Company Profile - CHRISTUS Natchitoches Parish Hospital

Overview

Natchitoches Parish Hospital (NPH) is currently a 78-bed facility that includes 45 medical/surgical beds, 10 OB/GYN beds, four labor, delivery and recovery rooms, eight intensive care unit/critical care unit beds and a 15-bed geriatric psychiatric unit. The hospital also houses a 112-bed skilled nursing home. The PRISM Center is a comprehensive rehabilitation facility offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, sports medicine, industrial medicine, as well as a wound care program.

NPH has embarked on a $15 million building project with a targeted completion in 2004. Internal renovations have been completed including a newly remodeled women and children's center on the third floor and medical/surgical unit on the second floor.

WELLNESS is our mission, and that encompasses health of mind, body and spirit. At NPH we believe that WELLNESS is not only the treatment of illness but should include education and prevention as well. NPH supports numerous charitable, civic and community activities and sponsors community education programs, health forums and screenings throughout the year. Clinical training for nursing students enrolled at Northwestern State University and the Louisiana Vocational Training School is also provided through NPH.

NPH has been affiliated with CHRISTUS Health through a management agreement since 1997. NPH is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Benefits

CHRISTUS Healing ministries: Nourishment for the soul at Our Daily Bread CHRISTUS Health has many ways of fulfilling its Mission, “to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.” In this issue, Via CHRISTUS explores Our Daily Bread in Galveston, and some other community outreach ministries that extend a helping hand, and a healing touch, to those we are honored to serve. "The food pantry is my prayer room," says Sissie Sandoval, the kitchen manager at Our Daily Bread in Galveston, Texas. It is here, among the canned vegetables, loaves of bread and bags of rice, that she prays for food on behalf of the homeless people who depend on Our Daily Bread for nourishment. Sissie is constantly amazed at the bounty they’ve received over the past 15 years through the generosity of donors such as Homecut Bakery, which has delivered freshly baked donuts ever since they opened. "One day, we needed three more bags of potatoes for potato salad…. I prayed for potatoes, and a lady brought in three big cartons of potato salad, already prepared," she says. "In fact, we haven’t lacked potatoes since the day we prayed for them. The Lord has provided everything we’ve asked for." If the appearance of food is a miracle, so is each homeless person who has sought help and found hope through spiritual care, enrichment programs, volunteering and nourishment at Our Daily Bread. The community-based initiative, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, serves 30,000 meals a year, every one of them donated. Under the leadership of Sister Ursula O’Keeffe, the program has been providing day shelter, nutrition, clothing, personal hygiene, first aid and referral services to those in need since 1986. Located near a neglected section of Galveston called "The Jungle," Our Daily Bread is a welcome refuge for those who have little but the clothes on their backs. Dignity and respect "It takes more than food to take care of a whole person," says Sister Ursula. "People have basic needs that must be met before they can address the more complicated problems. We try to meet the basic needs of food and clothing, respect and dignity…we believe you get what you give. We treat each person courteously, and serve their food on real china…we call people by name to seat them when their table is ready. And we get to know each person, their particular story and the problems they’re facing. Perhaps the most important step is to identify the problems, and find out what people are willing to do for themselves. We believe it’s each person’s privilege to decide what positive steps they are willing to take, and once they’ve decided, we will help," she states. The mission of Our Daily Bread is "…to minister to the person who is homeless in such a way that God’s love and compassion will be experienced by all."

Vision

Our Mission

To extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

Our Core Values

•Dignity: Respect for the worth of every person with special concern for the poor and underserved.

•Integrity: Honesty, justice, and consistency in all relationships.

•Excellence: High standards of service and performance.

•Compassion: Service in a spirit of empathy, love, and concern.

•Stewardship: Wise and just use of talents and resources in a collaborative manner.

Our Vision

•Strengthen our current ministries and expand into new locations and services.

•Implement innovative approaches to caring for the whole person.

•Increase access to health care for the poor and underserved through advocacy and other initiatives.

•Make significant contributions to creating healthy communities.

•Create a work environment filled with hope, dignity, and mutual respect.