Hurricane Katrina forced New Orleans’ Charity Hospital to close in 2005; now it is being transformed into a $500 million medical research hub

In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, doctors at the Charity Hospital scrambled to keep patients alive without power or functioning medical equipment as floodwaters trapped them inside its darkened halls for days on end. The massive hospital that had cared for the city's residents for years was shuttered after the last patients and staff were rescued that year. Now, as Louisiana marks the storm's 21st anniversary, the long-vacant storm-damaged building is about to renew life, according to AP.A medical research hubIn summer 2026, Tulane University announced that it is spearheading a $500 million effort to convert Charity Hospital into a pioneering medical research facility, transforming the 1930s-era art deco building into a downtown hub of biomedical innovation. Construction is expected to start this fall.Tulane leaders say reviving the iconic landmark marks a major stride in putting behind the hurricane’s dark days. Charity Hospital “reflected the sort of commitment of New Orleans to the healthcare of the community,” Tulane President Michael Fitts said. “Now it’s being brought back in a way that makes the same commitment to the community.”Local leaders have embraced the...