HJBR Jan/Feb 2020

62 JAN / FEB 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Hospital Rounds stage detection. While more effective treatment therapies are always under investigation, the pan- creatic cancer care experts at Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center are attempt- ing to improve these statistics with a new high-risk pancreatic cancer screening program. Most pancreatic cancers are identified late, which often makes the disease inoperable and incurable. In Louisiana, 900 new pancreatic cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed this year and approximately 700 people will die of the disease. The Cancer Center’s Hepatobiliary Multidisci- plinary Cancer Care Team--consisting of surgeons, gastroenterologist, medical and radiation oncol- ogists, pathologists, and geneticists--developed this first of its kind high-risk pancreatic cancer screening program in the state, created specifi- cally for individuals with a risk of developing pan- creatic cancer. “While there is still much research to be done on preventing pancreatic cancer development, the next best thing we can do is detect it at an earlier stage where there is a better chance for a cure,” said John Lyons, MD, surgical oncologist and chair of the Cancer Center’s Hepatobiliary Multidisci- plinary Cancer Care Team. “There are subgroups of patients who are known to have a higher risk either because of genetic mutations or family his- tory. Our goal is to identify people with the high- est risk of developing pancreatic cancer and enroll them into our program, allowing us to person- alize a prevention and screening plan based on their risk factors.” In addition to those with inherited genetic muta- tions and those with a family history, other pre- dispositions include certain types of pancreatic cysts or certain types of inflammatory conditions of the organ. Pancreatic cancer can develop from two kinds of cells in the pancreas--exocrine cells that pro- duce enzymes to aid in digestion and neuroendo- crine cells that make and release hormones that control bodily functions. Exocrine is most com- mon and is typically more aggressive. Currently, surgery is the only potential curative option, but because the vast majority of patients are diag- nosed late in the disease process, surgery is via- ble for a small percentage of patients. However, through the high-risk screening clinic, physicians can catch the disease before symptoms appear and the disease has spread. Early detection tools consist of bloodwork, genetic testing, an MRI of the abdomen, and an endoscopic ultrasound. How these tests are used and the frequency in which they are administered are based on individual risk and need. Patients who are not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will be place into surveillance to monitor any changes. Individuals who believe they may fit the criteria of the Cancer Center’s high-risk pancreatic pro- grammay call (225) 769-5656 or visit marybirdlake/ pancreas. FranciscanMissionaries of Our Lady University Celebrates 96 Years, Honors Community Leaders Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) recognized the service contributions of three alumni and one community leader during the 2019 Fête des Fidèles annual fundraiser. In addition to the annual awards, the event cele- brated 96 years of Franciscan servant leadership by honoring the reunion years of the alumni in attendance.  The event was held at L’Auberge. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s Fête des Fidèles, a French phrase meaning “feast of the faithful”, benefits student scholarships and new program development. The 2019 honorees and their bios are listed here: Franciscan Impact Award — Sue Catchings, Director, Healthcare Centers in Schools Sue Catchings established service-learning part- nerships with colleges, and universities, and trade schools across the state of Louisiana to form col- laborative relationships with healthcare profes- sional students and faculty to address the health- care needs of the East Baton Rouge Public School (EBRPS) students. In 2012, Mrs. Catchings formed a Service-learning Partnership with OLOL College School of Nursing and recently with the Physician Assistant Program in two health centers with inte- grated medical/mental health service and serv- ing a rural population in grades pre-K through 12th grade. Distinguished Alumni Award — Rebecca Sim- oneaux, Asst. Professor Radiologic Technology Program, Current Faculty Member (Class of 1997) Rebecca has over 21 years of experience in the WOMAN’S HOSPITAL WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF Woman’s Hospital recently welcomed Chad Matrana as executive chef. Matrana comes to Woman’s with a wealth of experience in the culinary field including an apprenticeship in Florence, Italy and a career that began at Commander’s Palace. Matrana has worked for 15 years in fine dining, and most recently, served as executive chef at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.