OGH Marking Progress

OGH Marking Progress

BOBBY ARDOIN

St. Landry Now.com Editor

While some rural hospitals continue to struggle financially, Opelousas General is showing the facility might be the exception to that trend, according to hospital officials.

St. Landry Parish council members were told recently by OGH Chief Executive Officer Lance Armentor that the hospital is improving its financial status and the overall community perception.

Employees are also beginning to express more satisfaction while working at OGH, Armentor said.

Grant funding obtained with the help of District 40 state representative Dustin Miller, said Armentor, has also provided revenues that have enabled OGH Systems Foundation to assist athletic needs for parish schools. The six board members are appointed by the parish.

Financial Status

When he arrived as the chief administrator for OGH three years ago, said Armentor, the hospital was in an untenable financial position.

“We were definitely struggling (financially). I am sure everybody knows and it is public record of what the finances are. For the first time in many years, we are putting money back into our savings account and we are buying new equipment and spending money on capital projects around our hospital,” said Armentor.

Employees’ Perceptions

Armentor said the hospital has apparently created a more favorable working environment.

“When I first came in, the hospital was running at 34 percent employee engagement. What that means is that of every 10 people working in that hospital, seven out of 10 of them did not enjoy their job and did not want to be there. That’s the first thing that I tackled,” Armentor pointed out.

Armentor told the Council that OGH is now is quite different.

“Three weeks ago we finished our employee engagement survey and we are at 74 percent. So that means seven out of 10 people want to be at our hospital.

“That definitely has a huge impact on our community and everyone that we serve,” said Armentor.

 Athletics Donations

Armentor said every parish high school received $20,000 to help support the athletic programs.

“Some of the schools such as Beau Chene bought wrestling mats and upgraded the facilities. Other schools bought basic uniforms and things that were needed for the student athletes,” Armentor added.  .