St. Charles Parish Hospital District Board Meeting - December 4, 2025

Note: The meeting date per instructions is December 4, 2025, while the transcript states December 3, 2025. This summary reflects the transcript content.

The St. Charles Parish Hospital District Board met in regular session on December 4, 2025. The meeting began with a public hearing, employee recognition, an executive session, followed by approval of numerous routine items, reports on quality and finance, project updates, and an announcement of a future public meeting regarding a proposed tax election.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The public hearing was called three times; no members of the public came forward, and the hearing was closed.

Employee Recognition

• Melissa Landry was recognized as Employee of the Month for October 2025. Speakers praised her dedication to patients, including going out to the parking lot to assist them, and her consistent smile. Tachelle Bailey commended her teamwork and noted that patients often ask to "clone Melissa." Melissa expressed gratitude to the board and staff.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the designation of the St. Charles Parish Herald Guide as the Official Journal of the Hospital District. (Motion by Vial, second by Raymond; all aye)
• Approved the board meeting dates for calendar year 2026. (Motion by Vial, second by Sermon; all aye)
• Approved the purchase services contract with Ochsner Health for $1,736,775.12. (Motion by Smith, second by Sermon; all aye)
• Approved the establishment of a backup disbursement bank account for the hospital district board. (Motion by Vial, second by Sermon; all aye)
• Approved the low bid for the borrower and water upgrades at the hospital. (Motion by Smith, second by Raymond; all aye)
• Approved the minutes from the October 29, 2025 Hospital District Board meeting. (Motion by Vial, second by Sermon; all aye)
• Approved the November 4, 2025 Medical Staff Executive Committee (MEC) meeting minutes, which included appointments of Dr. Eric West as BHU medical director and Dr. John Seymour as interim vice chief of staff, approval of medical records policies, and standing orders. (Motion by Raymond, second by Smith; all aye)
• Approved the credentials report: nine physicians, four advanced practice providers (APPs), five resignations, four provisional reviews, one change of category, one additional provision, and 27 reappointments. (Motion by Vial, second by Smith; all aye)
• Approved the board meeting dates for 2026. (This appears duplicated; motion by Vial, second by Sermon; all aye) — noted as a possible duplicate from earlier.

Discussion Items & Reports

• Quality Inpatient Experience Report (Mr. Rhodes): The hospital has had only one "fallout" incident for the year but has since gone several months without incident, with new measures in place. All patient experience metrics are green. HCAHPS score is 67%, medical practice 89%, telemedicine 84%, med practice 72%, outpatient 94%, ED 74%, outpatient at 92%. The hospital is meeting all metrics. (Speaker expressed pride in progress.)
• Patient Experience Update: Seven departments at St. Charles Parish are in the top 10 across the Ochsner health system for top marks and net promoter scores: outpatient lab, infusion center, primary care, OB/GYN, ED, and periop services.
• Outpatient Quality Metrics: Both Luling and Destrehan clinics are hitting goals on all eight tracked measures. A new primary care physician, Dr. Bartholomew Mule, will start in early 2026. Unique patients treated increased 17.5% year-over-year to just under 22,000.
• Financial Report (Miss Sparnack): October 2025 financial highlights: 814 infusion treatments (23% above budget), 299 surgical cases (21% above budget, driven by GI, orthopedics, and urology). Total operating revenues exceeded budget by 13% and are up 10% year-to-date. Income from operations exceeded budget by $1.1 million for October.
• Moments of Quality: Mr. Rhodes shared a story about Gordon, a staff member who spent two hours resolving a pharmacy issue for a recently discharged patient to ensure timely medication. A board member shared two personal experiences: Dr. Seymour and the ED team provided excellent care for her grandson with a broken arm, and later for her granddaughter who was diagnosed with a rare condition (4 in 1 million cases) and transferred to Ochsner's ICU. (Board expressed gratitude.)
• Hospital Updates: Progress on the intensive outpatient program for behavioral health (building on north side, projected opening mid-April 2026). Surgery redesign plans are being developed; going out for bid in early 2026. Outpatient registration/entrance project will be part of the surgery project. Two new ambulances are being outfitted and will be on the road shortly. New providers: Dr. Bartholomew Mule (primary care), Dr. Jennifer McGee (general surgery), Dr. Emma Sisk (OB/GYN). Ophthalmology practice in Destrehan will expand to five days a week.
• Community Outreach: Thank-you to staff who participated in Thanksgiving food drives with Cocktails and King Cakes (turkey giveaway), Ed Reed Foundation (food delivery), and Matthew 25:35 food pantry (supplied vegetables).

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items and reports were approved unanimously.
• The board announced a public meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse Parish Council Chambers to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election for the levy of an ad valorem tax in Hospital Service District No. 1.
• The next regular board meeting was set for January 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
• The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote (motion by Vial, second by Smith; all aye).