Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health Marks Milestones in Employee Engagement and Recognition

May 02, 2025

Baton Rouge, LA – As part of a large-scale effort to enhance employee engagement and recognition, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) is proud to announce significant developments in key priority areas. In light of recent successes in quality, patient satisfaction and team member engagement, FMOLHS is implementing a 4 percent increase to the base rate of pay for all team members. This action, along with several other strategic initiatives, underscores the healthcare system’s commitment to acknowledging the exceptional work and dedication of its team members and solidifying its reputation as the best place to work in the communities it serves.

“Over the past year, FMOLHS team members have demonstrated exceptional dedication and performance, contributing significantly to the success of our healthcare system,” said E.J. Kuiper, FMOLHS president and CEO. “This pay increase, along with our comprehensive Total Rewards package and new initiatives like Employee Elevation Exchanges, leadership development investments and enhanced recognition programs, is a testament to their efforts. These improvements are an integral part of our strategy to invest in our team members, foster engagement and reinforce our commitment to making FMOLHS the best place to work.”

The decision for an across-the-board pay increase reflects FMOLHS's commitment to acknowledging the important work and dedication of the team and the essential role they play in achieving and surpassing the health system’s goals.

“Our team members are the heart of our organization. Their dedication and commitment are what drive us forward,” said Hunter Richardson, chief administrative officer for FMOLHS. “They dedicate their lives to delivering excellent care to our communities. These initiatives, in combination with our Total Rewards package, are some of the many ways we can ensure they are cared for, too.”

In addition to the pay increase, FMOLHS is excited to introduce several strategic initiatives aimed at further enhancing team member engagement and satisfaction. These include:

• Enhanced Employee Communication: In addition to creating a CEO inbox to facilitate employee feedback and dialogue, FMOLHS has started Employee Elevation Exchanges, an enhanced town hall experience held twice a year designed to facilitate open and transparent dialogue between team members and leadership, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
• Leadership Development Investments: FMOLHS has made significant investments in leadership development by implementing twice-yearly Leadership Assemblies, quarterly Leadership Summits and partnering with Gallup to implement a comprehensive strengths-based leadership development program. This approach focuses on enhancing team member engagement and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• High Team Member Engagement Scores: FMOLHS is proud to share that results from its latest team member engagement have shown a tremendous leap forward. This level of engagement reflects the commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment.
• Employee Recognition Programs: Leaders within the organization are now allotted AwardCo points to acknowledge team members throughout the year for going above and beyond, professional milestones, birthdays or any other way they would like to celebrate them through the FMOLHS PRAISE program, a personalized redemption program for those recognized.

In the current, ever-changing landscape of healthcare, FMOLHS believes it is crucial to reinvest in its team. The pay increase and the new efforts listed above are just some of the ways the system ensures that the team feels valued. The organization is committed to building upon that level of investment and plans are currently in the works to explore additional enhancements to the overall benefits package.

Team members are at the heart of the organization's operations, and recognizing their contributions is vital to maintaining the effectiveness and sustainability of its mission.