St. Francis Health Team Members Plant Pinwheels to Raise Awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 25, 2023
Monroe, LA — Today, St. Francis Health recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month by supporting the nationwide Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. Team members from across the ministry came together to plant pinwheels to support the annual awareness campaign.
"Every child deserves to live in a safe, stable and nurturing environment. As healthcare providers, we play a role in raising awareness about child abuse and neglect. Children are our future and it's important we all work to ensure happy and healthy childhoods for children in our community," said Kayla Johnson, Vice President of Patient Care Services at St. Francis Health.
Pinwheels for Prevention is part of a national movement to change the way people think about child abuse prevention. The campaign emphasizes the importance of learning about healthy child development, reinforcing positive parenting practices, and acting on behalf of the children and families in our communities. Blue is the designated color to bring awareness to child abuse prevention, and the pinwheel is the official symbol of the month-long observance. The blue and silver pinwheels represent the happy, healthy childhoods all children deserve.
Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as an important reminder of the year-round need to protect and support those most vulnerable in our community. As a healthcare organization committed to the health and well-being of our entire community, St. Francis Health encourages everyone to join in supporting and advocating for the health and well-being of all children 365 days a year.
Local Resources to End Child Abuse
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, immediately call the Louisiana Child Abuse Hotline at (1-855-452-5437) or the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child.
About St. Francis Health
St. Francis Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Monroe, Louisiana, with more than 1,800 team members committed to caring for those we serve. With a 321-bed medical center, acute-care hospital, freestanding outpatient center, over 25 outpatient clinics, and nearly 350 physician partners, for more than 110 years, St. Francis has provided comprehensive healthcare services for a variety of medical and surgical specialties. St. Francis offers Northeast Louisiana’s only Level III NICU, Level III OB, OB-ED, and Level II PICU services. St. Francis Medical Center leads the region in heart and vascular services, critical care, and complex and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The hospital offers a designated Level III Trauma Center, a Graduate Medical Education Program, Accredited Chest Pain Center, Accredited Primary Stroke Center and Centers of Excellence in the areas of bariatric surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive gynecology, breast health and specialized anesthesia. St. Francis is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit stfran.com.