Hospital quietly marks one year since transition
Published 8:32 am Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Bogalusa’s Our Lady of the Angels Hospital celebrated its one-year anniversary as an affiliate of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System on Tuesday.
Our Lady of the Angels was previously known as Bogalusa LSU Medical Center, a division of LSU Health Care Services.
Provincial for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady North American Province, Sis. Barbara Arceneaux, attended the anniversary, along with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Sis. Helen Cahill and Sis. Rita Lanie. Also attending were Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System Missions Vice President Pete Guarisco, State Sen. Ben Nevers, board members, foundation members and employees and guests.
The short program took place in the hospital’s board room. Our Lady of the Angels CEO/President Rene Regas welcomed all in attendance.
“This is a great day for us,” said Ragas, who joined the hospital as chief executive officer on May 29, 2014. He added the title of president on Dec. 22, 2014. “I have to thank a lot of groups for being here today. There are the foundation members, board members, team members and guests. The Sisters are here. You know how much we appreciate each and every one of you.”
Ragas welcomed those in attendance and touched on the changeover to Our Lady of the Angels.
“A year ago today we were here on a cold, windy day during the transition,” Ragas said. “Since then, we’ve had 2,000 patients, delivered over 200 babies, have had over 20,000 visits to the Emergency Room and have performed 2,300 surgery cases. This prayer and praise service is to thank God for watching over us a team.”
The Rev. Bob Adams, who retired from First Baptist Church in Bogalusa, read from scripture and offered reflection. Songs of praise followed. Vickie Hickman Spears led the singing, and Randall Garcia accompanied on the guitar. Near the end of the program, those in attendance sang Happy Birthday.
In her closing prayer, Sis. Cahill offered an Irish blessing — fitting for St. Patrick’s Day — upon the congregation in her closing prayer. She is originally from County Cork, Ireland.