?LOWER CAMERON
HOSPITAL SERVICE
DISTRICT BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES OF
PROCEEDINGS
The Board of Commissioners of Lower Cameron Hospital Service District met in Regular Session on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at the Cameron Parish Library, Cameron Branch, in Cameron, Louisiana. Members present were Chairman Stephanie Rodrigue, Shawn Bonsall, Tredale Boudreaux, Vice-Chairman Mary Canik, Kevin Dupke, Vickie Kiffe, Michelle Trahan. Secretary Michelle Vincent and Cameron Parish District Attorney Tom Barrett were in attendance. John Canik, Robert Doxey, Sr., Patricia Saltzman, Sherry Authement and Scott Trahan were guests in attendance.
Stephanie Rodrigue, Chairman, called the meeting to order.
Shawn Bonsall led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the prayer was led by Michelle Trahan.
Roll was called by Michelle Vincent, and a quorum was determined.
Kevin Dupke requested a point of privilege to directly challenge two commissioners’ eligibility to serve on the board, based on residential requirements. The Chairman deferred to Tom Barrett, General Counsel to the Lower Cameron Hospital Service District, who requested proof from Kevin Dupke. Proof was not provided, as requested. Kevin Dupke then left the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
The agenda was unanimously approved upon motion by Vickie Kiffe, seconded by Michelle Trahan.
In public comment, Robert Doxey, Sr., a landowner adjacent to the former site of South Cameron Memorial Hospital, stated that in the cleanup of the property immediately following Hurricane Laura in 2020, a truck ran over his sewer line; and Jeff Davis Electric Cooperative made ruts on his property while handling a transformer issue. He also questioned the height of the elevation of the temporary South Cameron Memorial Hospital Primary Care Clinic. Chairman Stephanie Rodrigue stated that she would have someone meet him at his property to discuss the sewerage line issue and respond to the question of elevation.
Patricia Salzman, a former employee of Stonebridge Health Systems and Manager of the Emergency Room at South Cameron Memorial Hospital, stated the need for a 24-hour hospital and gave specific examples of those instances where the Emergency Room was critical to saving lives.
Upon motion by Shawn Bonsall, seconded by Vickie Kiffe, the October 22, 2025, minutes were unanimously approved as amended to include Shawn Bonsall as present for the meeting.
At the request of Janie Doucet Frugé, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, to Cameron Parish District Attorney Tom Barrett, General Counsel to Lower Cameron Hospital Service District, Mr. Barrett presented information that Ms. Frugé contacted him to refute the multiple claims on social media that promoted West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital as a potential operator of South Cameron Memorial Hospital and Primary Care Clinic. She specifically noted that Kevin Dupke had requested a meeting with her, after being appointed to the Lower Cameron Hospital Service District, and he was told that West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital was not only not interested but also ineligible because the location is outside of the service district of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Despite this meeting, Kevin Dupke continued to promote West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital on social media posts and in meetings of the Lower Cameron Hospital Service District, as a preferred operator of South Cameron Memorial Hospital.
Upon motion by Shawn Bonsall, seconded by Mary Canik, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved authorizing Benjamin B. Gaines, Managing Partner, Health Law Specialist, Gachassin Law Firm, serving as Special Counsel to the Lower Cameron Hospital Service District, to draft a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Lake Charles Memorial Health System to operate South Cameron Memorial Hospital and, pending review by legal counsel, authorized Chairman Stephanie Rodrigue to execute the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement.
Upon motion by Vickie Kiffe, seconded by Tredale Boudreaux, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the ratification of recurring bills.
The Board of Commissioners receive financial reports and reviewed statements, as prepared by Julie Trahan, Treasurer, and presented by Michelle Vincent, Secretary. Upon motion by Michelle Trahan, seconded by Mary Canik, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved to receive the reports as presented.
In additional Public Comment, Scott Trahan commented on current Lower Cameron Hospital Service District finances, need for and mandates of a ten-bed Rural Emergency Hospital classification, ongoing use of the Primary Care Clinic, and the elevation of the temporary clinic.
Upon motion by Vickie Kiffe, seconded by Tredale Boudreaux, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved payment of the bills.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. upon motion by Shawn Bonsall, seconded by Tredale Boudreaux.
APPROVED BY: ___________________________Stephanie Rodrigue,
Chairman
ATTESTED BY:
___________________________Mary Canik, Vice Chairman
RUN: Mar. 26 (M 35)
Cost of Notice per run: $72.00