At the invitation and encouragement of local families who have received care from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and support its research efforts, Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden is visiting the hospital on Monday to meet with administrators to learn more about how Baton Rouge can continue to strengthen its partnership as it also becomes a “medical Mecca” for the region.

Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital is one of only six hospitals in the nation who are affiliated with St Jude’s, which is ranked as the number one children’s cancer hospital in the U.S.  This special partnership allows local area patients to travel to Memphis to receive their prescribed cancer treatment and return to Baton Rouge for inpatient treatment at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital or outpatient treatment at the St. Jude Clinic located in the adjacent Medical Plaza 1 building.

“Baton Rouge’s medical facilities can compete with any in the country,” Holden said, “and partnerships like this one are bringing the latest research available to our community.  Through this partnership with St. Jude’s, Baton Rouge area children can receive lifesaving cancer care close to their homes, friends and families and parents can continue to work and receive the support they need.”

Holden said St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is important to Baton Rouge because of the large number of local children who receive treatment there.  “There is a great deal of support in our community for St. Jude’s because of what it means to local families,” Holden said.  “From our Baton Rouge City Police participating in fundraisers to local families planning family outings that allow patients to take a break from their treatment, St. Jude’s is very special to our community.  Local families and patients have urged me to visit the hospital to help strengthen our relationship because of its importance.”

Holden pointed out that the FUTUREBR plan for land use and development in East Baton Rouge Parish recognizes the importance of the local medical facilities.  “Our national planning team saw the potential of our medical community and made recommendations for improving transportation and infrastructure to help build a district that can be more easily accessed by citizens throughout the parish as well as those coming to Baton Rouge for treatment,” Holden said.

“First rate medical and research facilities are tremendous economic drivers,” Holden said.  “Research facilities in Memphis, including St. Jude’s Hospital, are expected to grow by 30 percent by 2020, surpassing $1 billion in expenditures.  They bring high-quality jobs, value for our universities and a great return by generating new business activity.  It’s critical that we build on the strength of our local medical facilities and support partnerships that bring world-class medical treatment to our community.”

Holden said Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital saw 70,000 children from 59 of 64 parishes in 2010 and other local hospitals also enjoyed regional success.  “As St. Jude’s grows, we will grow locally as more children from Louisiana and Mississippi are able to receive cancer treatment here in Baton Rouge.  It starts with building relationships at all levels so we can provide the best healthcare possible and at the same time build the kind of economy we want for our future.”