Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has named Melissa O’Banion to the role of vice president of marketing and communications where she is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission through comprehensive messaging and brand strategies.
Prior to O’Banion’s new position at Mary Bird Perkins, she served as director of marketing and brand at the Cancer Center where she led strategy and stewardship of the brand’s visual identity, architecture, voice, and positioning to support growth across the regional network and beyond.
“Melissa has been a longtime champion and leader of the Mary Bird Perkins brand, relentless in her pursuit to share our message of focused cancer care for the many communities and patients we serve,” said Jonas Fontenot, PhD, MBA, president and chief executive officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Since she began with us seven years ago, her talent, capacity for leadership, and commitment to our mission have been clearly apparent. We are proud to have Melissa serve in this new capacity for the organization.”
“I am excited to take this next step in sharing Mary Bird Perkins’ mission and leadership in oncology,” said O’Banion. “There are many stories of courage, survivorship, and how our cancer care team is bringing the best technology and advanced treatments to the region. It’s a true privilege to serve in this new capacity and lead a team of some of the best marketing and communications professionals in the region.”
O’Banion has 12 years of experience in her field and was previously employed by Hart Entergy in Houston, Texas and The Moran Group in Baton Rouge, La.
She is a graduate of Louisiana State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications.