Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System Welcomes Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in Bogalusa

BATON ROUGE, La., March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System welcomed Our Lady of the Angels Hospital located in Bogalusa as a new organization of the health system.  The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System assumed the management and operations of the 98-bed hospital, formerly known as LSU Bogalusa Medical Center, to continue healthcare services and graduate medical education.

More than 500 team members, 125 physicians and two graduate medical education training programs have transitioned under the leadership of the health system.  

"This is an exciting day for our health system to announce Our Lady of the Angels Hospital and welcome these new team members and professionals into our healthcare ministry," said John J. Finan, Jr., president and CEO of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. "The medical center has served as an invaluable resource providing critical care access to Bogalusa, and continues important services to preserve care and medical education in the community."

All current patients in the medical center have been discharged from the LSU system and admitted to Our Lady of the Angels Hospital with no disruption to care. Teams supported a smooth transition for physicians, medical residents and team members now working under the new system. The year-long planning for the move of hospital operations has contributed to a seamless and timely changeover for patient appointments and procedures, which will continue as scheduled. The LSU Family Medicine rural track residency program will maintain education and teaching experiences at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital for future physicians.

"Continuing access to quality healthcare is essential for our community and we are grateful for a bright future with our transition," said Kurt Scott, president and CEO of Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. "We are thrilled to be joining the Catholic mission of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and expand our network of resources and improve processes across our operations. This is a tremendous benefit for our physicians, staff and the entire community."

Our Lady of the Angels joins four other hospitals as part of the health system that has established a strong presence in Louisiana for more than 100 years. These hospitals include St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Our Lady of Lourdes in Lafayette and St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe. 

Sr. Kathleen Cain, Provincial of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, said, "The past 12 months have seen our organization achieve many milestones in which we have strengthened our mission of providing care for those most in need. Today, with this announcement in Bogalusa, we are privileged to offer our healthcare ministry to another community in Louisiana."

Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Kathy Kliebert said, "In the last year we have witnessed the tremendous benefits of public-private partnerships at LSU's health centers across the state. I am proud to join community members and leaders in Bogalusa to honor the incredible work that has been done by the medical team, staff and graduate medical students to benefit the health and well being of this community. In partnering with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, the medical center will be able to sustain and improve the essential services provided by hundreds of dedicated personnel."

Robert Burgess, president and chief executive officer of St. Elizabeth Hospital, is the executive responsible for the transition for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and shared, "This collaboration extends the healing ministry of the health system to the citizens of Bogalusa and Washington Parish. We are pleased to offer our support and resources with the physicians and team and welcome them to our ministry."

About the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System is the largest healthcare system in Louisiana and is the leading healthcare providing care for more than half the population. The health system is a Catholic organization sponsored by the Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady with corporate offices in Baton Rouge. For more information visit www.fmolhs.org.

SOURCE Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System