LAFAYETTE, La. – Women’s & Children’s made the following announcement about Bobbs’ passing: 

It is with great sadness that we announce Kathy Bobbs, president and chief executive officer for Women’s & Children’s Hospital, as well as our mentor and friend, passed away from an apparent heart attack on Saturday, April 21. She was 59.

The entire Women’s & Children’s Hospital family, including the Board of Directors, physicians, staff and volunteers, extends deepest sympathies to Kathy’s husband, Ken, five children and 11 grandchildren.

“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 HCA MidAmerica Division, a division of HCA Healthcare and owner of Women’s & Children’s Hospital. “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.

“Having worked alongside her for many of those years as a colleague and a friend, I know firsthand of her steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of not only our patients, but the community as a whole. Likewise, we remain committed to ensuring her spirit of service and compassion continues. Our deepest condolences to Kathy’s family. We will miss her greatly.”

“Kathy was such a giving, caring, hard-working person who dedicated so much of herself to the hospital and the community,” said Louis Perret, Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court and Women’s & Children’s Hospital board of directors chair. “This is such a tremendous loss to families in Acadiana and across Louisiana. And, this is such a great loss to me, personally, having worked so closely with her for so many years. At this time, we will mourn as a hospital family along with her husband, children and grandchildren. Together, we will ensure her legacy of service in the community and her legacy of healing at Women’s & Children’s Hospital will live on for years to come.”

Kathy attended the University of Arkansas, where she earned degrees in Nursing and Psychology and a master’s degree in Health Services Administration. Prior to joining Women’s & Children’s, Kathy worked at various HCA facilities in Arkansas and Louisiana. 

Kathy possessed a fierce passion for the health and wellness of Louisiana families that defined most of her extensive career with HCA, the parent company of Women’s & Children’s Hospital, and Women’s & Children’s, where she served as chief executive officer for the last 18 years.

She served as a delegate for the American Hospital Association, most currently serving on its Regional Policy Board. She was a board member for the Louisiana Hospital Association and served as chairperson in 2013. Kathy also was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and served since 2008 on the Governor’s Workforce Investment Council representing healthcare for the State of Louisiana.

In 2006, Kathy was recognized as one of the Top 10 Women in Lafayette. The following year, The Independent selected Kathy as one of its Women Who Mean Business. And in May, the Junior Achievement of Acadiana Business Hall of Fame is set to honor Kathy as its Business Person of the Year.

A longtime community volunteer, Kathy most recently served on the boards of One Acadiana, Home Bancorp and the Woman’s Foundation. She previously served as a United Way of Acadiana board member from 2003 to 2011, including a term as chairperson in 2007. And, Kathy was a 2011 graduate of Leadership Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Kathy’s memory to Kites Above Acadiana Kids Fund through the Community Foundation of Acadiana at CFAcadiana.org/Contribute. Kites Above Acadiana Kids Fund at Community Foundation of Acadiana impacts hospitalized children and their families in a meaningful way through a variety of initiatives such as play, education and housing, an initiative which was close to Kathy’s heart.

Martin & Castille Funeral Home Southside location, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of arrangements.