Our Lady of the Lake Health Champions Domestic Violence Awareness with Gabby Bessix Memorial Lecture Series
August 24, 2023
Our Lady of the Lake Health’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Council co-hosted with the Workplace Safety/Violence Prevention Committee the 5th annual Gabby Bessix Memorial Lecture Series for team members on Friday, August 11. The series was facilitated by Asha Johnson, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System’s Director of Talent Strategy and DE&I, and Crystal Hill, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System’s Manager of Employee Relations, focusing on workplace violence.
Each year, the lecture series focuses on distinct themes pertinent to violence prevention, aiming to educate team members effectively. With 70+ team members in attendance, the event explored themes such as microaggressions, ways to identify violence and preventive measures. Through the engaging discussion, each participant acquired essential skills that reinforce Our Lady of the Lake’s commitment of providing safe, intentional, and proactive quality care.
Gabrielle “Gabby” Bessix was a registered nurse at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, who lost her life on August 20, 2018, as a victim of domestic violence. Following her passing, Our Lady of the Lake leaders committed to providing resources for team members, including the annual lecture.
“Our commitment to reflecting a Spirit of Healing is unfulfilled without the additional layer of care for the hands that nurture our patients,” said Coletta Barrett, Vice President of Mission at Our Lady of the Lake Health. “Gabby’s legacy and profound impact holds us accountable in ensuring we maintain an environment where our team members feel secure, valued and empowered.”
The annual Gabby Bessix Memorial Lecture Series is open to all Our Lady of the Lake team members. To learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Health in addition to the ongoing DE&I Council efforts, visit ololrmc.com.
About Our Lady of the Lake Health
Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Children’s Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake 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 ololrmc.com.