CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini celebrates 75 years of healing in Central Louisiana

In 2025, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini celebrates 75 years of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ across the Central Louisiana community. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Foundation aims to raise $75,000 in 75 days, honoring 75 years of dedicated service to Cenla.

“We invite everyone touched by the Sisters of Charity and CHRISTUS St. Frances to consider donating $1 or more a day for 75 days to support the vital, lifesaving care at our hospital,” said Ashley Walker, executive director of philanthropy, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Foundation. “While our fundraiser will officially launch on Jan. 7, we welcome donations at any time to help us continue our mission.”

In 2024, philanthropy played a crucial role in several significant advancements, contributing $1.82 million in equipment upgrades, construction, education and more, including:

• Expanded cardiology services: The creation of the CHRISTUS Heart & Vascular Institute has increased access to cardiology services in Cenla.
• Dr. Perla Castor Simulation Center: This state-of-the-art facility has tripled the hospital’s training space, advancing health education and providing a cutting-edge program for local nursing students.
• HemoSphere monitors: Six new monitors for the intensive care unit offer real-time insights into patients’ hemodynamic status, helping predict outcomes and stay ahead of critical moments.
• CHRISTUS Cabrini Sensory Initiative: A free service for local businesses to support customers and children with sensory needs.
• Giraffe OmniBed Carestations: These additions to the neonatal intensive care unit mimic the conditions of a mother’s womb, essential for the growth and comfort of premature and critically ill infants.
• Cohort program with LSUA: In collaboration with Louisiana State University of Alexandria, this program provides exclusive access, comprehensive training, and financial support for nursing students.

Since its inception in April 1950, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini has been a trailblazer in the region, establishing the first intensive care and neonatal intensive care units and providing 24-hour intensivist coverage. The hospital was also the first in the area to implement robotic technology. Today, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital continues its mission as a nonprofit organization, relying on the Cabrini Foundation and the generosity of the community to deliver the most advanced equipment and programs to patients throughout the region.

“Every day, this remarkable health ministry demonstrates its commitment to providing the most advanced and highest quality care to its patients while ensuring that everyone is treated with love and compassion,” said Monte Wilson, chief executive officer of CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. “We continually strive to create the very best in health care right here in Cenla, and we’re so grateful for the community support and donors who make it all possible.”

CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and the Cabrini Foundation remain steadfast in the mission to continue advancing medical technology and care throughout Cenla. Funds raised through the CHRISTUS Cabrini Foundation’s efforts will continue to support a variety of equipment, services, and programs to support the community’s greatest needs.

To contribute to the future of the CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini ministry, please visit: https://christus.io/Cabrini75.