St. Francis Medical Center Dedicates Region’s First Obstetrical Emergency Department
May 06, 2025
Monroe, LA - St. Francis Medical Center is proud to announce the dedication of the Evelyn & Jeff Johnson Obstetric Emergency Department (OB-ED), the first specialized obstetrical emergency department in the region, providing immediate and expert care for expectant mothers and those up to six weeks postpartum.
The OB-ED ensures that mothers experiencing emergency situations — from pregnancy complications to urgent postpartum concerns — receive timely, specialized care without the need to travel elsewhere. With advanced medical technology and a highly trained team of specialists, St. Francis Medical Center is equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to any obstetric emergency.
“When urgent needs arise, our team is ready to meet the needs of moms-to-be,” said Dr. Thomas Gullatt, President of St. Francis Health & North Louisiana Market. “The availability of this dedicated OB-ED reflects our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional maternity care at every stage of the journey.”
The Evelyn & Jeff Johnson Obstetric Emergency Department represents a significant advancement in women's healthcare for the region. Thanks to the generous support of Evelyn and Jeff Johnson, St. Francis Medical Center continues to expand its ability to care for mothers and their babies when it matters most.
“At St. Francis, we are with our mothers through all maternity — offering compassion, expertise, and the very best in emergency obstetric care,” said Christa Lewis, Sr. Director of Women’s & Children’s Services.
A dedication ceremony was held Friday, May 2, celebrating this important milestone and honoring the Johnson family's transformational gift, which will positively impact generations of families across the region.
Find out more about OB-ED services at St. Francis here.
About St. Francis Health
St. Francis Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Monroe, Louisiana, with more than 1,800 team members committed to caring for those we serve. With a 321-bed medical center, acute-care hospital, freestanding outpatient center, over 25 outpatient clinics, and nearly 350 physician partners, for more than 110 years, St. Francis has provided comprehensive healthcare services for a variety of medical and surgical specialties. St. Francis offers Northeast Louisiana’s only Level III NICU, Level III OB, OB-ED, and Level II PICU services. St. Francis Medical Center leads the region in heart and vascular services, critical care, and complex and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The hospital offers a designated Level III Trauma Center, a Graduate Medical Education Program, Accredited Chest Pain Center, Accredited Primary Stroke Center and Centers of Excellence in the areas of bariatric surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive gynecology, breast health and specialized anesthesia. St. Francis is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit stfran.com.