An Event Worth Celebrating
Minority run hospital makes one year anniversary

By Sevetri Wilson

Next month will make a year anniversary for the Greater Baton Rouge Surgical Hospital, a minority developed and operated hospital located on 7855 Howell Blvd. The newly developed hospital boasts a doctor’s staff close to 100, up over 75 percent from when it first started almost a year ago. 

The physicians at the Greater Baton Rouge Surgical Hospital offer numerous services. “Dr. E.J. Mencer and Dr. Jeff Littleton are both general surgeons. We have a pair of identical twins, Melvin and Marvin Trotter who are podiatrists. Janet Lewis is an orthopedic surgeon, and her sister, Angela Lewis is an ophthalmologist, while Stan Mays practices family medicine,” said Val Wilson, marketing director for the hospital. 

An orthopedic group including Dr. Daryl Peterson and hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Teddy Knatt now serves as team physicians for Southern University athletics. “The hospital has a broad range of experience that you don’t see everyday,” said Wilson.

The Greater Baton Rouge Surgical Hospital also offers services ranging from breast oncology to gastroenterology. The hospital’s 33,000-square-foot facility provides ample space for its patients. “We are a surgical hospital with 4 operating rooms and 6 rooms for inpatient stay, however the majority of our work is outpatient,” said Dr. Teddy Knatt, head of the core group of physicians at the hospital. Knatt was one of the key players in making the idea of a minority run hospital a reality. The hospital is easily accessible to patients. “It’s a strategic location and it’s easy access to our facility from almost anywhere,” said Dr. Knatt.

The hospital also served many displaced New Orleans residents last year. “We provided care to a significant number of patients affected by Hurricane Katrina and Rita,” said Knatt. GBRSH still has space available and is always welcoming new physicians and those displaced. “We know there are physicians still displaced from Katrina, and we welcome them to our hospital, said Knatt.”

The Greater Baton Rouge Surgical Hospital is indeed unique, being the only sub-specialty hospital in north Baton Rouge. “We have a well diversified staff, and we are actively recruiting and expanding our hospital,” said Wilson. “Minority doctors are at the core of it all and I believe that culture plays a big role. Since the staff is made up of primarily minority doctors we are able to understand and connect to our patients which is something anyone can appreciate,” said Wilson.

The Greater Baton Rouge Surgical Hospital plans to expand its imaging department as well as create a foundation that would provide scholarships for students.

Carandal Blount, a pre-medical student at Louisiana State University was in awe when he first visited the hospital last year. “Their facility is beautiful,” said Blount. “I thought to myself these are the doctors that I aspire to be like. They have set the mold, and as a future black doctor I am willing to follow in their steps. I appreciate what they bring to the community.”

The community is the most important concern according to Knatt. “We encourage doctors to return to areas that are underserved and make contributions,” he said.

On October 28, the hospital will celebrate its first anniversary with a health fair called “Family Fun Fest” from 11 am – 4pm. The event is free to the public and will provide medical screenings, food vendors, and a “dunk the doctor” booth. Ms. Wilson invites everyone to share in the event.

Contact Sevetri at editor@b-now.com