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.

Alexandria, VA – CFRE International is proud to announce Kay C. Barnett has recertified as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Kay C. Barnett, Executive Director of Development for CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation joins over 6,300 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International, which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.

“The CFRE credential was created to identify for the public and employers those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, and commitment to perform fundraising duties in an effective and ethical manner,” states CFRE International President and CEO Eva E. Aldrich, Ph.D., CAE, (CFRE 2001-2016). “As the certification is a voluntary achievement, the CFRE certification demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of Kay C. Barnett to the fundraising profession and the donors who are served.”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. To maintain certification status, certificants must demonstrate on-going fundraising employment and fundraising results and continue with their professional education. Employers and donors who work with CFREs know they are getting a professional who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and has the requisite knowledge and skills.

The CFRE certification signifies a confident, ethical fundraising professional.

Since 1981, CFRE has set standards for fundraising professionals. As the only globally recognized fundraising certification, CFRE indicates professionalism, confidence, and ethics. It is how today’s fundraiser shows accountability, service, and commitment to making a difference for good. The CFRE certification program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and is the only accredited certification for fundraising professionals.

As the premier global credential for career fundraisers, the CFRE designation is endorsed and supported by the world’s leading professional and philanthropic associations, including:

• Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)
• Association of Fundraising Consultants (AFC)
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE)
• Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC)
• Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
• Brazilian Fundraisers Association (ABCR)
• China Association of Fundraising Professionals (CAFP)
• Canadian Association of Gift Planners—Association Canadienne des Professionnels en Dons
• Planifies (CAGP-ACPDP)
• Educate Plus
• European Fundraising Association (EFA)
• Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA)
• Fundraising Institute New Zealand (FINZ)
• The Giving Institute
• International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC)
• Japan Fundraising Association (JFRA)
• Kenya Association of Fundraising Professionals (KAFP)
• Korea Society of Philanthropy (KSoP)
• National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers (NACCDO)
• National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP)
• National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)
• New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP)
• North American YMCA Development Organization (NAYDO)
• Texas Association of Community College Foundations (TACCF)
• United Way Worldwide (UWW)
• Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives

CFRE International congratulates Kay C. Barnett for recertifying and continually upholding the key principles of the CFRE designation.

For more information, please visit www.cfre.org or call +1 703.820.5555

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.