University Hospital & Clinics Announces New Chief Operating Officer

University Hospital & Clinics CEO Jared Stark has named Katie Hebert as the hospital’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective March 30. Hebert previously served as CEO at St. Martin Hospital in Breaux Bridge, since 2010, and has worked with Lafayette General Health since 2007, when she was Administrator at Lafayette General Surgical Hospital.

“We are thrilled to have Katie on board here at UHC,” says Stark. “Everyone knows her to be a friendly and compassionate administrator, and her record of success will serve us well at UHC.”

In her capacity as UHC COO, a position that has been vacant since November 2014, Hebert will help organize staff as they undergo administrative restructuring. Hebert will work closely with Lafayette General Health administrators to help make the transition for St. Martin Hospital and UHC as smooth as possible, until her replacement can be named.

Hebert brings an accomplished record to UHC. As CEO, she successfully presided over a $3 million overall expansion and renovation project at the hospital, while posting impressive patient and employee satisfaction scores. In 2014, SMH was named one of the “Best Places to Work” in the country by Modern Healthcare magazine. She has also been instrumental in improving revenue and efficiencies at SMH. The Breaux Bridge Chamber of Commerce named SMH its 2014 “Distinguished Business of the Year.”

Earning her master’s degree from LSU in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Hebert has worked in the healthcare industry in Acadiana since 1989. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. She serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Acadiana as well as the Rural Hospital Coalition of Louisiana, and was appointed to the board of the Louisiana Emergency Response Network in September.

“I am very proud of my tenure at SMH,” says Hebert. “But, I am eager to take new responsibilities and challenges in my position to make UHC as successful as it can be.”