[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10226]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE BATON ROUGE GENERAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2009

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the Baton Rouge 
General for earning the tremendous honor--for the fifth time--as the 
Hospital of the Year by the Louisiana State Nurses Association.
  The Baton Rouge General, established more than 100 years ago as the 
first hospital in the Baton Rouge area, is still committed to serving 
the residents of this community. This hospital boasts a legacy rich in 
clinical achievement, timely and responsive technological advancement, 
and dependable yet creative approaches to the delivery of quality care 
and services to those it serves.
  The Baton Rouge General aids a nine-parish region as a teaching 
hospital for both physicians and nurses, and provides the community 
with an extensive range of services, including one of only two Regional 
Burn Centers in the state of Louisiana.
  Moreover, the Baton Rouge General's Pennington Cancer Center became 
the first in the nation to treat patients using the 
ARTISTETM the most advanced cancer-fighting technology 
available today. This technology allows cancer patients to remain close 
to home for treatment--surrounded by friends and family--and still 
receive the best cancer treatment available anywhere in the country.
  In addition to ARTISTETM the hospital's Pennington Cancer 
Center has become known for developing the most comprehensive and 
advanced cancer treatment program in the region, including inpatient, 
outpatient, surgical and medical oncology services; radiation 
treatment; and cancer research programs at both campuses of the Baton 
Rouge General. Also, through the Baton Rouge General's Womack Heart 
Center, the hospital provides complete cardiac care--recognized by many 
national organizations for the highest quality and outcomes.
  Again, the Baton Rouge General's dedication to excellence was 
highlighted nationally in 2008 when it was named one of the nation's 
Top 25 Most Connected Hospitals in America by Health Imaging and IT 
Magazine. The hospital is in the final stages of developing a $16 
million, state-of-the-art information technology system, which has been 
the subject of multiple national articles.
  As the Baton Rouge General forges into the new millennium, the 
hospital is more committed than ever to providing exceptional care from 
the region's best nurses, physicians and clinical professionals.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Baton Rouge General as 
it continues to provide needed medical services, life-saving, state-of-
the-art technology and the best care to its community.

                          ____________________