In a time of remarkable population growth and increased demand for local medical care, Our Lady of the Lake Health took significant steps to broaden its services across Ascension Parish, as per this article from The Advocate. These changes came as officials also considered a potential agreement involving a new facility in Donaldsonville between the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and Prevost Memorial Hospital. Yet, even while negotiations continued, the health system moved forward with visible and impactful upgrades to the region’s healthcare landscape.
The most symbolic change came in the form of a name—one that returned to its roots. The hospital in Gonzales, formerly known as Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, officially reclaimed the title Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth.Though it had been renamed in 2018 during a regional integration effort, locals continued to call it by its original name. The new designation not only reflected the hospital’s deep historical and spiritual ties to the area but also honored St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a woman revered for her life of humility and care for the poor.
The story of the Ascension Parish St. Elizabeth’s served as a cornerstone of the hospital’s identity. Born into royalty in 13th-century Hungary, she chose a life of self-denial and service. Widowed young, she used her status and resources to help the poor, eventually building a hospital where she personally tended to the ill. Her compassion made her a symbol of Catholic charity and the namesake of the St. Elizabeth Hospital when the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady acquired Riverview Medical Center in 2000. This acquisition marked a turning point for healthcare in Ascension Parish.
In addition to re-establishing its historic name, the hospital significantly expanded its services in response to the area’s steady population boom. Recent census data indicated a 1.2% increase in residents between 2023 and July 2024, with more than 132,000 people now living in the parish. This rapid growth, explained Dr. Christopher Trevino, physician executive and parish coroner, created an urgent need for enhanced local care. He emphasized the importance of growing healthcare infrastructure in tandem with the parish, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to ensuring that residents could access quality services without needing to travel far.
A major milestone was the opening of a new infusion center on February 27. Prior to this addition, patients in need of chemotherapy and similar treatments had to travel to Baton Rouge. The new center, occupying over 4,100 square feet and featuring 15 infusion chairs, marked a significant improvement in accessibility and comfort for patients. Trevino described the renovated facility as a beautiful and much-needed space that would ease the burden for those undergoing difficult treatments.
Another major enhancement was the introduction of a lung nodule program, which aimed to improve early detection of lung cancer using cutting-edge robotic technology. This program, building on equipment first used in the Baton Rouge network in 2022, allowed doctors to analyze potentially cancerous nodules at a much earlier stage. Trevino noted the life-saving potential of early detection, especially given Louisiana’s lung cancer rate, which exceeded the national average. With 61.1 cases per 100,000 residents statewide—compared to 53.1 nationally—addressing lung health remained a critical concern. Ascension Parish’s rate was slightly below the state average at 59.9 per 100,000, but still demanded attention.
Looking ahead, Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth pledged to continue expanding services and investing in infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing parish. The healthcare system’s renewed focus on community, history, and compassionate service suggested that the legacy of St. Elizabeth was not only remembered—but actively lived.
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