A Message to Our Community
Our Commitment to Transparency
West Ascension Parish Hospital is committed to transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of our community's healthcare resources.
The audit for the period ending August 31, 2025, identified 11 findings involving financial, operational, and compliance practices. This page explains each finding and the corrective actions being taken.
Leadership Response
Since assuming the role of CEO, Shelton Anthony has worked to address longstanding operational challenges, strengthen accountability, and implement the improvements necessary to move the organization forward.
Many of the issues currently being discussed originated before his tenure, and his focus has been on correcting those inherited challenges rather than assigning blame for them. Under his leadership, the organization has taken deliberate steps toward greater stability, transparency, and responsible management.
West Ascension Parish Hospital remains committed to openly addressing concerns, making necessary improvements, and earning the continued trust of the patients, employees, and communities we serve. For us, transparency means more than identifying areas that need attention. It means using those findings to strengthen our processes, improve our internal controls, and build an even stronger organization for the future.
To Our Media Partners
West Ascension Parish Hospital believes in open and honest dialogue with members of the media and the public. We welcome responsible questions and are committed to providing accurate, timely information whenever possible.
We ask that reporting on the audit reflect the full context of the findings, the period reviewed, and the corrective actions now underway. Our goal is to ensure the community receives clear, factual information about both the challenges identified and the progress being made.
Transition & Governance
These findings cover the period ending August 31, 2025, reflecting legacy operational practices. As new administration, full responsibility is accepted to correct every deficiency with total transparency.
View the 11 Audit FindingsFinancial Integrity
An independent CPA firm was engaged to overhaul month-end procedures and rebuild financial reporting controls. This work includes clearer review procedures, stronger documentation, and consistent oversight to improve accuracy and accountability.
Legal Compliance
Policies have been overhauled to align strictly with Louisiana Constitutional limits and state procurement statutes. Staff guidance, approval requirements, and documentation standards are being strengthened so future decisions are reviewed and recorded in accordance with applicable law.
Audit Action Plan
Taking the findings seriously
Our community deserves to know what was identified and what we are doing about it. The detailed responses below outline our approach to addressing the identified areas and strengthening our organizational processes.
Detailed Responses
Responses to the 11 Audit Findings
Select a finding to review what happened, the corrective response, and the public takeaway.
The July 14, 2026 Special Board Meeting minutes document the Board of Commissioners' approval of the Audit Corrective Action Plan and the related resolutions and policies referenced below.
Executive Summary1 document
Board Review and Public Context
Overview of the FY 2025 Audit Findings
The Board of Commissioners convened a Special Board Meeting on August 6, 2026, specifically to review the FY 2025 audit findings. During that meeting, management presented corrective actions, supporting documentation, and proposed responses for each finding. The Board thoroughly reviewed and formally approved the management responses and remediation plans presented.
Important considerations
- Finding 2025-003 (Former CEO Payment Issue) relates to an ACH payment of $80,460 that was issued in January 2024 by former CFO Nobie Landry and Interim CEO Jessica Canning and pertains to activity from the prior fiscal year.
- Finding 2025-002 (Public Bid Law Compliance) also pertains to activities originating in a prior fiscal period.
- Finding 2025-007 (Bank Pledged Securities) has been fully resolved.
- Finding 2025-008 (Real Estate Purchase Over Appraised Value) has been fully resolved.
- Finding 2025-009 (Public Records Law Compliance) has been fully resolved.
- Finding 2025-010 (Open Meetings Law Compliance) has been fully resolved.
- Finding 2025-011 (Dual Employment Disclosure Compliance) has been fully resolved.
- Finding 2025-001 (Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) is related to financial statement reporting responsibilities and audit procedures performed by the Hospital's independent external CPA firm.
- Finding 2025-005 (Community Donations) includes approximately $140,000 in support provided to the Love Impact Free Health Clinic, which delivered free medical, dental, and vision services to more than 445 community participants, advancing the Hospital's mission of improving access to healthcare services in our rural community.
The attached Executive Summary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of each finding, the Board-approved management response, current resolution status, and the broader public context surrounding the matters identified in the audit.
Respectfully,
Shelton B. Anthony, MBA/MHA, RHCEOC Chief Executive Officer Division of AdministrationBoard Approval Record2 documents
Policy Documents9 documents
Audit Supporting Documents11 documents
2025-001Internal Control over Financial Reporting
What Happened
Accounting entries for assets, depreciation, and allowances required adjustments at year-end, and certain suspense accounts lacked subledgers.
Our Response
An outside CPA firm was hired to establish a standardized Month-End Closing Checklist and reconcile all balance sheet accounts monthly.
Public Takeaway
Financial reporting is being modernized so board oversight relies on verified, real-time data.
2025-002Public Bid Law Compliance
What Happened
A hospital renovation contract exceeded state public bidding thresholds without being advertised for formal bids.
Our Response
The procurement policy was updated to tie internal spending limits directly to La. R.S. 38:2211. Legal counsel must now review and sign off on all major contracts prior to execution.
Public Takeaway
Every future capital project will undergo strict public bidding and legal review.
2025-003Former CEO Accrued Vacation Payment
What Happened
A final payout of $80,460 was made to the former CEO in 2024 without supporting documentation or board approval, exceeding policy limits.
Our Response
An inquiry was initiated to request documentation or full reimbursement of the unverified funds. An offboarding protocol was implemented requiring third-party audit verification for executive separation checks.
Public Takeaway
Unauthorized payouts will not be tolerated.
2025-004Late Audit Filing
What Happened
The audit was submitted past the 6-month state statutory deadline due to accounting turnover.
Our Response
Financial workflows were restructured to target audit completion 45 days ahead of state deadlines.
Public Takeaway
Accounting staffing has been stabilized to meet all state reporting deadlines moving forward.
2025-005Community Sponsorships & Outreach
What Actually Happened
The vast majority of this total, $140,000, funded two direct community health initiatives: supporting the Love Impact Coalition Free Clinic and renovating the Donaldsonville community basketball court.
Love Impact Free Clinic
Over 400 local residents received free dental, vision, and medical services. For example, one resident was able to get a critical tooth extraction they otherwise could never have afforded.
Donaldsonville Youth Recreation
The local basketball court was renovated to give area youth a safe, structured environment for physical exercise and healthy activity.
The Legal Technicality
Under Article VII, Section 14 of the Louisiana Constitution, public entities cannot simply write a check or make a donation. Every dollar spent must have a formal, written contract called a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement, or CEA, that explicitly measures and documents the exact financial and healthcare value returned to the public.
Our Response & Corrective Action
The intent behind these expenditures was focused on community health, but the formal legal paperwork was a professional services agreement instead of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. We have halted all direct donations. Moving forward, every community partnership or health initiative will operate under a strict, legally binding CEA. This guarantees that every dollar spent is fully backed by documented, measurable healthcare value for the residents of West Ascension Parish.
Public Takeaway
The money went directly to helping people by providing free healthcare to 400 neighbors and giving our kids a safe place to play. The audit caught an administrative paperwork failure under state law, not a misuse of purpose. We have fixed the process so our community continues to get these vital health benefits with total legal compliance.
Attached Records
Supporting Documents
This report summarizes the 2025 Love Impact Coalition Free Clinic, including the services provided, patient participation, volunteer support, and community impact.
2025-006Unauthorized Employee Bonuses
What Happened
Discretionary payments totaling $65,850 were distributed without a board-approved incentive policy or contract.
Our Response
All unapproved bonus payments were halted immediately. Compensation is now strictly limited to board-approved, prospective structures compliant with state law.
Public Takeaway
Discretionary bonuses have ended; compensation is strictly tied to legal employment guidelines.
2025-007Bank Pledged Collateral Deficiency
What Happened
Bank deposits briefly exceeded FDIC insurance and pledged collateral by $39,819.
Our Response
Monthly collateral tracking was instituted to ensure financial institutions maintain 100% security coverage for all uninsured deposits.
Public Takeaway
Hospital cash deposits are fully monitored and secured.
2025-008Real Estate Purchase Over Appraised Value
What Happened
Property appraised at $296,000 was purchased for $319,550.
Our Response
Policies were established prohibiting any property purchase above certified appraisal limits.
Public Takeaway
Future land acquisitions will strictly adhere to state appraisal caps.
Attached Records
Supporting Documents
These records document the hospital's authorization process for the property purchase and confirm the financial authority and incumbent officers involved.
2025-009Public Records Law Compliance
What Happened
Public records requests faced delays or lacked formal responses.
Our Response
A designated Public Records Custodian was appointed, and a tracking protocol was established to guarantee statutory compliance.
Public Takeaway
Public records access is streamlined, logged, and compliant with state timelines.
2025-010Open Meetings Law (Executive Session)
What Happened
Executive sessions discussing litigation omitted specific court case numbers on public agendas.
Our Response
Meeting agenda protocols were updated to ensure all litigation discussions list the formal lawsuit title, case number, and court jurisdiction.
Public Takeaway
Board meetings adhere fully to statutory notice and transparency requirements.
2025-011Dual Employment Law Review
What Happened
An employee held two full-time positions across public entities.
Our Response
Legal counsel was engaged to review the arrangement, and annual employee disclosures were mandated to prevent statutory dual-employment conflicts.
Public Takeaway
Public employment structures are audited to ensure full legal compliance.
These audit findings represent the past, but our Corrective Action Plan represents our future. We are putting every safeguard in place to ensure complete transparency, fiscal discipline, and accountability to the people of Ascension Parish.
In the News
Recent Media Coverage
Read recent reporting about West Ascension Parish Hospital and its response to questions surrounding a former CEO payment.
Donaldsonville Chief
West Ascension Parish Hospital reviewing payment to former CEO
Read the ArticleWest Ascension Parish Hospital