Ruby Irvin Ward

The original concept of a local health center began with the Sicily Island Rotary Club in 1975 in response to an identified critical manpower shortage and noted health disparities in the area. The police jury created the hospital district to pass a local tax initiative to assist with financing the project, resulting in the establishment of the Catahoula Parish Hospital District #2. Actual construction began in July 1978 and was completed in 1979. Successfully recruiting allowed the district to have its very first physician and dentist in 25 years. A full-time staff was established in August of 1980 with medical and dental services to offer. By 1994, the Hospital District received several grant to build the current 10,000 square foot facility, along with five acres of property in Sicily Island. Under the leadership of Mrs. Emma Tarver, former CEO, CPHD#2 was able to make a progressive expansion of medical services with the addition of our Wisner, Ferriday and Jonesville clinics. CPHD#2 was also able to expand dental services with a mobile dentistry unit. Currently employing ten providers, we continue to embrace our original trademark, to provide quality, progressive, compassionate healthcare to anyone who enters our facility doors, regardless of race, sex, beliefs, or ability to pay.