Our Lady of Lourdes Health Celebrates 75 Years of Excellence in Acadiana
August 16, 2024
Lafayette, LA – On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Our Lady of Lourdes Health celebrated its 75th anniversary, reflecting on a rich history of excellence in care and innovation across Acadiana.
The celebration began with a special Mass at St. Agnes Chapel, led by the Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel, Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, followed by a reception. A video news release is available to download for media coverage of the 75th anniversary celebration.
“Our 75-year journey is a testament to the dedication of our team members and the trust of our community,” said Stephanie Manson, president of Our Lady of Lourdes Health. “This milestone not only reflects our long-standing commitment to excellence but also highlights our ongoing efforts to meet the evolving needs of Acadiana. We are proud to continue serving our community with compassion and advanced care.”
Our Lady of Lourdes Health continues its longstanding tradition of providing high-quality, compassionate care to the nine-parish region. This milestone reflects decades of growth, innovation and dedication to patient well-being. Our Lady of Lourdes Health continues its longstanding tradition of providing high-quality, compassionate care to the nine-parish region, reflecting decades of growth, innovation, and dedication to patient well-being.
Notable achievements include being the first oncology program in the region, Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification for excellence in oncology care, consecutive “A” grades from the Leapfrog Group for patient safety, nationally recognized advanced cardiac care with procedures like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) , comprehensive maternity services recognized by Newsweek, Acadiana’s only Level III Surgical NICU , and the impactful work of the St. Bernadette Clinic.
History of Our Lady of Lourdes Health:
Our Lady of Lourdes began in 1945 when Monsignor A.F. Isenberg, inspired by the care he received at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, convinced the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady (FMOL) to expand their ministry to Lafayette. On August 1, 1949, under Sister Marie Brendan Donegan, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital opened as a subsidiary of St. Francis Hospital in Monroe. In 1957, it became independent, and over the past 75 years, numerous FMOL Sisters have helped it grow into a leading healthcare provider in Acadiana, known for comprehensive care and medical excellence. In 2011, Lourdes moved to its current location on Ambassador Caffery Parkway and continued to expand, acquiring Women’s & Children’s Hospital in 2019 and aligning with the Heart Hospital of Lafayette.
Today, Our Lady of Lourdes Health includes three hospital campuses, a free-standing Emergency Room in Scott, over 70 physician clinics and outpatient centers, and joint ventures in various healthcare facilities. As a major regional employer with over 2,800 team members, Lourdes remains dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate care to Acadiana.
To learn more about Our Lady of Lourdes’s 75th Anniversary, visit LourdesRMC.com/75.
About Our Lady of Lourdes Health
Founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in 1949, Our Lady of Lourdes Health is a not–for–profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Lafayette, Louisiana. With a regional acute care medical center that employs more than 2,800 people, Our Lady of Lourdes Health offers a physician staff of over 850 doctors in a variety of medical and surgical specialties. Lourdes’ services include Centers of Excellence in the areas of Orthopedics, Stroke and a Robotic Surgery Program. Lourdes is home to the only burn unit in Southwest Louisiana and a Commission on Cancer-accredited oncology program. Our Lady of Lourdes operates Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital, a premier 32-bed cardiac facility, and Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, offering the area’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Level III Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With additional services including multiple clinics, four imaging locations and a primary care physician network, Lourdes provides easy access to comprehensive care throughout the community. Our Lady of Lourdes 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. Discover more at LourdesRMC.com.