Iberia Medical Center reports strong audit, 24/7 STEMI capability and North Campus expansion plans

Iberia Medical Center reported to the Iberia Parish Council on April 9 that its auditors found no adjustments or internal-control findings for fiscal year 2024 and that the hospital’s cash and short-term investments total about $35,000,000, roughly 120 days of operating cash.

CEO Dionne Viator and the hospital’s finance team presented the audited statements and an operational update. Viator said the hospital’s revenue for the 2024 year was about $135,000,000 and that the facility now employs 828 people. She told the council that ‘‘we’ve made some significant strides in building our cash over the year,’’ and that the organization has reduced long‑term debt in recent years.

Viator also highlighted the emergency room’s performance, noting the hospital consistently meets the 90‑minute door‑to‑device benchmark for STEMI heart attacks. ‘‘Our emergency room identifies that we have 24/7, 365 coverage of this equipment and physicians so that you can be brought immediately,’’ she said, adding the center is one of the region’s designated receiving centers for STEMI care.

The hospital introduced Dr. Steve Morgan as the new medical director of the emergency room. Viator said physician recruitment remains a priority, announcing a general surgeon starting in August 2025 and a family medicine physician who will join once training concludes in 2026. Viator said the North Campus expansion continues and that policies, equipment and staffing work is ongoing; she estimated a 9–12 month timeline before additional beds open.

Viator described two one‑time items in 2024 that affected reported totals: a roughly $3,900,000 CMS reimbursement and tornado insurance proceeds. Excluding such adjustments, she said normal operations produced a roughly $1.6 million operating bottom line for the year.

Council members praised the hospital’s turnaround and emergency care performance. Councilman Scott Ronsonet recounted his own recovery after a heart attack and noted the local availability of timely STEMI care. Viator thanked the council for appointing engaged board members and pledged to provide updates to the parish as staffing and expansion plans progress.

The presentation concluded with a brief description of an outreach program to combat youth vaping; the hospital plans parent and educator outreach beginning May 1 as part of a broader school‑year campaign.

The council acknowledged the audit, adopting the resolution that recognized the hospital’s fiscal‑year audit.