Ochsner Announces Continued Expansion of Cancer Services in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE – In its latest effort to bring innovations in the fight against cancer close to home while enhancing the patient experience, Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge continues its $10 million multi-year expansion. The project includes a new pharmacy for patients involved in research and clinical trials, along with additional room for exams and consultations.

The pharmacy will benefit all Ochsner patients taking part in active studies, regardless of the research specialty. It also enables Ochsner to recruit patients for research projects at both its O’Neal campus and Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove. The cancer center is part of Ochsner Cancer Institute, giving Baton Rouge patients local access to more clinical trials than anywhere else in the region.

The construction comes on the heels of the first wave of expansion of services completed in 2021, which also added space for patient treatment, as well as upgraded technology for positron emission tomography scans, also known as PET or PET-CT scans.

The latest project comprises 16,700 square feet and will provide an additional 30 patient exam rooms, three treatment rooms and two consultation rooms. In addition to medical oncology, Ochsner Baton Rouge already offers local appointments with physicians who specialize in radiation oncology, surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology, breast oncology, thoracic surgical oncology, cutaneous (skin) surgical oncology and urologic oncology. The additional patient rooms will provide more space for existing services as well as rheumatology, colorectal surgery, breast surgery, general surgery, and head and neck oncology.

Timeline for completion is spring of 2023.

“This latest expansion provides an exceptional level of convenience for cancer patients at Ochsner,” says Chuck Daigle, CEO, Ochsner Baton Rouge. “The Ochsner team will have more space for patient treatment, and we’ll deliver the latest cancer treatment innovations right here in Baton Rouge.”

The expansion will make this cancer center a leading comprehensive cancer care destination in the Baton Rouge region. Ochsner will continue to grow its already robust clinical cancer research program, which offers patients access to early-phase clinical trials, cutting-edge drugs and anti-cancer agents through its Precision Cancer Therapies Program. Ochsner’s commitment to research and innovation is one of many reasons the cancer center is a regional destination for cancer care.

Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge is connected to the entire Ochsner Health network of facilities and physicians through Epic – Ochsner’s integrated electronic health record system, which enables Ochsner physicians to securely share patient information, resulting in a higher level of coordinated care across the system. Patients can also use personalized MyOchsner accounts to access tests results and schedule appointments directly from their smartphone, tablet or computer.

In addition, the Ochsner Integrative Oncology team uses complementary therapies along with conventional medicine. Supportive services like nutrition, yoga and tai chi, acupuncture and psychology are provided by a team that specializes in caring for oncology patients. These therapies work together with standard treatment methods (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) to treat the patient's body, mind, and spirit. Integrative therapies can help with the goals of treatment, treatment of side effects, distress relief and may help with treatment results and adherence.

These offerings underscore Ochsner’s multidisciplinary team approach – the social, physical and emotional impacts of cancer treatment. They also complement programming, including chemotherapy classes designed for patients and families embarking on chemotherapy treatment and support groups available to all members of the community. Educational resources and regular support groups are offered to patients and any member of the community seeking support as they or a loved one battles cancer.

Cancer Care at Ochsner

Ochsner Cancer Institute has cared for patients from all 50 states and 28 countries at its comprehensive cancer centers in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, St. Tammany Parish and in north Louisiana. Five-year cancer survival rates for those treated at Ochsner continue to exceed the national average not only for the four major cancer malignancies of breast, colon, lung and prostate, but also several other types, including melanoma, head and neck, pancreatic, ovarian and cervical cancers.

Early cancer detection can save lives. It is critical to not delay medical care and that includes routine cancer screenings. It’s important to talk with a doctor about when and how often cancer screenings should be performed.

For appointments across the Baton Rouge region, call (225) 761-5200 or visit Ochsner.org/info. In-person appointments and video visits are available online and through the MyOchsner patient portal.

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About Ochsner Baton Rouge

Greater Baton Rouge is home to Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge, a full-service, 150-bed hospital and 13 Health Centers across Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston and Tangipahoa Parishes – including Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge. Over 2,300 employees serve patients in the Greater Baton Rouge area, including more than 250 physicians and Advanced Practice Providers whose collective dedication to patient care is recognized for quality excellence by Becker’s Hospital Review, Healthgrades, Truven Health Analytics and Leapfrog. Ochsner Baton Rouge is a part of Ochsner Health, Louisiana’s largest non-profit healthcare delivery system committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner healed more than 876,000 people from across the globe in 2019, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner's team of more than 26,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the Gulf South. To learn more about Ochsner Baton Rouge, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook.