Stuller and Lafayette General Medical Center partner to launch telemedicine clinic

New virtual clinic demonstrates the possibilities of combining medicine and fiber.

Lafayette, LA  Stuller, Inc. and Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) have partnered to bring the next generation of healthcare to Lafayette.

Acadiana's first telemedicine clinic opened May 7 inside of Stuller's global headquarters, providing its 1,200 associates daily access to primary care physicians and other medical resources.

The community non-profit FiberCorps helped facilitate the project's technical and operational setup. They established the two-way audio and HD video conferencing that Joseph Orgeron, M.D., the project's primary physician, uses so that he can remain at his office during the day. The clinic has numerous virtual tools at its disposal including a Bluetooth stethoscope and digital otoscope. Onsite, LGMC provides a clinical staff member to facilitate exams and serve as liaison between the patient and physician.

"Fiber-powered technologies like videoconferencing offer so much potential to revolutionize our community," says Geoff Daily, FiberCorps Executive Director. "We're excited to help Stuller and LGMC implement this project, which benefits so many."

Through a shared vision, Stuller and LGMC began the pilot program, seeing the convenience it created for associates and the significant savings in healthcare costs (telemedicine visits are reimbursed at half of in-person visits).

"Our mission is to restore, maintain and improve health," says LGMC President/CEO David L. Callecod, FACHE. "Partnering with Stuller, one of the biggest employers in the area, provides us with an opportunity to do just that."

"Stuller is its people and I want to make sure our associates have the best possible opportunity for wellness," says Stuller Founder Matt Stuller. "This clinic and our new wellness initiative create a positive work environment promoting personal well-being and growth."

About FiberCorps

FiberCorps is a non-profit charged with engaging the community to drive digital economic development in Lafayette. We are pursuing this mission by serving as a facilitator and coalition builder for pilot projects. We are building towards the goal of transforming Lafayette into a living lab for the 21st century Internet.

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 Stuller Inc.

Stuller, Inc. is headquartered in Lafayette, LA and was founded by Matthew Stuller in 1970. The DTC Sightholder provides a wide range of goods and services for jewelry professionals. Stuller's core product categories include: diamonds, gemstones, finished jewelry, mountings, findings, bridal jewelry, contemporary metals jewelry, tools and supplies.