On Saturday, July 25, the Hilman House, along with surrounding grounds was donated to Community Renewal International during an official ceremony. The Hilman House was named in honor of Dr. Bettina Hilman, Shreveport Cystic Fibrosis specialist.
When Shreveport became the place for North Louisiana Cystic Fibrosis patients to receive treatments from one of the nation’s leading Cystic Fibrosis specialists, Dr. Bettina Hilman, families would have no place to stay. With the costs of travel and hospital visits being high, families would sleep in the hospital hallways while their loved ones received treatment. In 1986, five families of Cystic Fibrosis patients founded the Hilman House, with additional funds that were matched by the Community Foundation. It even served as a hospital if patients did not have insurance. Dr. Hilman would visit and administer their treatments while they stayed at the Hilman House. The Hilman House served over 110 families of Cystic Fibrosis patients during the 30 years of operation and service to the community.
The Guillory family was one of the many families impacted by the services of the Hilman House. When their daughter, Ann-Marie, was unable to walk up the stairs to get to the living quarters, she would have to be carried. The Guillory family, with help of countless donations, raised money to build a cottage behind the Hilman House where patients that needed handicap accessible arrangements could stay. Under Community Renewal’s ownership, the cottage will remain open to any families traveling to the area for Cystic Fibrosis treatment.
When considering the future of the Hilman House, those left in possession of 644 Herndon Street decided to donate the home and land to an organization that would continue the caring legacy of Dr. Hilman and the building that those 110 families considered a home.
To learn more about the Hilman House’s history: Hilman House History
