In the heart of Lafayette, Bayou Bend Health and Wellness Center stands as a beacon of health and wellbeing for the residents of St. Mary Parish. Having been in operation since 1953, this center is an integral part of the community, boasting a range of services that rival even those found in larger metropolitan hospitals.
U.S Senator Bill Cassidy, MD,(R-LA) recently visited the center to gain firsthand insights into its operations and affirm its importance to the community. As a medical professional himself, Senator Cassidy appreciates the significance of quality healthcare on both individual and community levels. He believes that the quality of healthcare services often becomes one of the key determiners for families looking to relocate to a new community. From his perspective, Bayou Bend goes above and beyond in meeting the community’s needs.
During his tenure, Senator Cassidy has demonstrated a keen interest in healthcare, championing several bills in the Senate aimed at supporting and enhancing healthcare services. One of these is the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which seeks to broaden Medicare coverage to include chronic weight management medications and specialists.
He has also proposed legislation to support rural and community healthcare, offering considerable aid to rural areas. Part of these efforts include initiatives to enhance ambulance services, promote peer counseling for senior citizens, and the expansion of telehealth through increased access to Medicare.
An essential investment that drives Cassidy’s vision for community healthcare is rural broadband. He believes that an enhanced broadband infrastructure will directly boost telehealth initiatives across Louisiana, thus making health services more widely accessible.
The Bayou Bend Health and Wellness Center showcases its commitment to community health and wellness through a broad array of medical services. These include radiology, respiratory therapy, rehabilitation, pain management, maternity and newborn care, and surgical care. The Wellness Center features a fully equipped fitness center, complete with an indoor walking track, group exercise studios, and amenities for cycling.
Under the guidance of CEO Ms. Stephanie Guidry, Bayou Bend aims to transform conventional perspectives on healthcare, transitioning from a reactive approach to a proactive one through wellness in the communities it serves. The Wellness Center has had multiple successful patient stories, illustrating their initiatives to combat diseases like hypertension and diabetes through wellness initiatives in its first year alone.
Infrastructural development was another crucial topic during Senator Cassidy’s visit, especially given his previous work through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Act delivered millions of dollars throughout the parish, including funds to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for construction, damage repairs, and levee replacements along the Atchafalaya Basin. Other allocations were used to expand the Port of Morgan City’s dock.
Senator Cassidy is highly recognized within St. Mary Parish as a champion and ally, whose leadership has made significant strides in the community’s development. As Evan Boudreaux, Director of Economic Development, Policy and Government Affairs for the parish, noted, establishing lasting economic growth requires collaboration and collective problem-solving, qualities that Senator Cassidy has shown in abundance. Through his commitment and leadership, St. Mary Parish continues to create a vibrant and enriched community.
