Beauregard Health System and Lake Charles Memorial Health System are pleased to announce the parties have entered into a clinical affiliation agreement. This agreement will create a partnership that focuses on producing high quality, coordinated care to the residents of Southwest Louisiana that will offer patients more comprehensive care. As health care dynamics continue to change in the industry, this affiliation will strategically position both health systems for continued success. Integrated health systems that can deliver quality care more efficiently and cost-effectively, leading to better patient outcomes, will see increased stability and improved services for patients.

“As health reform evolves, health systems and providers are developing more regional strategies and this affiliation between Beauregard Health System and Lake Charles Memorial Health System is a step in the right direction,” says William F. “Bud” Barrow, II, Chief Executive Officer of Beauregard Health System. “Our vision is to be the premier provider of health and wellness services in our community and to be the primary connector or ‘gateway’ to health care solutions wherever individuals and families are best served. This affiliation represents the results of a careful and deliberate process to ensure the best strategic direction forward.”

The success of Beauregard Health System and Lake Charles Memorial Health System lies in the shared mindset that health care is best delivered on a local level. The systems have complimentary missions, visions and values and share a passion to improve the health of the people and communities they have been called to serve. While both have clear strengths in their markets, the affiliation is a good fit and will enhance services, programs and access to care.

"This affiliation makes sense on so many levels. Lake Charles Memorial and Beauregard Health System are both not-for-profit, community-owned health systems. Every dollar made is reinvested back into our hospitals to bring the best technology, physicians, and facilities to the respective communities we serve,” says Larry Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lake Charles Memorial. "It makes good business and patient care sense for us to coordinate and share resources, saving money and streamlining some services and operations."

This clinical affiliation is not a purchase or an acquisition. Each organization’s ownership and governance structure will remain as separate local boards of trustees. The affiliation will enhance the economies of scale for both organizations to allow for sharing of best practices and cost savings.

BHS and LCMHS Affiliation FAQs

Is Beauregard Health System being bought out by Lake Charles Memorial Health System?

NO, the clinical affiliation agreement between BHS and LCMHS will create a partnership that focuses on producing high quality, coordinated care to the residents of Southwest Louisiana that will offer patients more comprehensive care.

Is this the beginning of a takeover?

NO, as health reform evolves, health systems and providers are developing more regional strategies and the clinical affiliation between BHS and LCMHS will enhance services, programs and access to care.

Is Beauregard Health System in trouble financially?

NO, the success of BHS and LCMHS lies in the shared mindset that health care is best delivered on a local level. The systems have complimentary missions, visions and values and share a passion to improve the health of the people and communities they serve. It makes good business and patient care sense to coordinate and share resources. The affiliation will allow the systems to streamline a number of services and operations, as well as save money.

Will BHS and LCMHS boards merge?

NO, each organization’s ownership and governance structure will remain as separate local boards of trustees.

Why did BHS merge with LCMHS?

The affiliation makes sense on many levels. Both systems are not-for-profit, community health systems, and every dollar made is reinvested back into the hospitals to bring the best technology, physicians, and facilities to the respective communities served. The affiliation will enhance the economies of scale for both organizations to allow for sharing of best practices and cost savings.