Ochsner Health is joining nearly 80 of the world’s most recognized academic medical centers and health systems as a new member of the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health. For integrative medicine professionals and students, the Academic Consortium is the world’s most comprehensive community for advancing the practice of whole healthcare, with leading expertise in research, clinical care, education, and policy. Ochsner’s integrative oncology program at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in New Orleans joins this community to further advance its holistic approach to cancer care.
“Innovation, community, humanity, and science are all core values of the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health,” said Academic Consortium Chair Amy Locke, MD. She added, “Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s commitment to developing and maintaining a robust and diverse integrative oncology program is exemplary of these values. We are thrilled to welcome them as our newest member.”
Under the leadership of Medical Director Elizabeth Lapeyre, MD, FACOG, ABOIM, Ochsner MD Anderson’s integrative oncology program supports patients in Louisiana at every step of their cancer journey. By bringing together a diverse group of healthcare providers, Ochsner MD Anderson provides integrative oncology care that includes nurse navigation, social services, mental health services, massage therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic yoga, integrative nutrition, meditation, and rehabilitative wellness services.
Ochsner Health continues to expand the infrastructure of their integrative services with current plans to add Tai Chi, music therapy, art therapy, and aromatherapy to their care program, in addition to increasing the frequency of Shared Medical Visit offerings. Further plans include the development of an on-site therapeutic food pantry to mitigate food insecurity and encourage healthier food choices.