Ochsner Cancer Center - Baton Rouge Completes Multimillion-Dollar Upgrade, Expands Services

Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge Announces Expanded Services with Completion of Multimillion Dollar Facility Upgrade

BATON ROUGE – In its ongoing efforts to serve more patients, while also enhancing patient experience and quality of care, Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge announces the completion of its most recent expansion. Additional appointments for cancer subspecialty services are available following the multimillion-dollar facility upgrade.

In addition to medical oncology, Ochsner Baton Rouge 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.

As part of Ochsner Cancer Institute, patients in Baton Rouge have local access to more clinical trials than anywhere else in the region. Ochsner’s multidisciplinary approach offers an entire network to each patient – providing multidisciplinary care through a team of providers.

“Cancer care is about so much more than just treating the cancer,” says Dr. Burke “Jay” Brooks, chairman of Ochsner’s Department of Hematology/Oncology. “We have two state-of-the-art cancer centers in Baton Rouge and a dedicated surgical suite for skin cancer treatment. Patients get excellent cancer treatment, but then it goes beyond that at Ochsner.”

It is typical for patients to experience other health problems related to their cancer. Many patients need follow-up care during or after their cancer treatment with other medical specialists, such as a cardiologist.

“Our integrated electronic medical record system means that our cardiologists know what the medical oncologists and radiation oncologists know,” added Dr. Brooks. “Your Ochsner primary care physician has access to the same records, tests and scans as the specialists. There is no fractured care, and everyone is on the same page.”

The facility upgrade renovated 1,668 of the over 20,000 square feet on the first floor at the cancer center. Ancillary space was converted into patient-facing diagnostic and treatment areas. The cancer center also upgraded its technology for positron emission tomography scans, also known as a PET scan or PET-CT. Construction costs were approximately $1.36 million, while the cost of the new equipment exceeded an additional $1 million.

For many types of cancer, PET scans are used to locate tumors, determine the cancer stage and whether it has spread. PET scans also help doctors determine how the cancer affects different body functions and the most appropriate treatment plan.

The upgrade was completed with the help of Kent Design + Build Inc. and Grace Hebert Curtis Architects.

Ochsner has affiliations with other cancer programs across the U.S., which is vital in the success of its precision medicine program. Precision medicine uses a person's genetic makeup to help with prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In cancer care, treatments may use specific DNA markers to interfere with molecules and cancer-causing genes to slow, stop or reverse the spread of cancer cells.

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 Health healed more than 900,000 people from across the globe in 2020, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner's team of more than 32,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Baton Rouge, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook.