Governor Richard W. Leche appoints Mrs. Lallie Conner Kemp to the State Hospital Board.

On August 13, Florida Parishes Charity Hospital holds its groundbreaking ceremonies.

On August 15, Florida Parishes Charity Hospital opens in Independence, Louisiana, with Dr. Alfred L. Lewis of Amite, Louisiana, as its first administrator and medical director.

In November, Lallie Kemp dies.

Voters elect Nicholas Cefalu, Sr. as state representative for Tangipahoa Parish.

Cefalu turns the first spade of dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony that changes the name of the Florida Parishes Charity Hospital to the Lallie Kemp Memorial Hospital.

Lallie Kemp Memorial Hospital loses its accreditation.

Jonathan Roberts and Tom Landry appoint Dr. Charles Cefalu as medical director of the hospital.

In December, the professional services contract between Tulane Medical Center and the hospital is approved.

The hospital faces downsizing under Governor Buddy Roemer’s administration. The community rallies together and organizes a “Save Lallie Kemp” Committee.

On July 6, Lallie Kemp Medical Center holds a rededication ceremony in honor of its namesake.

LSU staffs the medical center with civil service, private sector and LSU physicians.