St. Charles Parish Hospital District Board Meeting — May 28, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Hospital District Board met on May 28, 2026, to present annual employee awards, introduce a new director of nursing, handle routine approvals, and receive quality, finance, and hospital reports. Note: the meeting metadata gives the date as May 28, 2026, while the transcript's spoken introduction references May 27, 2026. No public comments were offered during the public hearing portion.

Special Recognitions

• 2025 Betty Protera Support/Clerical Employee of the Year: Carson Berg. Her nominating leader said Berg consistently goes above and beyond for inpatients and outpatients and brings positive energy to the clinic.
• 2025 Betty Protera Professional/Technical Employee of the Year: Melissa Landry. A colleague said they did not nominate Landry but would have, calling her fully deserving of the award.
• 2025 Nurse of the Year: Catherine, a house supervisor who started in EMS in 1996 and reaches 30 years at the hospital this year; the board praised her support for staff and patients.
• 2025 Supervisor of the Year: Josh Nickens, an EMS leader who stepped in as interim EMS leader and served beyond the expected short term.
• A second supervisor recognition was announced for 2025; the transcript is garbled, referencing both Jen Neal and Danielle Shaysan, with remarks praising Danielle's flexibility, reliability, and willingness to help throughout the hospital as a house supervisor, infusion support, CAP lab helper, and interim med-surge manager.
• Q1 2026 Provider of the Quarter: Dr. McGee, general surgeon, recognized in absentia; nominations came from co-workers, other physicians, clinic staff, and surgery department employees.
• Jessica Dufren was introduced as the hospital's new Director of Nursing, a nurse for 19 years and a longtime parish resident, responsible for all clinical areas.
• Chairman Mr. Lennon was recognized for nearly 10 years of board service and five years as chairman, with a happy birthday.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The chair opened the public hearing three times, but no members of the public came forward to address the board.

Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals

All routine motions passed unanimously by voice vote.

• The prior-year audit approval was tabled until the next board meeting (motion by Mr. Biel, second by Ms. Raymond).
• The board moved into executive session and later returned to regular session (motions by Ms. Smith, second by Ms. Raymond).
• Approved a resolution canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election of May 16, 2026 (motion by Ms. Smith, second by Ms. Raymond).
• Approved the Board of Commissioners meeting minutes of April 29, 2026 (motion by Mr. Biel, second by Ms. Raymond).
• Approved the medical staff executive committee reports from May 21, 2026 (motion by Mr. Biel, second by Ms. Raymond); the report noted the appointment of Dr. Paul Delahousie as future medical director and approval of prep written order guidelines, standing orders, and the 2026 emergency preparedness plan schedule.
• Approved the credentialing report: 11 provisional reviews, one change of category, and 42 reappointments, with files reviewed under the medical staff bylaws.

Discussion Items & Reports

• Quality and patient experience: The CEO reported that the last inpatient quality event was February 12, 2025 — 469 days prior. Patient-experience scores are in the top quartile for inpatient and medical practice and in the top decile for outpatient, emergency department, and ambulatory surgery; the two areas not yet green have plans to reach green by the end of the year.
• Clinic quality (Dr. West): Clinic quality metrics improved, with no red scores; most yellow metrics are within 1% of target. New or upcoming providers include Drs. Rayburn and Sisk (OB/GYN), Dr. Bartholomew (primary care), an LCSW social worker in behavioral health, Dr. Natalia Atala (rheumatology, starting in July), and a malignant hematologist expected in July or August.
• Finance: Monthly financial statistics were not available because the hospital is converting to a new financial software system; full financials will be reported in June. Epic surgery dashboard data shows surgeries 2% ahead of budget year to date, including general surgery 33% ahead, urology 19% ahead, and podiatry and GYN also ahead.
• Hospital report: The CEO expressed sincere thanks to the parish for passing the hospital millage, calling it critically important to continuing operations, expansion, and quality care. The hospital again received the Leapfrog Grade A patient safety award, with the highest score across all Ochsner facilities, and earned a five-star rating on CMS inpatient HCAHPS patient-experience measures. Planned construction includes a flooring project on the hallway to the cafeteria and preparation of the north entrance, new registration, and surgery department. The behavioral health intensive outpatient program recently opened. Six hospital auxiliary scholarships were awarded — three to Hahnville students and three to Destrehan students. Hospital Week celebrations were noted, with thanks to Dr. West.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous; the audit approval was deferred to the next meeting.
• The next hospital district board meeting is Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.; the board adjourned until then.