Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) announced that Scott Wester will be transitioning from his position as market president for Baton Rouge and Our Lady of the Lake into a system executive role focused exclusively on the recently announced strategic LSU partnership as well as statewide advocacy.
According to Wester, “This unique growth opportunity is right for the organization and for me. I could not be more excited about focusing on this historic opportunity for Louisiana healthcare as we implement our new expanded relationship with LSU. In fact, this particular partnership has incredible potential for our workforce, physicians, academic partners, patients and the people of Louisiana. The Spirit of Healing is important to everyone, and today’s message is about the future.”
Wester’s contributions are significant over the duration of his nearly 30 years within FMOLHS, 14 of the most recent at the helm of Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. Under his leadership, Our Lady of the Lake has grown in size and complexity earning national recognition and community support. He has helped shepherd some of the most notable Our Lady of the Lake additions in the capital region such as the Heart & Vascular Institute, the Children’s Hospital, the Livingston Campus, the expanded Ascension Campus, North Baton Rouge, graduate medical education, numerous physician practices, ambulatory surgery facilities, and the thriving Essen campus.
According to FMOLHS President and CEO Richard Vath, MD, “Because he knows our organization so well, Scott’s new focused responsibilities ideally align to his strategic skills and management talents. The organization is fortunate he has agreed to lead these important initiatives which will benefit from his insights and experience.”
Our Lady of the Lake Board Chair Skip Philips said, “I am always impressed with Scott’s leadership, particularly these past months as we have all been impacted by COVID-19 and the unprecedented challenge of a pandemic. He is thoughtful in his decisions and advocacy for our team members and physicians’ well-being and a champion for the clinical excellence and quality of which Our Lady of the Lake has earned its national reputation. The LSU partnership and advocacy are also vitally important, and we look forward to Scott’s dedicated leadership.”
Operations of the FMOLHS Baton Rouge Market continues with a strong leadership team and regional momentum. Catherine O’Neal, MD, serves as chief medical officer for Our Lady of the Lake with Stephanie Manson as chief operating officer and Christi Pierce, DSc, as chief academic officer. Beth O’Brien will assume the interim market president role. In the coming months, the health system expects to begin a national search to lead its Baton Rouge market.