Opelousas General Health System Earns 2025 Bronze Seal of Excellence Award

Opelousas General Health System’s cancer registry has earned the 2025 Bronze Seal of Excellence Award by Louisiana Tumor Registry (LTR), for achievements in data quality and timeliness.

 OGHS partners with LTR to improve cancer outcomes throughout the state. High-quality, timely reporting, and complete cancer data are essential for informing cancer control programs, guiding public health initiatives, and supporting statewide evidence-based decision making. Opelousas General’s dedication to this cause helps ensure that Louisiana’s cancer statistics remain accurate, reliable, and meaningful. The Bronze Seal of Excellence criteria include 2024 diagnosis year data. 

 “This state recognition reflects the exceptional dedication, accuracy, and professionalism of our Tumor Registry, led by Curtis Vasseur. Their work plays a critical role in advancing cancer care, research, and outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.  Behind every data point is a patient, and their meticulous work ensures we continue improving cancer care across our region,” said Lance Armentor, BSM, MHA, President & CEO.

 As part of LTR’s commitment to continuous data improvement, hospitals are required to resubmit data 15 months after the close of the diagnosis year to ensure that updates entered after initial submissions and previously unsubmitted cases are captured.  LTR also implemented a follow-up data exchange program to help hospital registries and LTR capture more complete patient follow-up information; the program’s success relies on the participation of all reporting hospitals. 

 Cancer registration in Louisiana began in 1947 at the Charity Hospital Tumor Registry in New Orleans.  Five years later, in 1952, the Louisiana Tumor Registry was transferred to the state Office of Public Health, which expanded the LTR catchment area in 1983 to include all 35 parishes of South Louisiana (Regions I-V).

Louisiana cancer statistics are shown in the state’s public data report and can be utilized here: Louisiana Tumor Registry