked with Willis-Knighton President James K. Elrod to bring healthcare services to residents living in the area around Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Dr. and Mrs. Simpkins donated the land next to Southern University and Willis-Knighton agreed to construct and operate the clinic. The facility originally called the WK Community Health & Education Center when it opened in 1995 was later renamed in honor of the Simpkins family. It has served as a model for Project NeighborHealth Clinics, taking healthcare outside the walls of the hospital and making it more convenient and accessible.

Location in Museum

The Talbot Museum Digital Archive

Age

1995 to present

100 Years