Lake Charles, Louisiana (July 6, 2020) – The CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation is pleased to announce Cheyanna Glyenn will be joining the team as the Children’s Miracle Network Director (CMN).

As the CMN Director, Cheyanna will raise funds for local children’s health initiatives, such as the Labor and Delivery Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and the Kids Team Therapy program at CHRISTUS Ochsner Lake Area Hospital. She will also manage Foundation events, including the annual Dragon Boat Races, Green Hat Fun Run/ Walk/ Crawl and Charity Cook-off, and the CMN Radiothon.

“We are thrilled to have Cheyanna join the Foundation team. She brings over 8 years of fundraising experience to the CHRISTUS Ochsner SWLA Foundation, along with a passion for wellness and philanthropy, which makes her a great asset to the Foundation and CMN,” says Kay Barnett, Executive Director of Development for the CHRISTUS Ochsner SWLA Foundation.

Originally, from Lake Charles, Glyenn attended A. M. Barbe High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from Northwestern State University. She has been an associate with CHRISTUS Health since 2007 and was previously the manager of the CHRISTUS Louisiana Athletic Club- Lake Charles. Cheyanna is excited about her new role and the opportunity of continuing to fulfill the CHRISTUS mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital has been a CMN hospital since 1987 and is the exclusive CMN Hospital for Southwest Louisiana. The Children’s Miracle Network serves an area from the Sabine River east to the Atchafalaya Basin and from Beauregard Parish south to the Gulf of Mexico. CMN funds are raised through the CHRISTUS Ochsner SWLA Foundation to be used to create local miracles by funding advanced pediatric equipment and wellness education programs that our children in Southwest Louisiana need for their health and well-being.

Lake Charles, LA – The CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation is pleased to announce Matthew Welsh will be joining the team as a Development Specialist.

In this newly created position, Welsh will be responsible for the management and execution of fundraising and donor recognition events, such as Green Hat Charity Fun Run/Walk/Crawl and the Shamrocks & Champagne Brunch, as well as assisting with the Children’s Miracle Network’s Annual Dragon Boat Race. He will also be responsible for developing and implementing strategic project improvement measures, managing all stewardship and cultivation projects, and overseeing the Foundation’s website and social media initiatives.

“We are thrilled to have Matthew Welsh join the CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation team. His expertise and background in development and marketing will allow the Foundation to focus on process improvement and strategic event growth initiatives to enhance our efforts and expand our support for CHRISTUS Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana’s ministry,” says Kay Barnett, Executive Director of Development, CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation.

Originally from Lake Charles, Welsh earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from McNeese State University. Welsh brings more than 15 years of development and marketing management experience to the CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation. He has previously served in several leadership roles with the America Heart Association, L’Auberge Casino Resort and McNeese State University.

Lake Charles, LA – The CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation was recognized by the CHRISTUS Health System for the “Women’s Health Council – Ladies Luncheon Initiative”. The 2019 Philanthropy Crystal Cross award recognized the Foundation team for their contribution over the past year for extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ in support of the core values through a uniquely successful philanthropic initiative.

The Foundation established a Women’s Health Council which consists of 23 women from the southwest Louisiana community. The members of the Women’s Health Council have lead an effort in the development of a new women’s healthcare fund. The fund provides financial assistance to women in need, to assist in covering the cost of women’s services for health screenings, particularly related to breast health.

The CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation’s initiative and subsequent efforts will continue to improve the health, well-being and lives of countless women; and, it supports the vision of CHRISTUS Health in being a leader, partner and advocate in the creation of innovative health and wellness solutions that improve the lives of individuals and communities.

Lake Charles, LA  – New board members and officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation on August 16, 2019.

Leading the Foundation for the upcoming 2019-2020 fiscal year is newly-elected Chair, Keith Wimberly. Joining him on the Executive Committee are Missy Amidon, Vice Chair; Courtney Storer, Secretary; Eligha Guillory, Jr., Treasurer; and Members-at-Large Laura Leach, Michael Pendergast and Kevin Holland, CEO, CHRISTUS Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana.

Keith Wimberly has served on the Foundation Board since 2011 and is the founder of Louisiana Mortgage Associates. He now has locations in Sulphur, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Southeast Texas. He acquired his degree in Finance and his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from LSU. He and his wife, Kelli, were born and raised in Lake Charles and have two sons and one daughter. Keith is very active in the community and currently serves as the Chairman of the Wishing Well Foundation of SWLA and Chairman for The Better Business Bureau (BBB). Previously, he has served on numerous Boards and has always assisted multiple charitable organizations.  He holds the most prestigious designation in the mortgage industry, Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS). The CMPS Designation is achieved by less than 1% of mortgage lending professionals, and Keith is one of only two with the CMPS designation in Louisiana.

New Board Members are Dr. James Jancuska, Blake Soto and Alan Trantina.

Returning members to the Board of Directors are Brian Abshire; Sawsan Abu Shamat; Carl Ambrose, Sr.; Nancy Burleigh; Bob Chandler; Jamie Chapman; Myrna Conner; Marion Fox; Jordan Haman; Glenda McCarty; Dorothy McDaniel; Eric Mire; Faith Scott; Kimberly Caldarera-Theriot and Gregory P. Thibodeaux.

The Foundation oversees the philanthropic efforts of CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick and CHRISTUS Ochsner Lake Area Hospitals, which includes Children’s Miracle Network.