The first part of the year at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) has been filled with milestones that reflect the commitment and collaboration of our team and our continued focus on providing safe, high-quality care to our community. We began the year by celebrating being recognized as the first place winner of the 2025 Safety Star Award by the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Trust Funds. This honor reflects the collective efforts of our team, whose work has strengthened patient safety, improved early sepsis detection and timely, evidence-based care.
As our community’s healthcare needs continue to grow, we remain focused on expanding access to care. In February, we welcomed Dr. Louise M. Becnel, an internal medicine physician, to our medical staff, bringing her expertise and compassion to enhance the care provided to every patient at WCCH. At the end of March, we celebrated Doctors’ Day, recognizing the exceptional physicians whose skill, knowledge and dedication make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve. Their work remains the foundation of the trusted care our community has come to expect.
Supporting our community is an essential part of our mission. In April, the Mac Burns Golf Tournament once again brought friends and supporters together to raise important funds for scholarships and programs through the WCCH Foundation. This year, the event raised nearly $30,000 to support the next generation of healthcare professionals and initiatives that directly benefit patient care. Beyond fundraising, our team has remained active
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
JANIE D. FRUG É
in community engagement through events such as This Is Home Fest and ChamberFest. These opportunities allow us to connect with residents, celebrate the communities we serve and share the resources and programs available to support health and wellness.
Our team members are the heart of WCCH, and we are proud to recognize their contributions. In April, we honored our employees at our annual Employee Awards Banquet, celebrating service milestones and achievements that reflect their commitment to excellence. In May, we continue those celebrations during Hospital Week, recognizing the individuals who make our hospital a place of trust, care and compassion.
While it is important to celebrate these achievements, we are equally focused on the future. We have begun our Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive process designed to better understand the health priorities of our community. The insights gained through this assessment, which will be completed later this fall, will guide our planning and help shape initiatives that directly address the needs of our patients and the broader community.
Each of these moments reflects the purpose that drives us every day: delivering exceptional care and advancing the health of the communities we serve.
Thank you for your continued trust and support of WCCH.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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Robert N. “Bob” Davidson
Ellis Hassien
Robert "Bobby" LeTard
S. Mark McMurry
Cecil Sanner
Focusing on the Importance of PATIENT CHOICE AND COMMUNITY CARE
At a time when healthcare decisions are more personal than ever, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) is reinforcing its commitment to patient-centered care. Your Health. Your Choice. Your Hospital.
At West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, providing high-quality care and preserving patient choice go hand in hand. As a community-based hospital, WCCH is dedicated to delivering advanced medical services close to home.
“Our goal is to remind people that exceptional care is available right here in their community,” said Janie Frugé, FACHE, chief executive officer of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “At WCCH, we are committed to empowering patients with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions about their care.”
For Danielle F., choosing where to deliver was something that felt natural from the start. WCCH had always been part of her story — she and her husband were both born there — so when it came time to welcome their first baby, WCCH was her first choice. It was a wonderful experience, and they fully expected the same joy with their second pregnancy.
But at 35 weeks, everything changed. They faced the unimaginable heartbreak of losing their baby. In the middle of that loss, the team at WCCH showed up for them in a way Danielle will never forget. “Everyone was so kind, so compassionate,” she says. “They were really there for us when we needed it most.”
When the family was expecting their third child, there was never a question of where they would choose to receive care. "We came back because of the relationships we had here," she said. “Seeing the same familiar faces who had been with us through our previous joy and sorrow made the experience feel full circle. No one else could have understood. These nurses have cried with us on one of our saddest days and celebrated with us on our happiest days. They are like family.”
Focusing on patient choice, empowerment and proximity of quality care is rooted in WCCH’s broader mission of serving as both a healthcare provider and a community partner, investing in programs, education and services that directly benefit Southwest Louisiana residents.
It’s a message that resonates with patients. When Susan Duhon faced cancer – not once, but twice – she turned to WCCH for treatment.
A retired Nurse Practitioner, Susan has a strong connection to WCCH. After earning her nursing degree, she spent the first five years of her career working at the hospital. She owned and practiced at the Magnolia Clinic in Sulphur, where she worked as a Certified Nurse Midwife and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
Although friends and family encouraged her to seek cancer treatment out of town, Susan says the choice was simple for her. “WCCH has never been just a hospital to me; it’s been a constant I could always count on. Cancer treatment isn’t easy, but here, the burden felt lighter. Choosing to stay local never felt like a compromise. I feel the care is equal to or better than what you can get elsewhere. But more importantly, it’s home.”
WCCH is committed to reinforcing a deeper promise that healthcare should be accessible, personalized and centered on the patient’s needs.
Because when it comes to your health, it’s not just about where you go for care, it’s about choosing a place that’s committed to you.
WCCH RECEIVES 2025 SAFETY STAR AWARD
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) has been recognized as the first-place winner of the 2025 Safety Star Award by the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Trust Funds. This prestigious award recognizes healthcare facilities that have made significant strides in patient or organizational safety innovation.
Through its project, From Improvement to Sustainability: Enhancing Sepsis Bundle Compliance Through Targeted Education and Improved Documentation, WCCH strengthened sepsis care in the emergency department by improving SEP-1 sepsis bundle compliance.
Using a structured Plan-Do-Study-Act approach, the team implemented standardized workflows, enhanced EMR tools, introduced targeted staff education and integrated real-time monitoring to ensure timely, accurate documentation of all SEP-1 bundle elements. Interventions included EMR hard stops to support early sepsis recognition, updated decision-tree templates, improved communication tools and ongoing coaching for both clinical and support staff.
“We are honored to receive the 2025 Safety Star Award,” said Janie Frugé, CEO of WCCH. “This honor reflects the collective efforts of our team, whose work has strengthened patient safety, improved early sepsis detection and timely, evidence-based care.”
WCCH INTRODUCES UCT ATLAS SCANNER TECHNOLOGY
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) has enhanced its diagnostic imaging services with the installation of the new uCT Atlas Scanner, a next-generation system designed to deliver faster scans, exceptional image quality and improved diagnostic accuracy while prioritizing patient comfort and safety.
The system features high-speed imaging with a 0.25-second rotation speed, allowing exams to be completed more quickly and comfortably for patients. Its ultra-wide 82 cm bore and 700-pound patient weight capacity help accommodate patients of all sizes, improving accessibility and overall experience.
“The uCT Atlas Scanner allows our physicians to obtain clearer images more efficiently, which
supports quicker diagnoses and more confident treatment decisions for our community,” said Jake Richey, BSRT (R) (CT) (MR), radiology director at WCCH.
The system also enhances WCCH’s cardiac imaging capabilities. AI-powered cardiac technologies help reduce motion artifacts, improve visualization around stents and soft plaque and produce high-resolution images critical for cardiac CT exams.
The uCT Atlas Scanner is now available at the WCCH Sulphur Diagnostic Center located at 250 Beglis Parkway, Suite 2. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (337) 310-8834.
MEGAN MAJORS NAMED DIRECTOR OF DYNAMIC DIMENSIONS
FITNESS CENTERS
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) is pleased to announce the promotion of Megan Majors to director of Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Centers.
Majors has been a valued member of the Dynamic Fitness team for more than 11 years and previously served as manager of the Moss Bluff location. She brings over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry and has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping individuals achieve their health
and fitness goals through compassionate, knowledgeable and personalized care.
In her new role, Majors will oversee the operations and continued growth of Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Centers, supporting programs and services that promote overall health, wellness and quality of life for members across the community.
Most recently, Majors earned the prestigious Cancer Exercise Training Specialist (CETS) certification through the internationally recognized
Cancer Exercise Training Institute (CETI). This advanced certification equips her to safely design and implement customized exercise programs for both individuals currently undergoing cancer treatment and cancer survivors, addressing the unique physical and emotional challenges associated with treatment and recovery.
Her achievement reflects a continued commitment to expanding evidence-based fitness and wellness services for the community.
Meet Our New Providers
DR. LOUISE M. BECNEL JOINS WEST CALCASIEU CAMERON HOSPITAL
Louise M. Becnel, MD, an internal medicine physician, has joined the medical staff of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Dr. Becnel provides care for adults ages 18 and older, with a focus on the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic conditions.
Dr. Becnel earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She completed her internship and residency training at LSU Charity Hospital, where she gained extensive experience in comprehensive internal medicine care.
She is board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and brings over 35 years of clinical experience, along with a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of the Southwest Louisiana community.
Dr. Becnel is accepting new patients and accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare. Her office is located at 921 First Avenue in Sulphur. To schedule an appointment, call 337528-7472.
DR. YAZAN ALQARA JOINS PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATES OF WCCH
Yazan Alqara, MD, MPH, has joined the medical staff of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) as an internal medicine physician at Primary Care Associates, located in Sulphur. Dr. Alqara will provide care for adults ages 18 and older focusing on diagnosing and treating diseases, chronic conditions and complex health issues. Dr. Alqara earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He completed his internal medicine residency at LSU Health Sciences Center/University Hospital and Clinics Internal Medicine Program in
Lafayette, where he gained extensive experience in inpatient and outpatient care, critical care and subspecialty rotations across cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, pulmonology, infectious disease and more.
He is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association. Primary Care Associates of WCCH accepts most major health insurances, including Medicare. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alqara, please call 337-527-6385.
NUTRITION CORNER SCHOOL’S OUT! Tips for Cultivating Healthy Habits for Kids
by Vanessa Hardy, WCCH Registered Dietitian
Involve Kids in Meal Planning
Let them pick which fruits, vegetables and recipes they want to try each week. This not only makes them feel included, but also piques their interest in healthy foods.
Grocery Shop Together
Turn grocery shopping into a learning experience. Teach them how to read food labels and let them find all the ingredients needed for meals they helped plan.
Fun & Healthy Snack Ideas
Try fruit kabobs for a fun and colorful treat, or veggie cups (using carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips) with hummus to introduce new flavors.
Cook Together
Kids are more likely to eat what they help make. Think smoothies, salads or homemade pizzas with lots of veggie toppings.
Theme Nights
Make dinner time extra fun! Choose a day each week for a special theme. It's a playful way to introduce new healthy foods in a fun, memorable way.
• Mini-food Monday
• Taco Tuesday
• Pasta Friday
Don’t Let Summer Steal Your Breath
What to Watch for and When to See a Pulmonologist
Summer in Southwest Louisiana brings sunshine and outdoor fun, but it can also pose challenges for those living with respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis.
Heat, humidity and seasonal air quality changes can place added stress on the lungs, often leading to increased symptoms or flare-ups.
“Many patients don’t realize how much heat and humidity can impact their breathing,” said Dr. Fidencio Davalos, pulmonologist at the Pulmonary Clinic of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH). “These factors can worsen inflammation in the airways, making it harder to breathe.”
During the summer, higher temperatures, ozone levels and allergens like grass and mold can trigger symptoms. While mild discomfort may occur in extreme heat, certain warning signs should not be ignored.
Fidencio Davalos, MD
If your breathing is interfering with your daily life, that’s not something to push through,” Davalos said. Early care can help prevent complications and keep symptoms under control. “Early evaluation allows us to adjust treatment plans and help patients avoid emergencies,” he added.
To protect lung health this summer, patients should stay hydrated, avoid peak heat hours, monitor air quality and take medications as prescribed.
For those experiencing new or worsening symptoms, scheduling an appointment with a pulmonologist can provide relief and peace of mind.
Symptoms to watch for:
• Increased shortness of breath
• Wheezing or chest tightness
• Persistent cough, especially with mucus
• Fatigue or reduced activity tolerance
• More frequent use of a rescue inhaler
To learn more or schedule an appointment with the Pulmonary Clinic of WCCH, call (337) 528-7472 or visit wcch.com/schedule-an-appointment
TRAIN FOR LIFE WHAT IS 3D STRENGTH
— and Why Are So Many People Missing It?
Are you consistent in the gym — lifting barbells, dumbbells and machines — yet everyday tasks like gardening, lifting heavy boxes or building furniture leave you surprisingly sore?
You might be strong… but not 3D strong. 3D strength is your ability to move through real-life activities with ease; without pain, strain or injury. It goes beyond traditional weight training by incorporating movements your body actually uses every day.
So how do you build it? By combining weights with functional, full-body movements like carrying, pushing, pulling, rotating,
by Megan Majors, Director of Dynamic Fitness
swinging and shifting. This approach, called loaded movement training, helps create a body that’s not just strong, but resilient and capable in everyday life.
At Dynamic Fitness, our MOSSA group classes, like Group Power, Group Active, Move30 and 3D30, are designed to help you train smarter, move better and build true, real-world strength.
Try one today with a free 4-day pass! Call (337) 527-5459 (Sulphur) or (337) 855-7708 (Moss Bluff) to get started.
INVESTED IN HEALTH. Powered by Community Support.
Connecting people, purpose and progress to build a healthier Southwest Louisiana.
Strong communities are built on something you can’t always see — but you can feel. It’s the generosity of neighbors, the commitment of local businesses and a shared belief that together we can care for one another.
That’s the spirit behind the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) Foundation. Each year, the Foundation hosts events that unite people while improving healthcare in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. From the Mac Burns Golf Tournament to Wine Down Vino 101 and the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer Walk, these moments are more than events — they create lasting impact.
MAKING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT
Every dollar raised through WCCH Foundation events stays local, supporting patient assistance programs, community health initiatives and critical hospital needs. Its impact is evident in the lives of neighbors and families throughout our community.
At the heart of this work are the people who make it possible. Sponsors, participants, volunteers and donors all play a role in advancing healthcare locally. And while their contributions may look different, they all move the mission forward. “What makes our Foundation special is that it is truly community-driven. Every person involved, whether playing, sponsoring, volunteering or giving, plays a role in expanding access to care and improving lives right here at home,” says Matthew Welsh, WCCH chief marketing and community impact officer.
MORE THAN FUNDRAISING — A MOVEMENT
The Foundation's 2026 initiative — Invested in Health. Powered by Community Support. — reflects a broader vision, positioning these events not simply as fundraisers but as a united effort to strengthen local healthcare. Through this work, the Foundation connects people, purpose and progress, turning generosity into action.
BE A PART OF THE IMPACT – JOIN US
We invite you to be part of what we’re building together. Whether you attend, sponsor, volunteer or give, your involvement truly matters. When our community comes together, we’re doing more than supporting a hospital. We’re building a healthier future, together.
To learn more or get involved, visit: wcch.com/foundation.
701 Cypress Street Sulphur, LA 70663
Contact us:
For questions about any of the information in this publication, call the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital marketing department at (337) 528-4735.
wcch.com |
Healthwise is published by West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician.
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Clear Views. Convenient Care.
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has expanded services at their Vinton Medical Clinic with the addition of on-site X-ray, making it easier than ever for patients to access fast, accurate diagnostics close to home. This enhancement allows providers to evaluate injuries and medical conditions more efficiently, supporting quicker diagnoses and treatment.
The new X-ray services reflect WCCH’s commitment to convenient, patient-centered care for the Vinton community.
For over 21 years, the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk has raised funds for local breast cancer patients in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes.
The annual event brings the community together in support of early detection and continued progress in the fight against breast cancer.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 Lake Charles Event Center - Front Lawn
Wherever you are in your health journey, WCCH offers classes and events to support you. Visit our website at wcch.com/events or scan the QR code here to see a full list of upcoming events!
Wine Down, Vino 101 is the signature fundraiser for the Calcasieu Community Clinic fund. Funds raised through the event help us bridge the gap and provide healthcare services to the low-income, working and underinsured residents of Imperial Calcasieu’s five-parish area.
