Interim CEO for Winn Parish Medical Center Ashley spoke to the Kiwanis Club, Tuesday, January 13th. She was accompanied by the CFO Judy LaCroix who had been at the hospital for 2 years. Mrs. Files has been employed by the hospital for 26 years beginning in administration, then in human resources and marketing. In her time at WPMC she has seen a lot of changes and CEOs. She was excited to step into the Interim CEO position although she is still doing human resources and training someone to do payroll.
The big news at the hospital is that they have signed an affiliation with Oschner Health to work on initiatives and to improve healthcare in Winn Parish. It will bring in more services and better access to care in our rural area. It also offers opportunities in recruitment and a system update. The system update offers telehealth visits and telestroke which is beneficial for a person is having a stroke to have access to specialized care.
Winn Wellness will be moving to its new location (the old Fred’s/Walmart building) at the end of this quarter. This will give them more room. They will be able to bring in more specialists. Winn Wellness offers primary care with Dr. Mark Shelton, Dr. Julio Iglesias, and PA Tony Acosta. Winn Rural Health is Dr. Bethany Citerella and NP Jamie Goleman. Pediatrics is PNP Ginger Roberts. At this time the specialists are Dr. James Lee, surgery; Dr. Kerry Byrnes, surgery; NP Kay Shepherd, wound care; NP Railey Garrett, orthopedics; Dr. Padam Hirachan, nephrology; and Dr. Joseph Landreneau, cardiology.
The hospital also offers lab, radiology and MRI services. Any out of town provider can send orders and you can have your tests done locally. The Specialty Clinic is available for physical therapy and offers dry needling with a doctor’s order.
The Circle is a senior’s group for persons 50+. They meet the last Tuesday of the month at 2 PM in the cafe. They have speakers and refreshments. There is also a pastor’s group that meets once a quarter.
The hospital was established in 1948 and has been in continual existence since then. At this time they are under Allegiance Healthcare which is a management company. In 2024 including payroll, taxes, utilities and civic donations they spent $12,842,000 in our community. We are very fortunate to have the hospital here and good things are coming in the future.