Rapides Regional Medical Center

08/26/2026

Like everyone else, we mourn the loss of American icon Dolly Parton, but we also remember one of her favorite legacies - inspiring a love of reading. In 2024, we partnered with one our owners, The Rapides Foundation, to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to Rapides Parish. This program provides free, high-quality and age-appropriate books each month for children ages 0 to 5 years old.

Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, the program spans five countries and gifts more than 3 million free books each month to children, regardless of the family’s income. Since its beginning, more than 250 million free books have been distributed.

“Before he passed away, my daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done,” said Dolly. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my daddy. Inspiring kids to read became my passion and my mission. If you can read, you can teach yourself anything.”

If you live in Rapides Parish, visit https://bit.ly/3UEPVxo to register. Parents who live outside Rapides Parish may also use the website to check eligibility through their parish of residence.

08/24/2026

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!🎉🔬

Congratulations to our amazing Laboratory’s colleagues who recently became reaccredited by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) and College of American Pathology (CAP). The Lab undergoes these reviews every two years to ensure the highest standards are met, and we salute everyone in the Lab who made this achievement possible.

Congrats!!!

08/21/2026

We are excited to announce we will unveil our Community Heart on Monday, Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. outside the main entrance to Rapides Regional Medical Center.

Our heart was designed by Pineville artist Tammy Hromadka.

“My vision for the piece was the place Rapides Regional Medical Center holds in the lives of the people of Central Louisiana, from its humble beginnings, through the impressive credentials of its present form and into the future of medical science and patient care,” said Hromadka.

Hromadka’s design plays off our distinct Sun and River logo. The sun signifies beginning and end, while the river signifies life and acknowledges Rapides Regional Medical Center’s neighbor, the Red River.

The public is invited to join us as at the unveiling of the area’s newest heart as part of the Explore Alexandria Pineville Community Heart Project.

08/20/2026

Summer fun can heat up fast. ☀

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke? Knowing the difference could help you recognize the warnings signs and act before a heat-related illness becomes an emergency.

Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, what to do if someone is overheating and simple ways to stay safer in extreme heat: https://bit.ly/4guDVWO

🚨 If someone has severe symptoms — such as loss of consciousness or slurred speech — call 911 right away.

08/18/2026

Our amazing food drive crew did it again with a fabulous Lady Liberty sculpture for this year's entry in our division's Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows food drive. The entry, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit to End Hunger," finished in a tie for third place, earning the Food Bank of Central Louisiana a cash donation of $3,000. In all, 3,517 pounds of food and cereal was donated to the food bank to help fight hunger in our area.
Last year's entry, Hunger is No Day at the Beach, placed first in our division and second-place overall in the company.

08/12/2026

After 29 years of faithful service, we are celebrating the retirement of Wayne Sibley, Director of Pastoral Care! 🎉

Chaplain Sibley has been a steady source of comfort, compassion and prayer for countless patients, families, physicians and colleagues. For nearly three decades, he has quietly and faithfully served as a powerful resource to our hospital and community—walking alongside families through some of life’s most difficult moments, as well as some of its most beautiful.

Wayne also provided leadership to our Auxiliary program and the incredible volunteers who give their time and talents to support our hospital. His presence has touched so many lives, and we are deeply grateful for his dedication, leadership and commitment to serving others.

Congratulations on a well-earned retirement, Wayne! 👏 Thank you for 29 years of service and for the lasting impact you have made on our patients, colleagues and community. We wish you every happiness and all the best in this exciting next chapter! ❤️

08/12/2026

Not sure when to go to the emergency room? Some symptoms are warning signs that mean it’s time to seek emergency care right away.

🚨 Learn the emergency symptoms you should never ignore: https://bit.ly/4i5gQw1

🏥 Know where to find emergency care if you need it: https://bit.ly/4xv2k5c

08/07/2026

Students in Rapides Parish went back to school today. The return to the classroom also can mean the return of sniffles, coughs and other minor illnesses. Theresa Hood, director of Community Education, explains what parents should watch for in deciding if their child needs more than rest at home.
Here is wishing all students, teachers, staff and administrators a great, safe and healthy 2026-2027 school year!

Health experts say soap and water — not just hand sanitizer — is the best defense as kids head back to class.

08/05/2026

Rapides Regional Medical Center is holding a FREE educational program for adults with newly diagnosed diabetes and for those needed a refresher course in diabetes management. The class is Thursday night, Aug. 6, from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. in the Cascade Room at Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital.
This is a basic diabetes program; therefore, no physician referral is required. The program content follows American Diabetes Association guidelines. Topics include learning to deal with a chronic disease, monitoring blood sugar, complications and medications.
To register, or for more information, please click here: https://bit.ly/4pYRzFF

07/31/2026

It's going to be a hot one this weekend.🔥🚒

Learn from Emergency Medical Director, Brent Arnold, M.D., the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

A doctor explains how to tell heat exhaustion from a deadly heat stroke — and why waiting could cost a life.