DJP Update July 24, 2007: Press release from LSMS regarding Dr. Pou

LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
6767 Perkins Road - Baton Rouge, LA 70808
225.763.8500  - 800.375.9508  - 225.763.2332
www.lsms.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2007

LSMS RELEASES STATEMENT REGARDING ANNA POU, MD
The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) is extremely pleased and relieved to hear the Orleans Parish Grand Jury has refused to indict Dr. Anna Pou on the charges brought forth by State Attorney General Charles Foti involving patients at Memorial Medical Center in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. From the beginning, the LSMS has maintained that Dr. Pou is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and expected that she would be treated justly and fairly by the judicial system.

The LSMS strongly believes that Dr. Pou courageously performed her duties as a physician under the most challenging and horrific conditions. The decisions she made were in the best interests of the patients under her care. We hope the Grand Jury’s decision will remove the “chilling effect” these charges have had, and encourage physicians and other health care providers to continue to volunteer during disaster and emergency situations.  With this decision, the LSMS anticipates Dr. Pou will return to her 
distinguished career as a talented surgeon and dedicated educator. As Dr. Pou rebuilds her life and her practice, we know she will once again bring hope and healing into the lives of her patients.
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Contact:
Amy W. Phillips,
Director of Legal Affairs
Louisiana State Medical Society
(225) 763-8500