Hospital Service District No. 2 (HSD #2) plays a vital role in ensuring accessible, quality health care for residents of East St. Mary Parish, including Morgan City and surrounding communities. Created by local ordinance more than half a century ago, HSD #2 is a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana with a mission centered on owning, maintaining, and supporting key health care facilities and services for its residents.
Purpose and Mission
The primary purpose of Hospital Service District #2 is to oversee and manage health care resources on behalf of the community it serves. This includes owning the local hospital facility and working to ensure that essential services—from emergency care to specialty treatments—are available close to home. By maintaining health care infrastructure and partnering with health care organizations, HSD #2 seeks to improve overall well-being for individuals and families throughout the district.
Over the years, the district has collaborated with health care partners to expand services based on community needs. For example, agreements with specialty providers have helped bring enhanced ear, nose, and throat (ENT) services—and related surgical care—to the region, restoring local access to care that was previously not available nearby.
Funding and Community Support
Hospital Service District #2 is funded through a combination of revenue sources designed to support long-term facility needs and health care services. A key component of this funding is local property tax millage approved by voters. In December 2024, voters in the district approved a 9-mill property tax for a 10-year term, expected to generate approximately $32 million over that period. These funds are earmarked for essential hospital maintenance and improvements, recruitment and staffing of medical professionals, and upgrades to infrastructure at the local hospital facility in Morgan City.
The district’s leadership has emphasized that local tax support helps ensure the community can access modern, well-maintained health care facilities without having to travel long distances. Investments from the mills support everything from building repairs and HVAC system upgrades to renovation of patient care areas. They also help fund programs like scholarships for local students pursuing medical or healthcare careers, with the hope they will return to serve the community.
Governance and the Board of Commissioners
HSD #2 is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the East St. Mary Parish Council, ensuring local oversight and accountability. The board may include up to seven members who represent a range of community perspectives and professional experience. Board members serve in a leadership capacity to guide the district’s strategic direction, financial oversight, and partnership decisions.
Recent meeting notices and minutes reflect active participation by board members such as Dr. William A. Cefalu Jr., Angelena Brocato, Jackie Cheramie, William McCarty, Thane Aucoin, and Clarence Robinson Jr. These meetings typically include updates on district activities, approval of minutes from prior sessions, discussion of operational matters, and decisions related to long-term planning and governance.
Open Meetings and Public Involvement
Transparency and public involvement are important aspects of how Hospital Service District #2 operates. Regular board meetings are open to the public, with notices posted in advance that outline the time and location—often held at the Morgan City Harbor & Terminal District Building in Morgan City. These meetings allow residents to stay informed about district priorities, financial decisions, and health care initiatives that directly affect the community.
The open meeting format aligns with Louisiana’s public records and open meetings laws, ensuring that discussions about health care services and public resources take place in a transparent setting. This approach fosters trust between district leaders and the community members they serve, and allows for community feedback as the district plans for future health care needs.
A Commitment to Community Health
Overall, Hospital Service District #2 serves as a local steward of health care resources in East St. Mary Parish, advocating for quality care and sustainable services within Morgan City and neighboring areas. Through responsible governance, community-approved funding, and partnerships with health care providers, HSD #2 continues to strengthen the health care landscape for its residents—keeping care close to home and responsive to evolving needs.