WE ARE OMEGA
Annette Boudreaux
Meet Annette Boudreaux, Omega’s all-star Surgical Technician and true Omega OG. Annette also helps in central sterile, which processes all instruments for surgery and ensures all implants and medical devices are clean, ready to go and 100% safe for surgical use.
“Ensuring quality patient care is at the forefront of Omega’s mission,” Annette says. “It is a non-negotiable aspect of our business and one that we never, not even for a minute, take lightly,” she adds. “I think our low patient infection rate speaks for itself and is certainly something patients should always make note of. Infections are unfortunately unavoidable in certain situations, but Omega is consistently and significantly lower than some other hospitals and I’m really proud of that,” she says.
Annette has been a surgical tech for over 35 years. In 2002, she was there front and center, watching firsthand as the hospital was being built from the ground up. “I’m so proud of how far we have come as a department and as a hospital. Watching the evolution of such a beautiful place and what it has transformed into today is truly so special to me,” Annette says.
When asking Annette what has kept her around for all these years, her answer was quick and simple. “It’s the people – the people make this place so unique. Everyone from the physicians to the nurses to the office staff and the executive board. Omega really is like a family and finding a hospital that runs like a small knit family is next to impossible,” she adds. “So, if you find that, you just don’t let it go.”
“Our hospital staff is truly genuine and personal, and they inadvertently make patients feel next-level comfortable. The patients literally don’t want to leave – how often do you hear hospital patients say they don’t want to go home?,” she says with a big smile. “I actually hear that a lot here at Omega and that is a big deal.”
Over the years, Annette has experienced her fair share of life’s ups and downs while employed at Omega, and credits Dr. Eric George, Omega’s Chairman of the Board and Medical Director, for being such a pivotal part in helping Annette recover from hardships, one being a vicious fight with breast cancer. “He always treated me with the utmost respect and made sure that I was always putting myself and my family first. That sensitive, unselfish mentality is pretty rare,” she says.
When Annette is not scrubbing as a surgical tech or helping out with central sterile at Omega, she loves to foster her festive side and admits she has a certified addiction to seasonal decorations. “If I have to be home, I’m going to make it festive,” she smiles. And even more important to her than Christmas lights & Easter bunnies is following her kids to Cajun Country in Lafayette. Her pride and joy are her 2 sons, 2 grandbabies and of course her husband. “They are and always will be my #1, but how blessed am I to say I have my family #2 waiting for me when I return to work,” she smiles.