Louisiana

Steward Healthcare under fire by Louisiana legislators for causing the downfall of Glenwood Regional Medical Center

Published

9 months ago

April 11, 2024

Steward Healthcare under fire by Louisiana legislators for causing the downfall of Glenwood Regional Medical Center

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Officials with the Louisiana Department of Health suggested Glenwood Regional Medical Center is a “financially distressed hospital” in a dire situation. The hospital’s services continue to decline due to mismanagement by its parent company Steward Healthcare.

After being put on immediate jeopardy status three times in a 120-day period, Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe is facing a major fallout that could be detrimental to the residents of Northeast Louisiana.

On Tuesday, April 9, Louisiana legislators raised questions and concerns about the hospital and its parent company during a Health and Welfare Committee hearing. In the hearing, Representative Michael Echols (R- District 14) is heard asking Glenwood’s interim CEO, Jonathan Turton, “Do you feel personally responsible for any deaths or declining care at your facility?” Turton then responded “Yes.”

Turton not only confirmed that deaths have occurred because of Steward Healthcare’s mismanagement, but he also highlighted the immoral actions of Glenwood’s parent company.

Rep. Michael Echols asked Turton, “Do you feel it’s wrong for those executives to steal from the organization and not funnel the resources you need to care for patients?” A long pause is heard before Rep. Echols follows up with, “That’s a yes or no, is that wrong?” Turton responded by saying “Yes.”

One former employee was emotional during her testimony as she accused Steward Healthcare of lying to the community. She listed the facilities that have closed since Steward took over five years ago.

The Women’s Center, Labor and delivery unit, skilled nursing facilities, Long-term acute care (LTAC), one medical surge unit, one critical care unit, the rehab center, and the imaging center have all ceased to exist under Steward Healthcare’s management.

“So whenever they go to the public and they tell them ‘we’re operating in full force’, there’s nothing full force about this hospital anymore, it’s the saddest thing I’ve ever been around,” the former employee said.

The former employee also mentioned how she had been in the process of treating patients when she found out that they no longer had a $5 piece of equipment in stock to complete the procedures.

In an interview, Rep. Echols said the Executive greed and corruption is unacceptable.

“It’s just a big Ponzi scheme. They bought an asset, they shuffled the asset to another entity, they then in turn, have cash flow moving to an operating entity, they loot that entity, and then try to hold the community hostage with the asset being another separately held resource. And so that, to me, is the criminal nature of this. It’s very structured, it’s very organized. And this has happened not only in our community but multiple communities across America,” Echols said.

Beyond not allocating money to provide resources and staffing necessary to operate, the hospital is also facing the potential of losing its license with the Louisiana Department of Health since it continues to violate compliance.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have put Glenwood on a “termination track”. If Glenwood is unable to get off that track before June 11, it will lose the ability to accept Medicare and Medicaid payments. Since Medicare and Medicaid are a large portion of the money the hospital brings in, this would ultimately shut down the facility.

Rep. Echols believes the actions of Steward Healthcare officials are “killings and maiming” patients that come to its hospitals.

“When I accuse these people of being healthcare terrorists, I mean it,” Echols said.

Echols said the nurses and doctors who are currently still working at Glenwood are doing everything they can to keep the hospital afloat, however, they’re dealing with a corporate monster.

“I’m pissed. I’m pissed that my constituents are getting hurt and I’m going to do everything within my power working with the Attorney General, the civil and any other authorities that I can to ensure that these injustices are made to be just,” Echols said.

KNOE reached out to Glenwood’s spokesperson and interim CEO, as well as Steward Healthcare for comment. Neither have responded.

As for right now, the quality of care is continuing to dwindle as KNOE’s investigations have revealed over the last five months.

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Louisiana

Army Black Knights, Louisiana Tech Offensive Stars To Watch in Independence Bowl

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Army Black Knights, Louisiana Tech Offensive Stars To Watch in Independence Bowl

The Independence Bowl will be a game of offensive contrasts as the Army West Point Black Knights face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday at Independence Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. eastern on ESPN.

Army (11-2) enters the game using its run-based attack based on option, deception and power football. If the Black Knights don’t have 34 or 35 minutes of time of possession by game’s end, then they haven’t done their job. Army can create big plays, but the Black Knights would rather grind its opponents down to submission.

Louisiana Tech (5-7) runs a pass-based, Air Raid offense that coach Sonny Cumbie learned from one of his coaches and mentors, the legendary Mike Leach. The former Texas Tech quarterback doesn’t have the talent he needs to make it as effective as the Red Raiders’ glory days offensively. But, he’s found a quarterback that could help get him there in the coming years — if the Bulldogs can hang onto him.

This is the transfer portal era after all.

Here are three offensive players to watch for each team going into Saturday’s contest.

QB Bryson Daily

Daily was the American Athletic Conference offensive player of the year and was sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. He is the focal point of this offense. He’s rushed for 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns (tied for most in FBS) and has thrown for another 942 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. If LA Tech wants to win, it has to slow him down. Look at the Navy tape for a template.

RB Noah Short

With Kanye Udoh’s transfer to Arizona State, the bulk of the complementary backfield work may fall to short, who was the Black Knights’ third-leading rusher this season. He rushed for 542 yards and two touchdowns but gained more yards per carry (7.7) than Udoh (6.2).

This is Daily’s swan song so he’ll get plenty of work. But Short needs to be a solid complement. He’s also one of Army’s top passing targets with 17 catches for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

WR Casey Reynolds

Reynolds leads the Black Knights with 19 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns. When Daily looks for a big play down the field, count on Reynolds to be the receiver he’s looking for. It’s been that way all season.

QB Evan Bullock

He finally emerged with the starting job in late September and the freshman ended up with 1,938 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions as he completed 67% of his passes. That’s a solid start in an offense that requires quick passing and high accuracy. Bullock has both, but he’s also been sacked 31 times.

RB Omiri Wiggins

The running game can be afterthought in an Air Raid offense. But Wiggins is coming off a huge game in LA Tech’s finale, as he rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns and three interceptions against Kennesaw State. That was more than a quarter of his output this season (487 yards, four touchdowns).

WR Tru Edwards

The senior is from Shreveport, La., so this is like coming home. And he’s had a huge year for the Bulldogs. Edwards is their leading receiver by a significant margin, with 77 receptions for 897 yards and six touchdowns. He’s caught 25 passes in his last three games but hasn’t found the end zone.

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Louisiana

Letters: State should invest in training mental health providers

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Letters: State should invest in training mental health providers

Most of Louisiana is classified as a mental health professional shortage area, leaving countless families — especially children —without access to critical mental health services. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, over half of children in Louisiana who experience mental health challenges do not receive the care they need. This is a staggering number given that this study estimates that 30.3% of children ages 3-17 have at least one emotional, developmental or behavioral health disorder. This unmet need has far-reaching consequences, affecting school performance, family stability and community safety.

Addressing this gap starts with investing in higher education programs that train the mental health professionals our state desperately needs. Universities such as the University of Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, McNeese State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of New Orleans, University of Holy Cross, Tulane University, Nicholls State University, LSU and others play a vital role in preparing skilled counselors, psychologists and social workers.

However, the current capacity of mental health training programs is not sufficient to meet the growing demand. We are facing another potential budget shortfall in Louisiana that could impact higher education. Without adequate funding and resources, these programs may struggle to equip students with the expertise and experience required to enter the workforce.

Investing in these programs is not just about addressing today’s challenges — it is about safeguarding the future of Louisiana. By increasing the number of trained mental health professionals, we can improve outcomes for children and families, reduce the strain on emergency services and foster healthier, more resilient communities.

It is time to prioritize the mental health of our state by supporting higher education programs that make a difference. Together, we can build a brighter, healthier future.

MATTHEW THORNTON

chief executive officer, Center for Children and Families, Inc.

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Louisiana

Stabbing death reported at Louisiana prison

Published

21 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Stabbing death reported at Louisiana prison

(KTAL/KMSS) – A dispute that resulted in an inmate’s death is under investigation at a Louisiana state prison, according to the Department of Corrections.

DOC Director of Communications Ken Pastorick said the incident happened at Southern Correctional Center in Tallulah, Louisiana, and caused the death of Teldric Boyd, 31.

A new release said that around 3:25 a.m. on Monday, Boyd was allegedly stabbed in the neck with a shank by fellow inmate Austin Dean, 33. Correctional center staff is said to have immediately responded and rendered first aid, and then Boyd was brought to a local hospital, where he died at 5 a.m.

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Madison Parish Sheriff’s detectives booked Dean, who they say admitted to stabbing Boyd after an argument the two men had Sunday night.

Boyd was serving a 14-year sentence for various convictions, including racketeering, aggravated battery, two counts of a felon in possession of a firearm, and drug offenses in Rapides Parish.

Dean was serving a 25-year sentence for manslaughter in Rapides Parish and a five-year sentence for aggravated assault on a peace officer; those sentences are to run consecutively.

The investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.

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