Opelousas General Hospital Honors Five Longtime Legends

Legendary physicians, nurses, and lab techs recognized for over 30 years of compassionate healthcare service

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:03am

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An extreme close-up, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the intricate, glowing internal structure of a stethoscope against a dark background, conceptually representing the medical legacy of the Opelousas General Hospital legends.The ghostly, glowing X-ray of a stethoscope pays tribute to the decades of compassionate care provided by Opelousas General Hospital's legendary medical staff.Opelousas Today

Opelousas General Hospital (OGH) honored five former staff members who were remembered for their decades of dedicated and compassionate healthcare service at the hospital's annual gala event. The honorees included three longtime physicians - Dr. Whyte Owen III, Dr. Creighton Shute, and Dr. Richard Tate - as well as longtime lab technician Debbie Clary Deshotel and nurse Liler Florence, who was described as an 'angel in disguise' by her co-workers.

Why it matters

The honorees were recognized as integral parts of OGH's history and mission to provide excellent healthcare to the Opelousas community. Their stories highlight how the hospital has served as a community anchor for over 70 years, with staff who have gone above and beyond in caring for patients.

The details

The five honorees were celebrated for their long tenures and impactful contributions to OGH. Debbie Clary Deshotel, a 30-year lab technician, was praised for her strong work ethic and ability to 'dig in' during stressful situations. Nurse Liler Florence, who worked at OGH for over 40 years, was remembered for her selfless service both at the hospital and in the community. The three physicians - Drs. Owen, Shute, and Tate - were honored posthumously for their decades of dedicated care, with colleagues describing them as calm, reassuring, and highly respected in their fields.

  • Debbie Clary Deshotel and Liler Florence worked at OGH for over 30 years.
  • Drs. Owen, Shute, and Tate each had over 40-year careers at OGH.
  • The annual OGH gala event honoring the legends was held on April 17, 2026.

The players

Opelousas General Hospital

A community hospital that has served the Opelousas, Louisiana area for over 70 years.

Debbie Clary Deshotel

A 30-year lab technician at OGH who was praised for her strong work ethic and ability to 'dig in' during stressful situations.

Liler Florence

A nurse who worked at OGH for over 40 years, remembered for her selfless service both at the hospital and in the community.

Dr. Whyte Owen III

A physician who was part of OGH's original staff in the 1950s and served two terms as Chief of Staff.

Dr. Creighton Shute

A thoracic surgeon who was OGH Chief of Staff in 1957 and was highly regarded statewide.

Dr. Richard Tate

An internal medicine physician remembered for his gentle, calm, and reassuring presence during his 40-year career at OGH.

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What they’re saying

“Debbie really didn't play. She provided the lab with examples of strong work ethics and displayed an ability to 'dig in' when stressful situations occurred.”

— Jared Lormand, Former co-worker

“Liler Florence is a genuine person. She is the real deal.”

— Leon Gallow, Nurse practitioner

“Dr. Owen was there every day for me. He was so caring.”

— Betty Wolfe

“He loved taking care of his patients and he was known for his calm, reassuring and caring manner.”

— Stanford Owen, Son of Dr. Whyte Owen III

“He was highly regarded as a surgeon statewide.”

— Leslie Schiff, Attorney

The takeaway

The stories of these five OGH legends showcase the hospital's longstanding commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care in the Opelousas community. Their decades of dedicated service have left a lasting impact, inspiring future generations of healthcare workers.