LAFAYETTE - Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) has expanded its award-winning service to the residents of Vermilion Parish thanks to a new partnership with Abbeville General Hospital (AGH).

LGMC's Cancer Center of Acadiana (CCA) opened a new Cancer Center of Acadiana at Abbeville General. The CCA at Abbeville General offers the same clinical treatments as those in Lafayette and in renowned cancer centers in Houston and throughout the country.

The Cancer Center of Acadiana at Abbeville General brings an identity as a top cancer treatment facility in the area, which should provide comfort to both patients and their families. Physicians at the CCA at Lafayette General, including Salman Malad, M.D., will spend time working at the CCA at Abbeville General. AGH now contains a medical oncology clinic and is licensed for a six-chair infusion center.

"Lafayette General values the people of Acadiana," stated LGMC President and CEO David L. Callecod. "Reducing the variation in the way cancer care is delivered makes it better for the patient in every aspect and keeps us true to our mission to restore, maintain and improve health."

Lafayette General hopes to utilize this clinical affiliation with Abbeville General as the stepping stone for more clinical service line partnerships in the future.

"We are pleased to work alongside LGMC in bringing cutting-edge cancer treatment standards to Abbeville General," said AGH CEO Ray Landry. "This allows the residents of Vermilion Parish the convenience of seeking world-class medical treatment without leaving home."

One year ago, Lafayette General partnered its Cancer Center of Acadiana with Savoy Medical Center in Mamou to provide treatment to those in the Evangeline Parish area. This affiliation proved to be extremely valuable to patients in the Central Louisiana parishes of Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides and St. Landry, helping those residents receive care close to home.

About Lafayette General Medical Center

Lafayette General Medical Center, a 353 staffed bed facility, is the largest full-service, acute-care medical center in the nine-parish area of Acadiana. LGMC provides families with comprehensive medical services at every level of care, from severe emergency trauma to the common cold. Lafayette General evolved from Lafayette Sanitarium, a six-bed facility that opened in 1911, and has been a leader in health care throughout its existence. Over the years, LGMC has expanded its services and facilities to meet the community's growing needs.

Lafayette General Medical Center is recognized by federal and state tax laws as a 501c(3) not-for-profit corporation. Although the hospital generates money by billing for its health care services, it does not pay out any revenue to shareholders, as for-profits do. Any net revenue is reinvested into the organization for new equipment, facilities, and technology to better care for the people we serve.

As the region's only community-owned and managed hospital, all decisions are made locally by an experienced administrative team and a volunteer Membership Corporation and Board of Trustees. At LGMC, you can count on us to stay one step ahead of the changing face of health care. For general information, call (337) 289-7991.

About Abbeville General Hospital

Abbeville General Hospital is committed to providing quality healthcare in a safe environment to the residents of our community and surrounding areas, and to be recognized as the hospital of choice for Vermilion Parish.

As a 60-bed community-based, not-for-profit hospital, our priority for 46 years has remained the same, meeting the health care needs of our community through progress and a commitment to excellence.

This is our commitment to our patients, both today and into the future.

The Cancer Center of Acadiana at Abbeville General demonstrates Abbeville General's focus in providing quality healthcare to the residents of Vermilion parish close to the patient's home. For more information regarding the Cancer Center of Acadiana at Abbeville General, call (337) 898-6413 or (337) 893-5466.