Sandel named CEO of ClearSky

LEESVILLE — ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Leesville is proud to announce the appointment of Lacey Sandel as its new chief executive officer.

With nearly two decades of clinical and managerial experience in hospital operations, Sandel’s forward-thinking approach and proven track record of success in both patient care and leadership will be instrumental in advancing the hospital’s mission to provide exceptional rehabilitative services.

Her extensive background includes business development, identifying growth opportunities, managing teams, and overseeing budgets, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and patient outcomes.

As a registered nurse, Sandel has held various direct patient care and leadership roles throughout her career, including recently serving as director of marketing and business development for both ClearSky Leesville and ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rosepine. She also has held nurse supervisory roles in various medical facilities throughout Leesville, where she gained comprehensive experience in clinical activities, including nursing, medical coding, and case management.

Sandel earned an associate’s degree of nursing from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

City of LC recognized

The Louisiana Municipal Association recently honored the city of Lake Charles with the prestigious Community Achievement Award at its 87th annual Convention held in Shreveport.

The city received the award in the Community Development Category for the recently completed Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in public transportation, citizen participation, public buildings, main street improvements, development plans, parks and recreation, beautification, promotion of community projects, strategic planning, or cultural enrichment.

Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park, located at 702 Enterprise Blvd., was constructed between March 2023 and November 2023 in the heart of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District.

Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park pays homage to the jazz singer and performer. The stage is outlined with piano keys, Nellie’s instrument of choice. The site also includes special landscaping features and connectivity for food trucks, making this an ideal location to host community events.

Lutcher’s family home was located on Enterprise Boulevard. She attended Second Ward School and was a member of New Sunlight Baptist Church. The sites of her home, school and church, are all within walking distance of the park. She hit the road as a teenager to go on tour with her father’s band, the Southern Rhythm Boys and her career took her to the bigger market of Los Angeles, where she experienced much success and worldwide acclaim. In 2007, Lutcher passed away at the age of 94 in Los Angeles.

Heritage Society inductees

The Christus Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation recently held their inaugural Heritage Society induction ceremony to honor individuals whose lifetime donations have met or exceeded $50,000.

These generous contributions play a pivotal role in enhancing the facilities and outreach community programs, ensuring that patients have access to cutting-edge technology and treatments in their own community.

2024 Heritage Society inductees are: Thomas and Kathryn Filo; Willie King Jr.; Laura Leach and Buddy Leach (posthumously); Dr. Xavier and and Mrs. Kelly Mousset; Dr. John and Mrs. Lucinda Noble; Robert and Dr. Eileen Piper; John and Sylvia Stelly; Dr. David and Mrs. Claire Chang; and Ron and Lori Richard.

Hospital earns national award

Christus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital is being recognized for excellence in stroke care by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

The national award, Get With The Guidelines – Stroke, is given to hospitals who have demonstrated excellence in stroke care. The recognition was created to highlight the health care facilities providing the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines and quick recovery times. Christus Ochsner St. Patrick was awarded a gold plus recognition.

On average, every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke and every 3 minutes and 11 seconds, someone dies of stroke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.

Christus Ochsner St. Patrick underwent a rigorous process to receive this national accreditation. The hospital demonstrated its commitment to quality care, following treatment guidelines and providing patients with education on health management and rehabilitation.