For most of human history, we’ve looked to our political leaders to bring about change. We can go all the way back to Cesar, Napoleon, Churchill, and Lincoln.

Since the industrial revolution, we’ve been able to add the names of business leaders who have radically changed our world. Henry Ford. Sam Walton. Steve Jobs. Currently, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are changing everything from groceries to space travel.

On a smaller scale, here in Acadiana, individuals in business are having an impact on our lives.

Cian Robinson, originally from New Jersey, moved to Lafayette because his wife, Dr Nathalie Harder, was appointed Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College. Cian had a background in business development and landed a job here in Lafayette as Executive Director of the Lafayette General Foundation. Cian’s current position at Lafayette General Health System is Executive Director of Innovation, Research, and Real Estate Investments.

Dr Ryan Cazares comes from Scott Louisiana. Ryan graduated from the University of Houston in 2011. Instead of joining an existing medical clinic, he came home to Scott, and in 2013 founded Scott Eye Care. 

Ryan is the only eye doctor who’s ever had a clinic in Scott. In business, being the first-and-only can go one of two ways. Either you find out there’s a good reason there are no businesses like yours. Or, it’s just what everybody has been waiting for. Luckily for Ryan, Scott Eye Care has turned out to be the latter. So many people in the medically under-served populations in Rayne, Crowley and Church Point make the trek to Scott that Scott Eye Care now has two doctors and is looking to expand.

Aileen Bennett knows more about the provision of healthcare in Acadiana than she might like. Her depth of knowledge pays off in this frank discussion about the health of our local and national healthcare system. 

Photos at Marcello’s wine Market Cafe by Lucius Fontenot.