“We are most appreciative of this wonderful expression of support for LSU-E as we move to create this vital educational department at our university,” commented LSUEunice Chancellor William Nunez. “LSU in Eunice is widely known as a center of excellence for both our nursing and allied health curricula.

The planned addition of an ultrasound department will further enhance our ability to meet the needs for a highly-skilled workforce in the growing medical field,” he adds. Spearheading the grant request to the LifePoint Foundation were Butch Frazier, CEO of Acadian Medical Center, Phil Young, CEO of Doctors’ Hospital and Brian Riddle, CEO of Ville Platte Medical Center. Each hospital contributed $13,000 that was matched by a $15,000 donation from the LifePoint Community Foundation.

Speaking on behalf of the three hospitals, Butch Frazier, CEO of Acadian Medical Center pointed out the positive impact that an Ultrasound Department at LSU-E will have on area healthcare services. “Together, Acadian Medical Center, Doctors’ Hospital, and Ville Platte Medical Center provide a broad and growing array of vital healthcare services to the many communities we serve. In offering those services, we depend on having a highly skilled workforce from which we can draw upon. As our three hospitals continue to utilize advanced medical technologies, such as the latest in Ultrasound technologies, our need for the staff to support that technology will continue to grow. Working with LSU-E in the establishment of an Ultrasound Department is an example of how great things can come out of cooperative approaches.”

The creation of an Ultrasound Department at LSU in Eunice will allow students to receive training and education towards becoming medical Sonographers, a technologically intense field that is rapidly expanding along with a growing and aging population. Employment in the field is expected to grow by as much as 19% annually through the year 2016, making it a very attractive field of study for future career opportunity.

LSU-E Chancellor Nunez expressed appreciation to the three participating hospitals and the LifePoint Community Foundation for the support and leadership in making the grant possible. Nunez commented, “We are very fortunate to have forward-looking leadership at the helm of Acadian Medical Center, Doctors’ Hospital, and Ville Platte Medical Center. The beneficiary of their collective support will ultimately be the people of this part of Louisiana who turn to these Medical Centers for state-of-the-art medical care for themselves and their families at each of the outstanding rural hospitals. Their support helps our communities, our university, and creates wonderful career opportunities for our students.”

Pending the finalization of curriculum details and instructors, LSU in Eunice plans to initiate instruction in the Ultrasound Department in early 2009.