BRG Foundation Celebrates Everyday Heroes

Experience the Difference luncheon honors those dedicated to saving lives

Baton Rouge, La. – Monday, Baton Rouge General’s Foundation celebrated everyday heroes at their annual luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel. The event raises money to support patients at Baton Rouge General’s two hospital campuses.

Former LSU placekicker Colby Delahoussaye spoke at the luncheon, sharing his story about being treated at BRG’s Regional Burn Center after a car accident left him with burns on his leg.

“My LSU trainers advised me to immediately seek care at the BRG Regional Burn Center after I was in a tragic car accident. The burn team was the best of the best and took care of everything, so I had no worries during my treatment,” said Delahoussaye. “The skill and technology available at the Burn Center allowed me to be the first patient to benefit from a special skin graft treatment, and BRG’s everyday heroes provided me with the most up-to-date care. Six months after the accident, I was completely healed.”

In addition to Delahoussaye, other former patients offered their stories in person and via video. Sgt. Bruce Simmons, who was injured in last summer’s shooting that killed three officers, shared his thoughts about the BRG care team.

“If you’re injured in such a way that your passion is going to be taken away from you, I think you would want the best staff,” said Simmons. “I was very fortunate to be taken to Baton Rouge General. The care that I got is why I’m able to continue doing what I love to do.”

“We all have heroes,” said BRG President and CEO Edgardo Tenreiro. “Mine was my grandmother, whose perseverance in the face of challenge inspired me to help others. BRG’s everyday heroes – our team members – continue to inspire me every day by caring for each and every patient with the utmost compassion and skill.”

Funds raised at the luncheon were matched by HHS, Transformyx and Promise. The money will be used to enhance the Regional Burn Center, to expand the hospital’s critical care tower, and to purchase technology and equipment that benefit patients at the hospital.

As the region’s first and only fully comprehensive hospital, Baton Rouge General offers labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care, burn care, cancer care, heart care, skilled nursing, behavioral health, and more. In 2017, BRG was again rated first by CareChex in overall medical care in the state of Louisiana – and ranked in the top 2% of hospitals nationwide for overall care.

About Baton Rouge General's Foundation

The Baton Rouge General Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support programs, education, services and research for Baton Rouge General. The hospital's mission is to improve lives and strengthen our community by providing exceptional healthcare. Foundation donors directly impact and improve healthcare provided to the Greater Baton Rouge community by supporting the enhancement of key service areas, establishing new programs and purchasing of new equipment or technology. For more information, visit our Foundation page.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center

Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s the first and only not-for-profit community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900 and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as a satellite campus of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.