For Lyle Prejean, BSN, RN, director of emergency services for Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, nursing has always been more than a career. It’s a calling rooted in family, service and compassion.
Lyle traces his journey back to his grandparents. When his grandfather had a stroke, Lyle stepped in to help.
“For several months I slept at my grandparents’ house and helped my grandmother take care of him,” he recalls.
His mother, who worked as a CNA caring for the elderly, also shaped his view of service.
“She showed me the nurturing side of life,” Lyle says. “I was captain of the football team, but I have a big teddy bear heart.”
Finding His Calling
Lyle began his career as a nurse tech at the original Our Lady of Lourdes campus. Early on, his workn the ER shifted his perspective.
“At the time I thought being an orderly was a guy’s job, but a nurse was a woman’s job,” he says. “Then I looked around and saw five male nurses working in the ER. That was pivotal. It showed me men have a place in nursing.”
From that moment, he dug in — pursuing leadership roles, mentorship opportunities and national nursing groups to help shape the profession.
Leadership Through Coaching
Over more than 25 years in healthcare, Lyle has served as a charge nurse, unit supervisor, chief nursing officer and now director of emergency services. Ultimately, he sees himself not just as a leader, but as a coach.
“I have 118 direct reports, and I tell them: we work hard, maintain a positive attitude and always be prepared,” he says. “That’s how we’ll be successful.”
Lyle’s leadership philosophy blends lessons from sports, family and faith with an emphasis on teamwork and resilience.
Faith as a Compass
Lyle’s journey has not been without challenges, from his wife’s cancer diagnosis to his own health scares. Each time, prayer and faith pointed him back to Our Lady of Lourdes.
One moment in particular still stands out when he made the decision to pursue the leadership opportunity with our ministry.
“I’ll never forget pulling an old Lourdes T-shirt out of a closet,” Lyle says. “On it were the words: ‘Making a difference in the lives of those you serve.’ That was my sign to say yes.”
That simple reminder reinforced his purpose and guided his decision.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Today, Lyle is passionate about showing young men that nursing is a viable career option. As part of the health system’s Men in Healthcare CommUNITY group, he works to break stereotypes and open doors.
“A lot of young men don’t realize this path is open to them,” he says. “I’ve recruited guys who worked in tire shops or cut grass, and today they’re nursing students. It’s about giving people confidence and opportunity.”
A Lasting Impact
For Lyle, the most meaningful moments are the lives touched, whether saving a colleague through CPR, comforting families in crisis or guiding team members through personal struggles.
“I thank my grandmother and my mom,” Lyle says. “They showed me that caring for people isn’t just a job. It’s a gift.”
Supporting Diversity and Connection
At Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment is vital for team members. Team member groups, like the Men in Healthcare CommUNITY group, create spaces for connection and understanding. Additional groups are being established as volunteers come forward to lead, ensuring all voices and perspectives have a place at the table.
Learn more about our ministry’s commitment to inclusion and belonging.
