Savoy Medical Center unveils Fookes as its new president

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

CHRISTUS Health Central Louisiana has named Sherman Fookes president of Savoy Medical Center in Mamou effective immediately.
“Sherman has a proven track record of success across a variety of different areas of responsibility and was a natural choice for his new position,” said Nancy Hellyer, CEO of CHRISTUS Health Central Louisiana and CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Hospital.
Fookes is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology. He joined CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini as manager of the Louisiana Athletic Club in 2006. In 2009, Fookes accepted the position of human resources director and was instrumental in numerous initiatives during a time of transition across the human resources department.
In July 2010, his responsibilities expanded to include compensation oversight for CHRISTUS Health Central Louisiana. In June 2011, Fookes was named the health and wellness director for CHRISTUS Health Central Louisiana and his responsibilities included oversight and growth of four health and wellness facilities, programs and partnerships throughout the state. One of those being the state-funded Incarnate Word Community Clinic, which was one of several clinics established to aid in the transition of former Huey P. Long patients.
Fookes was named interim president of Savoy Medical Center in 2014 and was instrumental in the partnership arrangements between the City of Mamou and CHRISTUS Health Central Louisiana.
He said, “I am excited about this new opportunity and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the wonderful people of Mamou and the surrounding towns during this interim time. This is a very exciting time for health care in this region and I’m looking forward to collaborating with our local physicians to ensure we provide much-needed services to this area.” He added, “The town officials of Mamou have been very supportive and welcoming throughout the process of bringing the CHRISTUS brand to Savoy Medical Center. The hospital will retain its name as Savoy Medical Center, but will be made stronger through this co-branding with CHRISTUS.”
Mamou Mayor Ricky Fontenot is also excited about this new partnership, saying, “Sherman has shown his ability to do a good job, and this partnership will bring much-needed stability to the employees and patients of Savoy Medical Center throughout the town of Mamou and the surrounding areas.”