New Radiation Oncology Center To Be Constructed at Lane

Zachary, LA. — Lane Regional Medical Center and Baton Rouge General announced today a joint venture to build a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art Radiation Oncology Center, located on Lane’s campus in Zachary, LA.

Bringing together a team of cancer treatment experts, physicians and business leaders, the two organizations are committed to expanding leading-edge radiation cancer treatment services and technology to benefit the people in our region.  

Radiation oncology is defined as the use of high energy radiation to control, shrink or kill cancerous cells, and is often used as a curative or controlling treatment, usually in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. The American Cancer Society estimates about 23,480 new cancer diagnoses in Louisiana this year, with prostate, lung, female breast, and colo-rectal among the most common. The CDC notes that about 50% of all cancer patients receive some type of radiation therapy during the course of their treatment. 

Lane Regional Medical Center CEO Randy Olson comments,

“We are honored to bring the life-saving services of radiation oncology therapy to the region. Those battling cancer in our area will no longer have to travel elsewhere to receive treatment because we will have a nationally recognized cancer program right here in Zachary.  This partnership symbolizes our continued long-term investment to the communities we serve.”

Baton Rouge General President and CEO Bill Holman notes,

“Recognized as the region’s first nationally accredited comprehensive cancer center, Baton Rouge General is proud to partner with Lane to expand our programs and services for the good of Zachary patients and families.  Our shared mission is to continuously address the needs of our communities, and our approach is defined by a spirit of teamwork, innovation and fiscal responsibility.”

Groundbreaking of the new facility is expected in late Fall 2012 with a 12-month construction schedule. 

About Baton Rouge General’s Cancer Program

Baton Rouge General's cancer center was approved by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program in 1989 and was the first cancer program in the region to attain approval. The program has maintained continuous approval subsequently. Baton Rouge General's Pennington Cancer Center was most recently re-approved in March 2011 and again achieved full three-year approval with all eight possible commendations. In addition, the Center's Radiation Oncology Department is accredited by the American College of Radiology and most recently received re-accreditation in 2012. In 2009, Baton Rouge General was the first accredited Breast Cancer Program in Louisiana by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. This accreditation assures Baton Rouge General patients benefit from:

·                  A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best care treatment options

·                  Access to breast cancer information, education and support services

·                  Breast cancer data collection on quality indicators for all specialties involved in breast cancer care

·                  Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care

·                  Participation in clinical trials evaluating new breast cancer treatment options.

For more information, visit www.BRGeneral.org

About Lane Regional Medical Center

Lane Regional Medical Center is a 140-bed regional facility serving Zachary and the neighboring communities of Baker, Clinton, Central, St. Francisville, Jackson and southern Mississippi. 

Providing a full range of inpatient and outpatient services, Lane supports cardiovascular, orthopaedics, labor & delivery, general surgery, in-patient rehabilitation, hyperbarics, infusion, sleep medicine, diabetes, home health, behavioral health and vascular programs. 

With more than 750 staff members, Lane is the largest employer within the city of Zachary.  The hospital continues to grow and invest in the community by recruiting new physicians and providing emergency services and after-hours care.

For more details, visit LaneRMC.org