On January 30, 1950, an estimated 20,000 people gathered to mark the opening of the new, much larger hospital in the heart of the city on Florida Blvd. This year, we celebrate 75 years at the Mid City campus and honor some of the many people who were instrumental in its beginning, growth and long-term success.
These "History Makers" are designated as Pioneers in Medicine for leading both BRG and the healthcare field, or Community Champions, for making meaningful impacts at the hospital and beyond.
Explore the milestones, memories and moments, that shaped Baton Rouge General Mid City.
Mid City History Makers
Pioneers in Medicine
Dr. Venkat Banda
Dr. Venkat Banda is a fixture in the halls at Baton Rouge General and has been on medical staff here since 1995. He currently serves as chief academic officer and designated institutional official. He started out at the former Internal Medicine Clinic, recruited to come to Baton Rouge by Dr. Henry Dixon following his residency at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Ill.
In 2003, Dr. Banda, along with Dr. Raju Vatsavai, founded Hospital Medicine Group (HMG). The concept of hospitalists -- physicians dedicated to inpatients -- gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and HMG brought that model to Baton Rouge General.
Around the same time, Dr. Banda’s passion for medical education further took root. Dr. Banda joined as adjunct faculty for the shared Emergency Medicine Program between EKL and BRG in the early 2000s, as well as for BRG’s Family Medicine Residency program’s internal medicine rotation. Then in 2010, he helped start the BRG Internal Medicine Residency program.
In his role of designated institutional official, a position held since 2014, Dr. Banda has overseen all graduate medical education activities at BRG for over 175 residents from BRG, LSU, and Tulane residency programs each year. He also oversees undergraduate medical education training and affiliations with several medical schools, providing training opportunities for over 100 medical students per year.
Over the years, he has held many roles at BRG, including chief of internal medicine for the hospital, program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program (twice!), department chair of medicine services, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine for the Tulane University School of Medicine’s satellite campus at BRG, and medical director of BRG Mid City.
Regardless the situation, Dr. Banda always keeps patient care first. Whether it was in 2008 following Hurricane Gustav when he met with the FEMA Secretary at Mid City to see the response firsthand, or in 2020 when he walked the same halls with Gov. John Bel Edwards and the U.S. military arriving to help care for COVID patients at Mid City, which served as the region’s surge hospital. He is a trusted leader, serving on BRG’s Board of Trustees from 2000-2019.
Dr. Page Acree
Dr. Page Acree, a heart surgeon, was instrumental in building a state-of-the-art cardiovascular program at Baton Rouge General. By the late 1950s, Dr. Acree was making huge strides in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and had fashioned a heart bypass system from a pump used in a soup factory and grafts that his wife had sewn together. In 1958, he performed the city’s first open-heart surgery at Baton Rouge General and in 1961, the city’s first pacemaker procedure.
He was on medical staff at Baton Rouge General for many years and served in medical leadership later in his career. A native of Mullins, S.C., and a World War II Navy veteran, his accomplishments in his field were many. In addition to his work at BRG, his expertise made an impact regionally. He was on the first open-heart team in Louisiana at Tulane Medical School and performed the first open-heart procedure in the Gulf South at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
He received many honors and awards during his life including the Robins Award for “Outstanding Community Service by a Physician” from the Louisiana State Medical Society, the “Distinguished Service as President,” from the Louisiana Heart Association, and “Excellence in Healthcare Award” from General Health Systems/Baton Rouge General.
Dr. Flip Roberts
Through his passion for advancing medical education and research, BRG emerged as a robust academic teaching hospital that today continues to cultivate the region’s future clinical leaders through its residency programs. Under Dr. Roberts’ leadership, BRG and Tulane University School of Medicine established the first satellite campus with the founding of the Baton Rouge LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Development) Academy, where he served as regional dean for five years.
Dr. Roberts was also a pioneer of quality improvement initiatives, leading the development of our patient-centered culture of high reliability and safety.
In addition to his pivotal role in these areas, Dr. Roberts was a steady presence at the General during the challenging times too, like the Hurricane Katrina healthcare response and the closure of the emergency room at Mid City. He is now the vice president of clinical affairs for the Louisiana Hospital Association.
Community Champions
Kirkpatrick Family
Claude Kirkpatrick was administrator at BRG from 1967-1970, then named as the first president and CEO in 1970, a position he held until 1981.
Under his leadership, BRG opened its Regional Burn Center in 1970. As a major hub of the state’s industrial corridor, it filled the need for specialized burn care in the area. And at a time when addiction disorder was a relatively new medical diagnosis, Mid City opened Louisiana’s first chemical dependency unit in 1976.
Prior to BRG, he served two terms in the Louisiana House of Representatives (1952 to 1960) and worked to establish Toledo Bend Reservoir through his directorship of the state Department of Public Works (1960 to 1964).
Claude and his wife, Edith, began a legacy of community and civic leadership that continues today not only at BRG but throughout the community. Thousands of patients, visitors and staff use the Claude Kirkpatrick Chapel located on both the Mid City and Bluebonnet hospital campuses – just one visible reminder of the family’s ongoing support. In 1976, Edith helped conceptualize and was involved in the founding of the Baton Rouge General Foundation. In 2011, the Claude Kirkpatrick Family was recognized by the Baton Rouge General Foundation with a “Excellence in General Award” for their significant impact in our community through their leadership and philanthropic effort.
Ushering in a new generation, Scott Kirkpatrick, Claude and Edith’s grandson, serves as the chair of BRG’s Board of Trustees. He has been on the board since 2019, first serving as an ex officio member in conjunction with his role as the chair of the BRG Foundation Board.
Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas
Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas has led community planning and redevelopment efforts in Louisiana since the late 80s, helping found the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance in 1991 as its first director, a position she held for seven years. Through her tenacious efforts, the long process to improve and grow the area around Baton Rouge General took root, and today, the businesses and economy are thriving in that area of Mid City.
She later founded Plan Baton Rouge, the master plan for the redevelopment of downtown Baton Rouge that later transitioned into the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX). She retired as president and CEO in 2018.
Perry Franklin
Perry Franklin is not only an active member of the community’s civic fabric, but he has been an integral part of Baton Rouge General, working here for 13 years. Starting in 1993, Perry was a director at the hospital, then in 1998 transitioned to director of the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance (MCRA), which BRG founded seven years prior. At MCRA, he oversaw the development of several impactful programs ranging from homeownership and financial literacy to home rehabilitation and community volunteering efforts.
Perry founded Franklin Associates in 2005, specializing in community engagement and disaster recovery program management, and served on BRG’s Board of Trustees from 2010-2018. Perry continues to work closely with BRG and MCRA to improve the infrastructure and quality of place in Mid City.
Tom Sawyer
Tom Sawyer served as president and CEO at Baton Rouge General from 1981-1997. During this time at the hospital system, BRG hit many milestones. It became the first hospital in Baton Rouge to be approved by the Amercian College of Surgeons as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program, the Schools of Nursing flourished at Mid City, and the hospital's medical education program took off.
A sign of growth, several large construction projects were completed in the 80s and 90s, like the front addition to the hospital, the parking garage and the physician office building. BRG also founded Mid City Redevelopment alliance in 1991.
Under his leadership and vision, BRG expanded south. The Mid City hospital was thriving, but Sawyer had recognized the need for a satellite hospital in the fast-growing southeastern part of the parish. In September 1994, long before the mall and the south Baton Rouge traffic, the Bluebonnet campus opened.
Mid City Timeline
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1946
Lula Caruthers pictured with a shovel performing the ceremonial groundbreaking for Baton Rouge General Hospital’s new location in 1946.
About Lula Caruthers: In 1910 Louise R. “Lula” Heidingsfelder Caruthers gathered a group of local residents and formed the Charity Ward Association to treat patients who could not afford medical care. She was a staunch supporter of the hospital and even took charge in 1912 when Dr. Singletary became too ill to continue his practice.
Lula lived to the age of 94, seeing Baton Rouge General through the move to the Mid City location, before her passing in 1957.
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1950
BRG Mid City construction completed. Doors open on January 30 with an estimated 20,000 people gathered to celebrate.
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1952
Polio, a crippling disease that struck adults and children, reached epidemic proportions in 1952. Iron lung treatment at BRG Mid City gave patients new hope. Doctors and nurses treated up to 75 patients at one time in the polio unit.
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1959
The first African American nurses at BRG trailblazed a path for future nurses and provided high quality care for the African American community at a time when it wasn’t easily accessible.
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1961
Dr. Page Acree was instrumental in building a state-of-the-art cardiovascular program at BRG. In 1961, the city’s first pacemaker implant was performed.
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1970
As a major hub of the state’s industrial corridor, Baton Rouge needed specialized burn care. BRG opened its Regional Burn Center in 1970.
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1974
The hospital gained national media attention when Dr. Eugene Berry performed a pacemaker implantation on Amy Sciple, a 5-day-old infant.
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1975
BRG made significant advancements in healthcare when it opened its Coronary Care Unit. This new facility marked a pivotal moment in the hospital’s history, as it expanded its capabilities to provide specialized cardiovascular care for the community.
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1976
At a time when addiction disorder was a relatively new medical diagnosis, BRG Mid City opened Louisiana’s first chemical dependency unit.
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1984
BRG's School of Nursing is established. BRG offers the only hospital-based diploma program in the state of Louisiana and has graduated more than 1,200 nurses since its opening.
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1986
The Radiation Oncology Center opened at BRG Mid City. Three years later BRG became the first hospital in Baton Rouge to be approved by the American College of Surgeons as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program.
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1991
BRG’s commitment to medical education expanded when it became a teaching facility and began training residents in the fields of family medicine, emergency medicine and general surgery.
BRG also founded the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance in 1991 to serve as a catalyst for growth and renewal in the area. The hospital continues to work closely with MCRA to improve the infrastructure and quality of places in Mid City.
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2000
Advanced Wound Care and hyperbaric treatments became available at Mid City. Patients breathe 100 percent oxygen under pressure inside a hyperbaric chamber, which sends oxygen to damaged tissues and allows them to heal properly.
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2005
The Olinde House, established in 2005, is a fully functional on-site simulated home that helps rehab patients practice everyday skills as they recover - from making a bed, to cooking a meal, to doing the laundry.
Hurricane Katrina impacted the state in 2005. Mid City was a hub of support for the many evacuated patients and residents of New Orleans.
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2008
After Hurricane Gustav, National HHS Secretary Mike Levitt visited Mid City while it was without power for several days. The military set up camp adjacent to the ER.
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2010
Baton Rouge General cemented its reputation as a regional teaching hospital when it became an affiliate campus for Tulane University School of Medicine.
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2011
Mid City Redevelopment celebrated 20 years and launched as an independent organization.
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2015
The closure of Earl K. Long and a pre-Medicaid expansion landscape led BRG to the difficult decision to close the Mid City emergency room in April 2015, after years of facing substantial financial losses. While the rest of the hospital remained open, the ER remained closed for 5 years.
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2016
After the Great Flood of 2016, the Mid City campus doubled as “Hotel Champagne” for 53 displaced employees and their families. It was named after Louis Champagne, one of Baton Rouge General’s human resources directors who is credited with taking the lead on the accommodations.
During this time, Mid City also served as a special needs shelter for the public, before the State opened its shelter at LSU.
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2020
The COVID pandemic changed the face of healthcare. On March 17, BRG opened the area’s first community COVID testing site at Mid City. Then on March 30, BRG announced an agreement with the state to make Mid City a key part of the community’s COVID-19 surge plan, re-opening the emergency room and acute care beds to care for patients who couldn’t get care elsewhere and to take pressure off other area hospitals as the surge of patients continued to grow.
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2021
The Baton Rouge General Foundation announced a new initiative to address health inequity and barriers to care among the hospital’s patient base at Mid City. The CARE Initiative (Community, Access, Resources, and Education) tackles some of the most common issues keeping patients from achieving full health, including transportation, medical equipment, and food insecurity.
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2024
BRG’s mobile health unit, BRG Care on the Go, launched in September 2024 to bring health care services into the North Baton Rouge community where people work, worship, and play.
