WHILE DR. CRAIG Greene’s career accomplishments run deep, his commitment to giving back and living life with a purpose touches his patients, his family and the larger community. 

With a robust orthopaedic practice and as chief of surgery at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, the board-certified orthopaedic surgeon still believes he and his family have a larger calling and opportunity to give back to others.

One of these efforts includes The Greene Team Charitable Fund, which provides free health care and humanitarian aid to disaster areas throughout the world. Dr. Greene worked with Serta on specially designed mattresses and pillows, with proceeds supporting the charity. Recently the nonprofit funded a medical team to Nepal following that country’s devastating earthquake. 

Dr. Greene says that many times he has patients who need treatment, yet can’t afford the medical bills.

“We take care of people who can’t pay us back. We want them to pay it forward,” he says.

He and his wife Kristen are instilling this charitable mindset into their four children. 

She holds a master’s degree in physical therapy and has been volunteering for the Capital Area Special Olympics. In the fall she will begin working at St. Lillian’s Academy offering onsite physical therapy. 

CAPITAL AREA SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Kristen Greene has a heart to help others, so she is a board member and the area sports coordinator for the Capital Area division of the Special Olympics. 

The organization aims to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

While the Special Olympics in Louisiana began almost 50 years ago with 11 athletes, it now serves more than 14,000 children and adults across the state. 

“I have always been drawn to adults and kids with special needs,” Kristen says. “Special Olympics sends the message that people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed when given the opportunity.” 

Greene says that the area chapter of Special Olympics is tasked with raising their own money. “There is no national organization that helps us with funding. We have our own budget and raise our own money,” she says. 

So it is the generosity and support of corporations, individuals, civic groups and foundations that helps the statewide organization reach its fundraising goal of $2.8 million per year. 

“It is nice to see when the local community gets behind the local chapter. We serve about 1,300 athletes in our area, which is great. But unfortunately there are more than 124,000 people with intellectual disabilities in our state who for whatever reason do not participate.”

“There are a lot more kids and adults we can reach,” Greene says. “Through Special Olympics they feel included. You can watch their pride and their joy. It is a fabulous organization.”

Greene says she would like to see more involvement with the local chapter. “It would be nice to see more businesses support us.” 

ST. LILLIAN ACADEMY
“My heart is moved towards serving whatever need is there,” Greene says about her work at nonprofit St. Lillian Academy, which offers early-learning programs along with a full-time academy.

Greene is returning to her career of physical therapy, but she “wants to do it in a way that prioritizes meaning and purpose.”

St. Lillian empowers students with learning disabilities to define and to achieve success throughout their lives. The school serves children with communication disorders or attention and focus issues. The students can participate in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

“We’re bringing therapy to where they are at school,” Greene says. “The parents don’t have to pick up the kids and bring them to therapy. It is all there onsite.” 

St. Lillian helps students who have learning difficulties overcome many of the barriers they can face with education. The school offers an array of support services for the children and their families.

“It is so wonderful what St. Lillian is doing. The school was founded by parents and therapists who saw the desperate need for high-quality educational programs for children who learn differently,” she says.

The school’s success is due to the curriculum design, instruction and therapeutic support created for the individualized needs, differences and ability of each child. St. Lillian’s innovative approach promotes student confidence while preparing them for a productive and interactive life.

The nonprofit academy appreciates help from volunteers and uses donations to fund its educational services and offer scholarships to kids in need. 

MISSION MINDSET
The Greene’s philanthropic focus and support of nonprofits includes efforts close to home and abroad. 

Dr. Greene goes on a mission trip each year. “The need is far greater than what I am capable of,” he says. “In Africa, we did 30 surgeries. I could have done more.” 

He has also traveled to Haiti and Colombia, and has plans to visit Honduras this year along with his eldest daughter. 

“What is neat is that my daughter asked, ‘Can I go with you on one of these?’” he says. 

Kristen adds, “We’re trying to show our kids to have compassion and humility to others. It’s eye opening to see how other kids live, their living conditions and medical conditions. We want them to see a bigger world.” 

Dr. Greene boils it down to some simple advice for his children. “I tell them, ‘No mater what you do, you’ll make a living; I want you to make a difference.’”  

For more information on getting involved or to donate:

St. Lillian Academy, (225) 771-8173

Capital Area Special Olympics, (225) 963-9028

Dr. Craig Greene  |  http://www.laso.org  |  http://www.stlillian.org

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