On September 25, 2026, six members of the Minden Medical Center Board of Governors submitted their resignations from the Board. I, Dr. Melissa Madden, Chairman of the Board of Governors, am among those who have resigned.
This decision was not made lightly. Each of us has a deep commitment to Minden Medical Center, its patients, its employees, its medical staff, and the community we serve. However, we have reached a point where we do not believe we can continue to serve on the Board while also being placed in a position where our participation could be viewed as a stamp of approval for decisions made by the Allegiance corporate office.
Our concerns are specifically related to corporate-level financial and operational decisions and the impact those decisions are having on Minden Medical Center. We believe there must be transparency and accountability regarding the financial condition of the hospital, the obligations being incurred, and the resources that are available to provide care to the people of this community.
We want to make one point absolutely clear: Our concerns are not directed at the employees or local management team of Minden Medical Center.
The employees of Minden Medical Center have continued to provide excellent care to patients despite the financial strain and challenges they have experienced. Physicians, nurses, clinical staff, support personnel, and local management have continued to show dedication to their patients and to this community. We are deeply appreciative of their efforts.
Our decision to resign should therefore not be interpreted as criticism of the people working inside the hospital. Quite the opposite. We believe the employees deserve the resources, support, stability, and accountability necessary to allow them to continue providing the level of care that the people of Webster Parish deserve.
We also believe that the people of this community deserve transparency regarding the financial decisions affecting their local hospital.
Remaining on the Board while being unable to support or endorse those corporate-level decisions would not, in our view, be consistent with our responsibilities as Board members. We therefore believe that resigning is the appropriate course of action.
We hope these resignations will prompt meaningful examination of the financial and governance issues surrounding Allegiance Health Corporation and Minden Medical Center. Our ultimate concern is the future of the hospital and the ability of its dedicated employees and medical staff to continue providing quality healthcare to the community.
Dr. Melissa Madden, Chairman,
Ryan Barnett Vice Chair
Larry Gipson
Allen Mosley
Gray Kitchens
Bill Coleman
Minden Medical Center Board of Governors
Resigned September 25, 2026
Statement issued on behalf of the six members who resigned from the Minden Medical Center Board of Governors on September 25, 2026.
Melissa Madden
The resignation came on the heels of an anonymous email from an employee of MMC. See below: