Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and the University of Louisiana System Co-host the 4th Annual Black Male Summit
June 19, 2024
Baton Rouge, LA – The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) and the University of Louisiana System (UL System) proudly co-hosted the 4th Annual Black Male Summit on June 17-18. The summit brought together over 600 students, educators, mentors, and professionals from across the state of Louisiana to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing black male students within the UL System.
“We are honored to co-host the University of Louisiana System’s Annual Black Male Summit and support the Reginald F. Lewis Scholar program,” said Tina Schaffer, VP of Talent Strategy & Chief Diversity Officer at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. "Our collaboration with the UL System reflects our commitment to nurturing talent and promoting an inclusive environment where all students can achieve their highest potential.”
The Black Male Summit fostered meaningful connections and collaborations among participants. It offered a range of workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, allowing attendees to develop and refine their professional skills. The event also encouraged dialogue on strategies to recruit, teach, advise, coach, and counsel black men in the UL System more effectively.
“We are honored to partner with Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System for the 4th Annual Black Male Summit,” said Rick Gallot, President of the University of Louisiana System. “As a father of four sons, I understand the importance of creating pathways and closing the opportunity and achievement gaps for our young men. This summit will provide a space to nurture talent, promote inclusivity, bring communities together, and ensure the success of our students.”
FMOLHS and the UL System continue to strengthen their partnership through various initiatives beyond the summit. These include scholarship programs, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative research projects designed to bridge gaps in education and healthcare. Together, they are committed to building a well-rounded and skilled workforce equipped to meet the future needs of Louisiana and beyond.
FMOLHS recognizes the importance of nurturing talent and creating pathways for success. Through its sponsorship of the Black Male Summit, FMOLHS reaffirms its commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the UL system and beyond.
To learn more about the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and its commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit fmolhs.org/dei.
About the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System is one of the largest healthcare systems based in Louisiana and is the leading healthcare provider for more than half the state’s population. The health system is a non-profit, Catholic organization sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the ministry serves patients in Louisiana and Mississippi through a network of hospitals, clinics, physicians and integrated health systems. The health system’s unified physician organization is comprised of more than 1,100 adult and pediatric primary care physicians and specialists. The system’s nine main campus hospitals include St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and Gonzales, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Heart Hospital, and Women's & Children's Hospital in Lafayette, Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa, and St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. For more information, visit fmolhs.org.