Our pathway of transformation

As we embark on a new and exciting project, it’s important to take a look back through the milestones our hospital has had throughout the years. With so many hospitals throughout the country having to close their doors failing to survive during the rapid re-alignments in the healthcare industry. St. Martin Hospital was lucky to have found a partner in Lafayette General Health to avoid any potential closure. Our partnership began in 2008 with commitment to deliver healthcare services to our community, making services available close to home.

From 2008 to 2017 we were able to expand our facility to accommodate more services and specialties. Today, we have transformed our services from 10,000 to 22,000 visits annually thanks to these updates. We have reduced cardiac transfers from our emergency room to 23%.

Those updates include a new imaging department with an x-ray machine, ultra sound, CT scanner, a mobile MRI unit, bone density testing and mammogram machine. A full service lab—where we’ve partnered with our local nursing homes as part of community outreach. We’ve created lab space for stress testing and nuclear medicine. We now have a pharmacy on campus with a pharmacist and pharmacy technician available for our patients. A Cardiac rehab, the first in St. Martin Parish, is now available and active.

Specialty services such as wound care, diabetes teaching, cardiac telemedicine, pulmonary, orthopedics, dermatology, gastroenterology and podiatry are now every day services, making the promise of healthcare more accessible a reality.

On March 24, 2018, the parish voted “yes” allowing for a phase two project dream to become a reality-- a newly designed 25-bed inpatient unit, an in-house MRI, a surgical platform for minor surgeries, colonoscopies and other gastro procedures. It also includes a catherization lab for cardiac procedures. In addition, the pulmonologist will be able to perform more extensive pulmonary procedures.

The Hospital Service District #2 was able to fund the purchase of 44.5 acres next to the hospital so long-term strategic planning could occur for future healthcare needs. As we continue to live up to our commitment of delivering more services to our community, we are striving to remove barriers and allow more access to healthcare, outside the walls of the hospital.

The transformation of St. Martin Hospital is an example of local government, state government and healthcare systems listen to community needs. The highest levels of healthcare can be achieved when this takes place.

Mr. Burdon Dupuis, President of the Hospital Service District #2 Board, and I will be presenting the expansion design over the next couple of months. It is truly an honor to serve at St. Martin Hospital.