Bossier Family Medicine has partnered with CHRISTUS to create the CHRISTUS Bossier Emergency Center

CHRISTUS announced plans to construct and operate a 10,000-square-foot expansion of the Bossier Healthplex Facility for the creation of the CHRISTUS Emergency Center slated to be completed by fall 2017.

CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier Chief Executive Officer Isaac Palmer said it is the only faith-based health-care organization in the region.

“Our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” he said.

The core values of the organization include dignity, integrity, excellence, compassion and stewardship. CHRISTUS promises to show respect for the worth of every individual, showing special concern for the underserved and poor. Maintaining honest relationships through high standards of performance and service by a collaborative staff is of utmost importance.

Palmer said CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier is one of the 10 largest Catholic health systems in the country and one of the 20 largest health systems in the nation.

“Being the region’s only faithbased health system, the associates at CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier are passionate about our mission and treating the ‘whole patient’ both physically and spiritually,” Palmer said “Our promise to the community is unique – smart medicine and healing grace.”

Palmer said the spiritual care teams will make rounds on patients in the same way the doctors do.

“Our spiritual care teams prays with patients and provides a healing environment,” he said.

A chapel will not be at the new facility, but the new facility common spaces will be utilized for events, ceremonies and other activities that will be led by the spiritual care team.

Palmer said CHRISTUS is thrilled to expand the organization in the Shreveport- Bossier City area.

“We are excited about expanding and growing in Bossier as well as providing additional access points for the community to receive health care,” he said. “This new facility is the first of its kind in the region. This innovative model is more like a hybrid emergency room with inpatient, short-stay beds versus a traditional hospital model the community has come to know.”

CHRISTUS Bossier Emergency Center provides 24/7 access to boardcertified emergency physicians who will accommodate patients with emergent illnesses, including heart attack, stroke and minor trauma. Acute abdominal pain, bladder inections, chest pain, dehydration, pneumonia seizures, lacerations, and sprained or broken bones will also be treated.

Short-stay inpatients, also treated by board-certified physicians, will be taken care of with the same excellence and care, Palmer said. Short-stay inpatients are provided beds for brief hospitalization. These patients require further monitoring and treatment, such as diagnostic testing, antibiotic therapy or post-operative care. The inpatients will be discharged as soon as clinical conditions are resolved.

“Patients may be admitted through the emergency room or directly from the physician’s office,” Palmer said. “The location also brings an additional point for outpatient lab services and radiology testing to include X-ray, MRI, CT, 3D digital mammography and ultrasound.”

Palmer said people choose CHRISTUS because they believe in CHRISTUS.

“Our patients choose CHRISTUS because they know and trust the patientfocused, faith-based care we provide,” he said.

“CHRISTUS is responding to the Bossier medical community and residents for more access to the health care,” he said. “We are excited and honored to bring this innovative model of care to the area.”

The nonprofit organization aims to bring quality health care with a faith-based approach to the Shreveport-Bossier City area, giving the community a different option when it comes to both their health and their faith. Typically, health care and faith are not intertwined, but CHRISTUS is anything but typical. Being healthy spiritually and mentally can aid in the healing process and help put patients at ease, especially in an emergency situation.

When the facility opens, patients will have another option for high-quality health care in the Northwest Louisiana area. Not only will patients have another option for their health and wellness, but they will also be in a warm, loving facility in a time of pain, discomfort or illness. The support staff and the physicians will provide effective and efficient service to every patient with that little extra healing touch. 

CHRISTUS, Latin for “Christ,” states publicly the mission of the organization. CHRISTUS is a Catholic-based ministry that hopes to be a partner, an advocate and a leader in health and wellness solutions. They hope to improve the lives of their patients. Ultimately, they want everyone to be able to experience God’s love and healing presence while healing from their ailments.

– April Kelley