Baton Rouge, LA, August 30, 2019 — Hematology/Oncology Clinic (HOC) yesterday hosted a sneak-peek groundbreaking ceremony for its new location in the Pennington Cancer Center at the Bluebonnet Campus. HOC will relocate from its current location on Picardy Avenue in the spring of 2020.

The brand new, 17,000 square foot, $3.1 million facility will provide cancer patients in the Baton Rouge area with convenient access to physician services, chemotherapy and other advanced treatments, laboratory and specialty pharmacy services, and clinical trials, all under one roof.  The Clinic will have 20 private exam rooms and 37 chemotherapy infusion stations.

To enhance the patient experience and improve operational efficiencies for providers, Evidence-Based Design will be integrated into the facility.  Studies have shown that using certain colors, lighting and art in healthcare spaces helps to reduce stress, and patients are more likely to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Medical Oncologist Dr. Gerald Miletello spoke on behalf of the HOC physicians. “My colleagues and I have been a part of the Baton Rouge community for many years,” he said. “We live here and we are very proud to practice here.  We look forward to continuing to provide our patients with access to the highest quality of cancer care, so they can stay as close to home as possible.”

Honorary Guest and Philanthropist Paula Pennington de la Bretonne joined HOC physicians and staff, Baton Rouge Hospital administrators and local dignitaries at the event. When it opened in 1987, the Pennington Cancer Center was the first accredited cancer program in Baton Rouge. In 2006, the Center was named for the Pennington family with a donation from the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation which allowed Baton Rouge General to be the first in the country to purchase the ARTISTE linear accelerator, the most advanced treatment option at the time.

 “After 30 years and nearly 30,000 patients, our Foundation is giving additional support to provide the Cancer Center with the latest technology and equipment in the fight against cancer,” said Ms. Pennington de la Bretonne. “We are grateful to support the growth of needed services in our community.”

Last year, HOC joined the American Oncology Network (AON), a multi-state alliance of physicians and veteran healthcare leaders working together to ensure the long-term success of community oncology.  AON CEO Brad Prechtl, MBA said, “We are proud to be part of HOC’s continued growth. Their rich history of providing cancer treatment of the highest quality and focused on the whole person, is truly inspiring.”

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About Hematology/Oncology Clinic: (HOCBR.com)

Specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and cancer, the Hematology/Oncology Clinic (HOC) serves patients from offices in Baton Rouge and Zachary, Louisiana. Hematology/Oncology Clinic is the practice of Dr. Gerald Miletello, Dr. Christopher McCanless, Dr. Michael Castine, III, Dr. Pavani Ellipeddi, Dr. Lauren Juneja, and Dr. Sanjay Juneja. The practice’s highly trained and experienced clinical staff consists of Nurse Practitioners, Oncology Certified Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses.

HOC’s exceptional quality care includes access to innovative clinical trials, home delivery of oral cancer medications from a specialty, in-house pharmacy, timely labs and pathology reports, and on-site infusion therapy. The practice also offers comprehensive supportive care such as 24/7 access to Care Management, nutrition counseling, and much more.

About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)

Founded in 2017, American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Founded in 2017, the rapidly growing AON network represents more than 45 physicians and over ten nurse practitioners/physician assistants practicing across seven states. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

For More Information, Contact:
American Oncology Network, LLC
Shelly Glenn
Chief Marketing & Sales Officer
Shelly.Glenn@AONcology.com
(770) 365.6168

Caroline Hewitt
Regional Director of Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com
(239) 789.2341