‘A new era of health care’
Howell "Howie" Dennis is the news editor for The Crowley Post-Signal. He can be reached at howie.dennis@crowleytoday.com or 337-783-3450.
If the optimism expressed by the speakers as well as those in attendance is any indication, Monday was a big day for the people in Acadia Parish.
A new sign was unveiled at Acadia General Hospital in Crowley on Monday. The new name and new sign coincide with the formal takeover of management from American Legion Corporation to Lafayette General Health (LGH). The new lease agreement was announced in May.
“Today marks a new beginning for this hospital and the people of this entire parish,” said David Callecod, presidet/CEO of Lafayette General Health. “Together we are going to make positive changes that serve the greater good in this community.”
LGH changed the name of the hospital to reflect its intention of growing the Crowley hospital into a regional full-service care facility serving all of Acadia Parish and beyond. The hospital, established by members of American Legion Acadia Post 5 in 1928 as Legion Memorial Hospital, was known as American Legion Hospital since 1950. American Legion Corporation will still own the facility.
Acadia General Hospital will have a new CEO beginning on June 16. Heather Harper, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Southern Tennessee Medical and Emerald Hodgson Hospital in Winchester, Tennessee, was announced as CEO on May 19.
Each of those who spoke during Monday’s ceremony expressed their gratitude to American Legion Post 15 for the decades of effort they have provided the hospital. The new sign shows the year the hospital recognizes the past and present members of Post 15.
“The members of Post 15 saved this hospital back in 1928 and they saved it again in 2014,” said Callecod. “Our goal is to keep our patients close to home with the promise of receiving high-quality services.”
Longtime hospital board member Steve Stefanski, who was instrumental in the hospital’s transition, looked towards the hospital’s future.
“We were looking at bringing in people that will provide the type of care that our people need and deserve,” he said. “We found that Lafayette General Health was on the cutting edge. They came here not in a predatory kind of way but as neighbors.”
Dr. Cason delaHoussaye, the chairman of the board of directors, spoke of the professionalism of the change.
“This transition was smooth,” he said. “It was like changing a tire while the car was still rolling. Our collaboration with Lafayette General Health is perfect for us.”