LUTCHER — St. James Parish Hospital recently hosted a grand opening to celebrate three new expansion projects including the building of David Reynaud Medical Plaza, a Progressive Care Unit and a Healing Garden.

The grand opening, decorated with bright red poinsettias, carried the theme “We’ve Blossomed” to signify the growth of the hospital. The program began with a welcome by St. James Parish Hospital Board Chairman Whitney Poirrier followed by a blessing by Fr. Vincent Dufresne.

Mary Ellen Pratt, St. James Parish Hospital CEO, then took the podium to introduce parish officials, including Parish Councilman Jason Amato who spoke about the parish’s support for the hospital and the positive changes the hospital has led. The final speaker of the evening was Steve Louque representing Lamar Construction. Louque thanked the hospital for the opportunity to work on such an important addition. He said being a resident of the parish made him even more proud to work on a project that will directly benefit his community. In addition to Lamar Construction, several other companies were instrumental in the hospital’s expansion, including design team Bradley and Blewster Architects; Duplantis Engineering; Assaf, Simoneaux, Tauzin and Associates; and Ragland, Aderman and Associates.

The most important moment of the evening included the dedication of David Reynaud Medical Plaza and the Healing Garden to two very important men whose compassion and vision helped found St. James Parish Hospital. David Reynaud Medical Plaza was named after the late David Reynaud. Reynaud was the first chairman of the Board of Commissioners and credited with having the dream to construct a hospital in St. James Parish. He was well known throughout the parish as the editor of the local newspaper and was described as honest and forthright. He spoke out in favor of developing the Hospital Service District and used his influence to accomplish this task that has forever changed healthcare in St. James Parish.  

The Healing Garden was dedicated to the late Dr. Ward Turner. Turner was the first chief of staff of St. James Parish Hospital. He organized the medical staff to provide for the needs of patients admitted. Since becoming a physician in 1942, Turner devoted his professional capabilities to caring for the sick and injured by recognizing, diagnosing, minimizing and relieving suffering. He was described by staff as being kind, gentle and a great humanitarian. Turner was also concerned with restoring people to health not only physically, but mentally and spiritually.

The night progressed with a ribbon cutting led by the River Region Chamber of Comerce and a tour of the Medical Plaza, Healing Garden and new Progressive Care Unit. David Reynaud Medical Plaza houses the hospital’s growing list of specialty clinics, Lutcher Family Clinic and a state-of-the-art education room. The Healing Garden, accessible 24/7 from the hospital, offers a soothing area for patients, visitors and employees to eat, pray and relax. The Progressive Care Unit, a five-bed expansion, is equipped with advanced technology to monitor more acute patients rather than transferring them out. Attendees ended their tour with an elegant buffet in the Medical Plaza’s Community Room.