Hyde named ‘Grassroots Champion‘

The American Hospital Association, in partnership with the Louisiana Hospital Association, named Devon Hyde, president and CEO of Lake Charles Memorial Health System, as the 2024 “Grassroots Champion” for the state of Louisiana.

The AHA’s Grassroots Champion award was created to recognize those hospital leaders who effectively educate elected officials on a hospital’s vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital, and who serve as a tireless advocate for their hospital, staff, and patients.

The Grassroots Champion award is presented annually to one individual from each state, with winners being chosen by the state hospital association.

Along with his advocacy work, Hyde is a member of the board of directors for the Louisiana Hospital Association. He also is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Institute of Healthcare Executives and Suppliers.

Hyde’s advocacy has proven to contribute and supports the overall economic impact of the healthcare industry in southwest Louisiana. The healthcare industry leads the way as the largest employer base in the region, contributing over 15,000 jobs to area residents. The economic benefit from ongoing hospital operations in SWLA generated almost $2.4 billion in business sales and led to the collection of $114 million in state and local taxes in 2023.

Sulphur plant wins award

A local manufacturing plant that fills and distributes industrial and medical gases in cylinders across the Louisiana area was named one of two National Cylinder Plants of the Year by Airgas, an Air Liquide company. Selected among 400+ Airgas cylinder plants across the country, the Sulphur location was one of the top Airgas plants in overall safety and performance measures.

The Sulphur Airgas plant had a clean safety record in 2023, incurring zero accidents or injuries. The team members take pride in caring for one another and maintaining organization and cleanliness within their facility, which has helped them to build a strong safety culture. This past year, the Sulphur team vastly improved their production turnaround time, adapting efficiencies in cylinder storage and handling that are enhancing operations.

Airgas’ CEO, COO and senior leaders visited the Sulphur plant in July to celebrate the plant’s success, tour the facility and celebrate the plant’s associates.

The plant received a National Cylinder Plant of the Year trophy made from a three-foot gold cylinder, which is proudly displayed to forever commemorate their accomplishment. Additionally, each plant associate received a personalized award ring commemorating the achievement.

Bercier joins LC Memorial

Lake Charles Memorial Health System is pleased to welcome John P. Bercier, DO, a board-certified Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician, to its medical staff.

Bercier received a Bachelor of Science from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then completed a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Miss., in 2018. He continued his training and education through Louisiana State University Internal Medicine Residency at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, followed by a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine with Louisiana State University – New Orleans.

Throughout his educational career he spent a significant amount of time in medical-field academic organizations, giving back to the community and advancing the training experience for himself and his peers.

Inspired by his father’s career as a dentist, Bercier knew he had a desire to serve others in the field of medicine because of the immense amount of joy he finds in helping others. Originally from Rayne, he is familiar with the SWLA community and looks forward to his new practice at Lake Charles Memorial Health System.

Bercier is accepting new patients at Memorial Pulmonary Associates located inside Lake Charles Memorial Hospital at 2770 3rd Ave., Suite 350.