From Hogs to Healing: A New Era of Patient Care in Hammond
Where I-12 meets I-55 in Hammond, La., a former Harley-Davidson dealership is being reimagined as a state-of-the-art outpatient sports performance and rehabilitation facility for North Oaks Health System—a space purpose-built to serve the evolving needs of patients across the region.
This isn’t a quick cosmetic refresh. The existing structure has been stripped back nearly to the red iron, preserving only limited exterior framing. In its place will stand a modern, efficient, and welcoming healthcare environment focused on recovery, access, and long-term impact.
A glimpse of what’s to come—North Oaks’ new Rehabilitation Services facility in Hammond transforms a former Harley-Davidson dealership into a hub for healing, progress, and patient-centered care.
A Facility Built for Recovery
Centrally located and easily accessible, the new facility is set to become a vital part of the community’s healthcare landscape. Once completed, it will feature:
A spacious sports performance and rehabilitation gym, outfitted with treadmills, bikes, and advanced therapy equipment
Dedicated suites for physical therapy and occupational therapy
An expanded pediatric rehabilitation wing on the second floor, including treatment rooms and offices for providers and staff
A system-wide warehouse and storage hub, supporting both the facility and broader North Oaks operational needs
“There’s nothing quite like it in Hammond, especially not at this scale,” said Kamen Carter, Project Manager at Kent Design Build and a Hammond resident himself.
Designed with Purpose
The design, led by the locally based team at Holly & Smith Architects, reflects a thoughtful approach to patient-centered care. Their expertise helped shape the space into one that balances clinical function with comfort and accessibility, ensuring it serves not just medical needs, but human ones.
Together with Kent Design Build, the project team is working to deliver more than just square footage. They’re creating a space where healing happens—where patients of all ages can begin their journey toward recovery in an environment built for progress.
“Being part of something that helps people get better—it’s why we do what we do,” Carter said.
Built on Collaboration
Superintendent Mark Berner has played a key role in the project’s momentum, bringing decades of construction experience to a build that’s equal parts technical and mission-driven. From demolition to framing, the work reflects seamless coordination between the client, architect, builder, and trades on site.
What was once a showroom floor will soon become a hub for health and healing, a space designed to serve the people of Tangipahoa Parish for years to come. It’s more than a renovation. It’s a new era of patient care in Hammond.