When the sun rose Friday, they were rank-and-file security officers. By the time they left for the day, however, Anthony Fortier, David Reed, Tirrell Washington and Eric Wiggins of the St. Tammany Health System Security Department all had new titles – and new stripes on their uniform shirts.
All four were promoted to the rank of sergeant Friday morning (July 31) in a formal ceremony held by the STHS Security Department.
“I can’t stress enough how good a family we have here,” Security Director Kenny Norris said in his introductory remarks. “The Administration supports us, and you guys support everything the hospital throws at you. You’ve done it for years.”
From there, Capt. Malcolm Bates announced each new sergeant, with Lt. Terrel Poullard reading their official charges out loud to those gathered.
“You’re not a leader because of what happens here today,” Bates said. “You’re a leader because of the respect you get from your peers, your co-workers and your subordinates.”
Friday’s round of promotions was the second in as many weeks for the STHS Security Department. On July 17, Brent Borgstede and Poullard were both promoted to the rank of lieutenant in a similarly formal ceremony.
Both sets of promotions are part of a larger departmental reorganization that will next see the addition of three new officers to the hospital’s security ranks.