Known as the "Friendliest City in the South," Minden, Louisiana combines all the advantages of a small community - friendly people, good schools, and low crime - with the many benefits of being just a short drive from the major metropolitan area of Shreveport and Bossier.

The Hospital
In 2004, Minden Medical Center was awarded 100 Top Hospitals in the Nation by Solucient. A 161-bed acute care hospital serving a population of more than 50,000, Minden Medical Center is the only hospital in southern Webster Parish. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and Medicare and Medicaid approved.

Many consider Minden Medical Center the crown jewel in the LifePoint Hospitals family of hospitals. The hospital has consistently achieved the highest score in Physician and Employee Satisfaction among LifePoint hospitals.

Our medical staff consists of cardiologists, general surgeons, OB-GYN's, oncologists, urologists, ENT, pediatrician / neonatologist, family / general practitioners and orthopedics. Ophthalmology, plastic surgery and neurology augment our traditional offerings. We also have consulting radiologists, consulting pathologists and an anesthesiologist.

The Community
Founded in 1835, Minden, LA is located among the gentle rolling hills and lakes of northwestern Louisiana. The Main Street of this historic town is paved with the original bricks brought in at the turn of the century, and the beautiful boulevard that runs through the heart of its Historical Retail and Residential area is home to many plantation-type houses (below left). Every year, the city hosts a family-friendly Mardi Gras Parade and an Arts Festival in the spring (above right). Minden is especially proud of its record in education. In fact, Webster Parish is the #1 parish in the state in percentage (76.28%) of budget dollars spent in the classroom, preparing today's students for tomorrow's technology-driven economy by emphasizing computer training today.

The city of Shreveport, just 28 miles west on I-20, offers numerous cultural and sporting events, including a semi-pro baseball team, semi-pro basketball and ice hockey, as well as a vibrant nightlife and fine dining. The city is also home to the Louisiana State University Medical School. Grambling State University, Northwestern, Centenary and the Southern University-Division of Nursing are all within an hour's drive of Minden.

Recreation
Louisiana is known as the "Sportsman's Paradise." With 390,835 acres of red clay hills and pine forests, Minden and Webster Parish are no exception, Hunting for deer, duck, quail and squirrel are abundant. Our five area lakes include two of the Top 10 lakes for fishing in the U.S. Caney Lake has water skiing, fishing, camping and boating. The community of Minden has two golf courses, and the Recreation Center, open free to the public, offers access to 15 ball fields, tennis courts, racquetball courts, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, a weight room and more.