![Lafayette Hospital Improves Since Takeover](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/10/UMC-sign-1-photo-courtesy-Ken-Romero-630x472.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lafayette Hospital Improves Since Takeover
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Officials say patients at Lafayette's University Hospital & Clinics are spending far less time waiting in the emergency room these days and are more satisfied with the care they receive.
Jared Stark, the chief executive officer, touted the hospital's turnaround since Lafayette General Health took over operations of the public hospital in June through a $15.8 million annual lease agreement with the state.
The Advocate reports the public hospital faced several budget cuts prior to the takeover, forcing the closure or reduction of services. In the past year, those services have been reopened or expanded in orthopedics, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology and medical detox.
Staff at the public hospital had also been reduced to about 500 before the takeover. Now, Stark says 700 are employed at UHC.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Two Iberia Parish Churches Among Dozens Leaving United Methodist Church Over LGBT Issues](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/11/attachment-First-UMC-New-Iberia.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Mom Escorted Out of Hospital Waiting Room for Breastfeeding](http://townsquare.media/site/157/files/2014/10/breastfeeding.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lafayette Medical Detox Unit Reopens](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/07/UMC-Building-1-photo-courtesy-Ken-Romero.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lafayette’s University Hospital Restoring Services](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/10/UMC-sign-1-photo-courtesy-Ken-Romero.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Questions Over Lafayette’s UMC And Other Privatization Plans](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/10/UMC-sign-1-photo-courtesy-Ken-Romero.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UMC Goes From Public To Private, Transgendered Students And Gender Identity – Wingin’ It Wednesday](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/10/UMC-sign-1-photo-courtesy-Ken-Romero.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![University Medical Center Changes To Become Effective June 24](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2013/06/David-Callecod-KPEL-photo.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New CEO For Lafayette’s UMC](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2013/05/Jared-Stark-picture-courtesy-of-LGMC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Mills And Ortego – State Hospital Budget Cuts Devasting](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/10/UMC-sign-1-photo-courtesy-Ken-Romero.jpg?w=980&q=75)