Willis-Knighton Medical Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.
- Income
- $1.7 billion
- Spending
- $1.6 billion
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 15.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
- Employees
- 8,582
- Volunteers
- 130
- Highest pay
- $2.2 million, physician
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).
Independent board
5 of 253 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $1.3 billion spent. WILLIS-KNIGHTON MEDICAL CENTER STRIVES TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE MEDICAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITIES OF NORTHWEST LOUISIANA, NORTHEAST TEXAS, AND SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS. THE MEDICAL CENTER OFFERS SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY AND PROCEDURES THAT MAKE IT A TERTIARY CARE REFERRAL CENTER. GENERAL THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES 24-HOUR EMERGENCY CARE, REGARDLESS OF THE PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY, AT ITS FOUR HOSPITALS. THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT PROGRAM, OBSTETRICS, COMPREHENSIVE HEART AND CANCER PROGRAMS, EXTENSIVE SURGICAL OPTIONS, LEADING-EDGE DIAGNOSTICS AS WELL AS A BROAD NETWORK OF PHYSICIANS ENCOMPASSING MOST SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES. THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES THESE SERVICES REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY OR AGE. THE MEDICAL CENTER HAD 50,755 ADMITTANCES DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 WITH A TOTAL OF 233,204 PATIENT DAYS AND 2,258 BIRTHS. THE MEDICAL CENTER PARTICIPATES IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AND ADMINISTERS A CHARITY CARE POLICY WHEREBY FREE OR DISCOUNTED SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL MEANS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATED $30,200,000 IN UNREIMBURSED COSTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARITY CARE (EXCLUDING PROJECT NEIGHBORHEALTH). THIS ESTIMATE IS BASED ON THE MEDICAL CENTER'S OVERALL COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO. IN ADDITION TO THESE SERVICES, WILLIS-KNIGHTON PROJECT NEIGHBORHEALTH OPERATES TWO CLINICS IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AND/OR DESIGNATED AS MEDICALLY UNDER-SERVED AREAS WITH HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGES. REGIONAL TRANSPLANT CENTER THE MEDICAL CENTER OPERATES THE WILLIS KNIGHTON JOHN C. MCDONALD REGIONAL TRANSPLANT CENTER. ALL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS RECEIVE TRANSPLANTS WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR ECONOMIC STATUS. THE REGIONAL TRANSPLANT CENTER PROVIDES KIDNEY, PANCREAS, AND LIVER TRANSPLANTS. SUBSTANTIALLY ALL THE COSTS OF OPERATING THE REGIONAL TRANSPLANT CENTER ARE BORNE BY WILLIS-KNIGHTON MEDICAL CENTER. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, 105 PATIENTS RECEIVED ORGAN TRANSPLANTS WITH A COMBINED TOTAL OF 117 ORGANS BEING TRANSPLANTED (94 KIDNEYS, 10 PANCREAS AND 13 LIVERS). OF THE 105 PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED ORGAN TRANPLANTATION AT THE MEDICAL CENTER DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, 81 PATIENTS WERE BENEFICIARIES OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. AS SUCH, THESE TRANSPLANTS WERE PERFORMED AT VERY LITTLE, IF ANY, COST TO THE PATIENTS.EMERGENCY CARE THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES EMERGENCY SERVICES AT FOUR LOCATIONS ON A 24-HOUR BASIS STAFFED BY FULL-TIME EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIANS. EMERGENCY PATIENTS ARE TREATED REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, THE MEDICAL CENTER'S EMERGENCY ROOMS WERE VISITED BY 151,125 PATIENTS.WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES A VARIETY OF MEDICAL SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING OBSTETRICS, GYNECOLOGY, NEONATOLOGY, MATERNAL/FETAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HIGH RISK PREGNANCY, PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE AND PEDIATRIC SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY, SURGERY, AND PULMONOLOGY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE BOTH HIGH-RISK AND LOW-RISK OBSTETRICS. MATERNAL TRANSPORTS ARE ACCEPTED. THE LABOR AND DELIVERY (L&D) UNITS ARE DIRECTED BY BOARD CERTIFIED OB-GYN PHYSICIANS AND THE MAJORITY OF THE NURSES ARE CERTIFIED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN'S HEALTH, OBSTETRIC & NEONATAL NURSES (AWHON). WILLIS-KNIGHTON SOUTH CONTRACTED WITH THE OB HOSPITALIST GROUP IN LATE 2023 TO PROVIDE 24/7 OB COVERAGE IN THE LABOR AND DELIVERY DEPARTMENT. THE PROGRAM WAS FULLY STAFFED AND SUPPORTED THE OBSTERICAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (OBED) OPENING IN JANUARY 2025. THE OBED MANAGES PREGNANT PATIENTS >20 WEEKS' GESTATION FOR ALL PREGNANCY-RELATED COMPLICATIONS AND/OR LABOR AND DELIVERY. THERE WERE 2,258 BIRTHS; 2,596 OBSTETRICAL VISITS TO THE L&D UNITS; DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025.FITNESS CENTERS THE MEDICAL CENTER HAS FIVE MEDICALLY-SUPERVISED FITNESS CENTERS DEDICATED TO THE PREVENTION OF HEALTH PROBLEMS, FOUR IN SHREVEPORT AND ONE IN BOSSIER CITY WITH A TOTAL MEMBER ENROLLMENT AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 OF 4,301. THE CENTERS ARE LOCATED ON EACH OF THE FOUR ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL CAMPUSES AS WELL AS ON PIERRE AVENUE IN ALLENDALE, AN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOOD. THE LATTER FEATURES A NOMINAL RATE FOR MEMBERSHIP TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION. THE CENTERS SERVE PULMONARY AND CARDIAC REHABILITATION PATIENTS AND PROVIDE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY ARE LOCATED. NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT WILLIS-KNIGHTON'S CENTER FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH HOUSES A 42-BED LEVEL III REGIONAL OBSTETRICAL AND NEONATAL UNIT. THIS UNIT ACCEPTS REFERRALS FROM THE ARK-LA-TEX AREA AND IS SERVICED BY BOTH AIR AND GROUND EMERGENCY TRANSPORT ON A 24-HOUR BASIS. THIS UNIT IS DIRECTED BY A BOARD CERTIFIED NEONATOLOGIST. THE MAJORITY OF THE NURSING STAFF IS CERTIFIED BY AWHON. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY PER ADMIT IS 23.6 DAYS.HOSPICE HOSPICE OF LOUISIANA IS A DEPARTMENT OF WILLIS-KNIGHTON MEDICAL CENTER THAT PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE END-OF-LIFE CARE INCLUDING SKILLED AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE HOSPICE TEAM, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, FOCUSES ON THE ALLEVIATION OF THE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT CONNECTED WITH LIFE-ENDING ILLNESS. QUALITY OF LIFE, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL BALANCE, SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT, AND PAIN CONTROL ARE THE GOALS THAT TEAM MEMBERS STRIVE FOR AS THEY ASSIST DYING PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT FOR THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND COMPANIONS IS PROVIDED FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR FOLLOWING THE PATIENT'S DEATH. FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, HOSPICE OF LOUISIANA SERVED 190 PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS DIRECT ADMITS, NOT INCLUDING VISITATION AND COUNSELING PROVIDED THROUGH PRE-ADMIT AND/OR BEREAVEMENT SERVICES. THE TEAM INCLUDES: REGISTERED NURSES, CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, CHAPLAINS, VOLUNTEERS, ATTENDING PHYSICIANS, AND
- $9.8 million spent. THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, AND RELATED SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY THROUGH THE OAKS OF LOUISIANA. THE OAKS OF LOUISIANA IS A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR ADULTS AGED 55 AND OVER. THIS RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY PROVIDES SECURE, MAINTENANCE-FREE LIVING AND PROMOTES AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THE CAMPUS OF THE OAKS OF LOUISIANA INCLUDES THE TOWER AT THE OAKS, AN INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY, AND SAVANNAH AT THE OAKS, AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1952.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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