Rapides Regional Medical Center is a 346 licensed bed acute care hospital located in downtown Alexandria.
The hospital was founded in 1903 and now offers a variety of specialties from trauma and cardiac care to surgery and pediatric/women's services. Disclaimer
This information and advice published or made available through this website is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
11/20/2025
As we near Thanksgiving week, we’re reminded of just how important it is to pause and truly be thankful. 🧡
This wonderful family, the Campo brothers, has experienced exceptional cardiac care right here at our hospital — and these three brothers, full of humor and gratitude, are a reminder of why we do what we do. Their strength, laughter, and thankfulness, which you will see in this video, mean the world to our team.
We’re honored to care for them and for every family who places their trust in us. Wishing you all a week filled with gratitude, joy, and moments that matter most. 🫶🦃
11/19/2025
Did you know it is U.S. Antibiotics Awareness Week? It is to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate antibiotic and antifungal use and the threat antimicrobial resistance (AR) poses to people, animal, plants, and their shared environment.
In the U.S., more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year. The estimated national cost to treat infections caused by six antimicrobial-resistant germs frequently found in health care can be substantial — more than $4.6 billion annually, according to a collaborative CDC study.
11/17/2025
Rapides Regional Medical Center CEO Vernon Jones explains to KALB News Channel 5 why being named one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care by Healthgrades helps us fulfill our mission.
Rapides Regional Medical Center named one of the best 50 hospitals.
11/14/2025
Surgeon Meyer Kaplan, M.D., is our newest recipient of the Outstanding Physician Award! The Outstanding Physician Award honors members of our Medical Staff who consistently achieve high standards in the practice of medicine, are looked upon as role models by their peers, and have demonstrated outstanding service to the hospital to help it fulfill its mission of providing high quality, efficient and compassionate health care services for our patients and community.
Dr. Kaplan was nominated by a patient's family member who wrote, "Dr. Kaplan stands out as an educator, healer, and leader in the field of medicine. He has practiced for a long time and his wisdom is evident through the way he cares for his patients."
A medical student who has studied under Dr. Kaplan noted, "He treats everyone with kindness and respect. He has outstanding outcomes on all of his procedures. He is willing to teach the next generation of physicians and instill qualities in them that will make then excellent doctors both in and out of the OR. He is incredibly deserving of this award."
Congratulations, Dr. Kaplan, on your outstanding service to Rapides Regional Medical Center and our community!
11/13/2025
🏈 After the regular season, Alexandria Football and Tioga Indians Football are tied for first place in raising the most money for American Cancer Society in Kick Cancer 2025. Both teams are off this week after receiving byes in the first round of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association's Select Division I playoffs. Good luck to Pineville High School and Holy Savior Menard Central High School as they play first-round playoff games.
11/11/2025
Happy Veterans Day! Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication and sacrifice. Your commitment to protecting our freedoms does not go unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful for all you have given.
To all Veterans — thank you for your service. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for your bravery. We appreciate you, today and every day. ❤️🤍💙
11/10/2025
📣 We are proud to announce Healthgrades has named Rapides Regional Medical Center one of America's 50 best hospitals for Surgical Care in its 2026 Specialty Excellence Awards. We are the only hospital in Louisiana to make the list.
Healthgrades’ Surgical Care Excellence Award recognizes hospitals with superior clinical outcomes in overall surgical care across 15 of the most common in-hospital procedures, including cardiac, vascular, joint replacement, prostate, spine and gastrointestinal surgeries.
11/07/2025
Help us congratulate Labor & Delivery's Kayla Granger, BSN, RN, as our newest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Kayla received multiple nominations from our patients for her outstanding care.
"She was so patient with me no matter how many times she had to come back in my room. She made me feel like I was a sister to her ... One day I hope I can be a nurse like her," read one nomination.
Said another, "Kayla was the most amazing and compassionate nurse. Even when she was no longer our nurse, she made sure to come and check on us and made sure we had everything we needed."
Congratulations, Kayla, and thank you for providing Excellence, Every Day, Every Time.
11/06/2025
What a great day at Rapides Regional Medical Center! 🎉 Today, we celebrated the grand opening of our new Surgery Waiting Room — a warm, welcoming space designed with our patients and their families in mind.
Chief of Staff Gary Manuel, M.D., Chief of Surgery Christian Wold, M.D. and CEO Vernon Jones shared a few words before the blessing of the new area. Then, we cut the ribbon to officially open the doors.
We are excited for this improved experience and grateful for everyone who helped make it happen. 💙
11/05/2025
🏈 As difficult as it is to believe, we are entering the final week of the 2025 high school football regular season. Tioga Indians Football and Alexandria Football are not only battling for district titles tonight and tomorrow, they also are battling to capture the 2005 Kick Cancer Golden Boot award for raising the most money for the American Cancer Society. Good luck to the Indians and Trojans, and everyone else in Week 10 as the state playoffs begin next week!
11/04/2025
Leaders at Rapides Regional Medical Center spent time preparing and delivering care bags filled with everyday essentials for our homeless neighbors. 💙
We partnered with the Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition to ensure these items get directly into the hands of those who need them most.
This is just one of our acts of service this year — a reflection of our mission to care for our community both inside and outside the hospital walls. Together, we can make a difference. 🫶
11/03/2025
Only 2 days away! Limited spots available. Sign up today!!!
☀️ Protect your skin — it’s the only one you have!
Join us for a FREE Skin Cancer Screening on Tuesday, November 5, from 2–4 p.m.
Dermatology teams will be on-site to check for any unusual or changing spots and answer your questions about skin health. Early detection saves lives — a few minutes could make all the difference!
✅ Appointment necessary. Register at https://bit.ly/48L5BnY
📍211 Fourth Street, Alexandria, LA - Day Surgery
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rapides Regional Medical Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Founded in 1903 at the corner of Second and Lee streets in Alexandria, Louisiana, Rapides Regional Medical Center represents a proud heritage of compassionate healthcare services coupled with the most advanced technology of the day.
With a continued emphasis on progressive care, Rapides Regional Medical Center has grown to meet the continually changing needs of our patients and the rapidly advancing technology of modern healthcare. Located in downtown Alexandria and easily accessible from Interstate 49, the hospital has 362 beds and is fully accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospital participates in the Medicare, Medicaid and Champus programs as well as a number of commercial insurance and managed care programs.
Rapides Regional Medical Center offers a wide array of services including general medicine, general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, bypass surgery, cardiac rehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery, intensive care and telemetry, oncology services, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedic services, physical therapy, skilled nursing services, respiratory therapy, lithotripsy and various outpatient services. At the beginning of 2012, Rapides Regional Medical Center became the first verified Level II Trauma Center in Louisiana. The medical staff includes physicians in more than 30 medical specialties.
Rapides Regional Medical Center set a shining example by becoming a three-time winner of the Louisiana Quality Award. This award honors businesses and organizations that are leaders in the pursuit of quality and service. Rapides Regional Medical Center was also honored by being named one of the nation's "100 Top Hospitals - Benchmarks for Success." The annual study lists hospitals based on quality, operations and financial management. In addition, we operate the area’s first Certified Stroke Center, offering comprehensive stroke care from the minute a patient walks through our door to the time they go home. Plus we are the only accredited, Cycle III Chest Pain Center in Central Louisiana.
In 1993, the operating assets and name of Rapides Regional Medical Center were sold to Central Louisiana Healthcare Systems Partnership. Then, in 1998, the joint venture restructured to a limited liability corporation - Rapides Healthcare System. Today, HCA continues to own a 74% interest and Rapides Foundation owns a 26% interest in the Rapides Healthcare System. The RHS board is represented by an equal third representation of HCA appointees, physicians and Rapides Foundation appointees.
