OGH Honors Legends
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Five former Opelousas General Hospital staff members who were remembered for their compassionate and dedicated healthcare service for over three decades, were honored Thursday night during an annual gala event held at Evangeline Downs.
Three legendary physicians – Dr. White Owen III, Dr. Creighton Shute and Dr. Richard Tate – were recognized along with longtime lab technician Debbie Clary Deshotel and nurse Liler Florence, who was described by her co-workers as an angel in disguise.
Gina Tuttle, OGH board chairperson and chairperson for the OGH Foundation Board of Directors, said the five honorees were reminders that OGH has served patients since the 1950’s.
“Those that we honor tonight are five incredible individuals who became an integral part of our history and part of our mission to provide excellent health care,” Tuttle told the crowd estimated at 300.
Hospital CEO Lance Armentor reminded those attending that, “Opelousas General is a community anchor and not just a hospital. Those whose stories you will hear show how they gave themselves to (the hospital) in more ways than just health care,” Armentor said.
Debbie Clary Deshotel
Her 30-year identification with OGH came early in life, as she learned about the hospital and lab work from her father, John Clary, a longtime lab technician at the facility.
Deshotel also pioneered ancillary OGH health care by helping create the Posner Center For Women’s Health and the imaging center for the hospital.
Former co-workers remembered in testimonials that Deshotel provided the lab with examples of strong work ethics and displayed an ability to “dig in” when stressful situations occurred.
There were times, said one former associate, that Deshotel could be “hell on wheels,” and who demanded excellence when it was time to get things done.
“Debbie really didn’t play,” said Jared Lormand.
Liler Florence
Florence started at OGH in 1970 and worked at the hospital for over 40 years.
Her career at the hospital began as a certified nursing assistant, but that soon expanded as Florence mentored younger nurses and provided confidence for her patients.
“She also placed the needs of others above herself,” said nurse practitioner Leon Gallow. “You could call her a faith-filled servant,” he added.
When she was not at the hospital, Florence could be found dropping off food to the community elderly as well as performing duties for Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas.
Her selfless mission in life included taking in five children and along with her husband, creating that union into a family of their own.
“Liler Florence is a genuine person. She is the real deal,” Gallow said.
Dr. Whyte Owen III
His career began in the early days of OGH and by 1957, as part of the original hospital staff.
Owen, who was honored posthumously later served two terms as OGH Chief of Staff (1959 and 1968) as part of his 40-year career in medicine.
Those who worked with Owen during his career described him as quiet and inquisitive, who also had a private practice that was located in the historic Shute’s Building located on the corner of Court and Landry streets.
Betty Wolfe recalled the care that Owen provided for her decades ago when she experienced burns that spread to nearly 45 percent of her body, following an accident.
“Dr. Owen was there every day for me. He was so caring,” Wolfe said.
Stanford Owen, who became a physician like his father, said that his father never hesitated to make house calls.
There were times, Stanford Owen said, when his father assisted the surgeons.
“He loved taking care of his patients and he was known for his calm, reassuring and caring manner,” Stanford Owen said.
Dr. Creighton Shute
Shute was a thoracic surgeon who was OGH Chief of Staff in 1957.
Also inducted posthumously, Shute was a third generation physician who graduated from Tulane medical school in 1929 and worked at Charity Hospital in New Orleans from 1932-45.
After serving in the armed services as a lieutenant colonel, Shute and his family settled in Opelousas.
Attorney Leslie Schiff remembered Shute as a surgeon who was serious about his profession.
“There were times when we would be playing golf and (Shute) would take a call, put his clubs away and then go see his patient,” Schiff remembered.
Former co-worker Jeanette Bergeron described Shute as “the gold standard in the surgical field.”
Schiff said that Shute, whose practice was also located in the Shute’s building, had a reputation that existed beyond Opelousas.
“He was highly regarded as a surgeon statewide,” said Schiff
Dr. Richard Tate
Tate, who served as a doctor of internal medicine, was remembered as a physician who always provided a gentle, calm and reassuring presence during his 40-year career.
During his OGH career, Tate became a member of the hospital Board of Trustees and influenced his four daughters to become health care professionals.
Tate also became known for his love of racing and caring for animals.
“Medicine was his life,” said one of his daughters. “His patients were more than his patients. They were his friends,” she added.
Glynn Granger, who worked as an OGH surgeon, said that Tate exhibited a calming manner, as Tate normally sat at the foot of a patient’s bed.
“It was there that (Tate) would talk to them. He also would take the nurses around with him when he visited his patients. He would open the door and the nurse would enter the room first,” Granger said.
