Louisiana's new hospitals director said Friday Southeast Louisiana (mental) hospital has more professional staff members than at any time this year.
The statement came from Charles Rosenblum, Hammond merchant named hospitals director to replace Jesse Banks-ton after Gov. Earl K. Long forced his own release from the mental institution at Mande-ville. N
Long fired Dr. Charles Belcher as superintendent of the hospital after gaining his freedom.
Another psychiatrist at the hospital quit when Rosenblum named Dr. J. H. McClendon, an Amite general physician, to head the hospital. The hospital was left with one staff psychiatrist.
ROSENBLUM STATEMENT
Here is Rosenblum's statement:
"I have just completed a conference with Dr. Thomas L. Rafferty, clinical director of Southeast Louisiana hospital at Mande ville, and I am informed that the medical situation there is excellent.
"We now have six full-time psychiatrists on duty, and all wards and services are adequately staffed. We have six part-time psychiatrists, working from two to four days a week, and there are other medical specialists on part-time and consulting contracts.
"As a matter of fact, there are more professional staff members now than at any time earlier this year.
Dr. Charles Belcher, former superintendent, has left the hospital, and Dr. Anthony Rousos, former assistant superintendent, is leaving today. There have been no other resignations, and we expect none.
'COOPERATE FULLY'
"Dr. Robert G. Heath, chairman of the department of psychiatry and neurology of Tulane university school of medicine, and Dr. Charles Watkins, professor and head of the department of psychiatry and neurology at LSU school of medicine, have confirmed to me in Letter today that the medical schools will continue to co-operate fully with the Mandeville hospital.
Both of these physicians have re-stated their full support in our training and patient-care programs, and the state department of hospitals is grateful for their goodwill."
