Shaquille O’Neal Plans to Open a Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge

“Doctor” Shaquille O’Neal is putting his money where his mouth is – during his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, Shaq announced plans to open a children’s hospital in Baton Rouge. Per Tiger Rag: “Since he earned his doctorate in education in May 2012, former LSU great Shaquille O’Neal has dubbed himself ‘Dr. O’Neal.’ On Friday night, that nickname gained new meaning, as Dr. O’Neal announced plans to open a children’s hospital in Baton Rouge. It was a spur of the moment declaration from Dr. O’Neal, who was addressing the media ahead of his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 29. ‘I wasn’t supposed to announce this, but I’m going to do it anyway,’ Dr. O’Neal said. ‘I had a talk with the powers that be in Baton Rouge, and my plan is to build a Shaquille O’Neal children’s hospital. That’s my plan, so that right now is in the works, and hopefully it gets done. ‘ Dr. O’Neal said the idea has been discussed for two years, and his goal is to join with Our Lady of the Lake ‘to build the biggest, freest hospital in the state of Louisiana.’ … ‘All sick children can come for free,’ he said. ‘That’s my vision.'”