Hospitals Work Together to Alleviate Post-Hurricane Strain

A graduate of the University of Houston, Paul Generale serves as executive vice president at Dallas-based CHRISTUS Health. In this capacity, he oversees acquisitions, services, and risk finance. Paul Generale also plays a leadership role in administering post-acute-care and ambulatory services for the system.

CHRISTUS recently joined several nearby hospitals to provide hurricane relief along the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Laura hit the area in August 2020 and caused significant damage in coastal Louisiana.

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, directly hit by the hurricane, suffered damage, and had to have babies moved from its neonatal intensive care unit to other nearby hospitals. Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Lafayette took in 10 babies from the unit.

CHRISTUS Ochsner Lake Area Hospital in Lake Charles also had to move four infants from the NICU to the system’s St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. Though Ochsner Lake Area remained open during the storm, it experienced extensive wind and roof damage that required the transfer of 24 patients and the subsequent closure of the facility.

Meanwhile, Ochsner St. Patrick, also in Lake Charles, suffered substantial wind damage. However, it remained open and was kept running thanks to additional water-processing equipment and generators that were brought to the facility. CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital also sent physicians and nurses to Ochsner St. Patrick to provide the employees there with some relief. St. Elizabeth also took four infants from the NICU at Ochsner Lake Area facility.