TGMC chair given top trustee award

Terrebonne General Medical Center Board Chairman Michael “Mike” Voisin has been recognized as the 2011 Trustee of the Year in the Large Hospital category by Modern Healthcare magazine.

“For the past 13 years, Mike has navigated TGMC through hurricanes, CEO changes, standoffs with insurance companies, major construction and expansion and, more recently, an oil and gas platform explosion in the Gulf,” TGMC President and CEO Phyllis Peoples said. “We owe much of our financial strength and resilience to Mike’s transformational leadership,” Peoples continued. “We are delighted to see him celebrated in this way.”

Voisin joined the TGMC Board of Commissioners in 1997, serving as Vice Chairman (1998-2002) and Chairman (2002-04) and 2009 to present.

When he completes his current term as president of the Board of Trustees later this year, Voisin will have presided over immense changes to the hospital campus and services that leave TGMC fiscally vibrant and poised to face the challenges of healthcare reform.

Voisin has worked to bring world-class cardiology and oncology services to Southeast Louisiana. With memories of his father’s bout with cancer at the forefront, Voisin will have achieved his vision of building the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC before he leaves office.

He forged a partnership with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South that culminated in development of a Heart and Vascular Center that is a world leader in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. In addition, during his tenure as a board member, an 85,000 square foot Women’s Center, which includes obstetrics, gynecology, and breast imaging, was built to serve a community that historically produces over 2,000 births annually.

Other areas of growth during his term at TGMC include rehab, cardiovascular surgery and orthopedics – all of which are significant product lines for the hospital.

“What makes TGMC different? What sets us apart from the next hospital?” Peoples asked. “I will tell you that Mike Voisin is a major factor in what makes us different. His wisdom, vision, intuition and gentle leadership have to come to be a part of our culture.”

Voisin is CEO of Motavatit Seafood, one of the nation’s largest oyster processors. He is a highly visible leader at the national level and the conscience of Louisiana’s stricken seafood industry.

“I’m humbled. I wasn’t aware of my nomination. It is an honor for the hospital,” Voisin said. “We have a fabulous organization and it is humbling to be considered by a substantial national publication as top trustee of the year. I don’t do it for the recognition [but] I am glad the community is getting the recognition.”