St. Francis Health Dedicates New Central Energy Plant to Power the Future of Healthcare
August 12, 2025
$48 million investment powers long-term sustainability and care as part of St. Francis Forward campus transformation.
MONROE, LA – Today, St. Francis Health dedicated its new Central Energy Plant (CEP), a $48 million investment designed to strengthen the hospital’s infrastructure and ensure long-term operational resilience as part of its St. Francis Forward facility master plan. The CEP enhances the hospital’s ability to deliver safe, reliable care by powering critical systems that will support the downtown Monroe campus for years to come.
The dedication included a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony to honor the plant’s role in supporting the hospital’s mission and its continued commitment to the health and well-being of the community.
“Today is a proud moment for St. Francis Health,” said Thomas Gullatt, MD, President of St. Francis Health. “This new Central Energy Plant marks a major milestone in modernizing our campus and reflects our commitment to providing patients and families with the very best environment for care.”
Located on Wood Street adjacent to the main hospital, the state-of-the-art facility includes upgraded chillers, boilers, piping, mechanical systems, generators, and a dedicated power grid. These components improve energy efficiency, operational reliability, and emergency preparedness, ensuring a stable foundation for current operations and future growth.
Construction on the CEP began in June 2022 and was completed over a two-year period, funded through the hospital’s capital budget. The plant is a cornerstone of the St. Francis Forward initiative, a multi-year strategy to modernize the hospital’s facilities, upgrade technology, and enhance access to care.
“This project is about the future of healthcare in our region,” Dr. Gullatt added. “With a stronger, more resilient campus, we can continue to grow, innovate, and serve Northeast Louisiana with compassion for generations to come.”
The new CEP will power future campus growth and clinical innovation, ensuring St. Francis Health remains a trusted healthcare partner for Northeast Louisiana.
To learn more about St. Francis Health and our commitment to advancing care for the community, visit stfran.com.
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.