Lafayette, La.-based Women's and Children's Hospital President and CEO Kathy J. Bobbs, 59, died April 21, of an apparent heart attack.
Ms. Bobbs served at the helm of the hospital since 2000. Prior to that, she worked at various Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare facilities in Arkansas and Louisiana. Women's and Children's Hospital is a part of the Kansas City, Mo.-based HCA MidAmerica Division.
"Kathy was passionate, inspirational and a very civic-minded individual. Her death is a profound loss to all that knew her and were impacted by the work she did," said M.L. Lagarde III, president of the HCA MidAmerica Division. "For her nearly 40-year career, most of which has been in healthcare administration, Kathy had a significant role in shaping healthcare as we know it today in Louisiana."
She was an American Hospital Association delegate, serving on the AHA Regional Policy Board. She was a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served on the Governor's Workforce Investment Council for nearly 10 years.
Ms. Bobbs was also involved in numerous volunteer organizations, serving on the boards of One Acadiana and the Woman's Foundation. She has also been a board member and former board chairperson at United Way of Acadiana.
Ms. Bobbs is survived by her husband, five children and 11 grandchildren.