HJBR Sep/Oct 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  SEP / OCT 2020 59 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com first two patients in the country for a new COVID- 19 study. Through the National Cancer Institute COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study (NCCAPS), researchers will explore how COVID-19 affects patients’ cancer treatments and outcomes as well as identify any genetic risk factors and mark- ers of severe COVID-19 cases in cancer patients. Patients currently undergoing testing or have already tested positive for COVID-19 are eligible to participate, but will be included in different research tracks with varied information collected. Any individual age 18 and older with a prior or current cancer diagnosis and is being tested for COVID-19 are eligible to participate. Many cancer patients experience an impaired immune system due to treatment for their dis- ease, and a COVID-19 diagnosis may disrupt their therapy, possibly impacting outcomes. Clinical researchers and physicians at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center are seeking to learn more about the long-term outcomes of cancer patients with COVID-19. Through NCCAPS, blood samples will be col- lected, along with medical information and cop- ies of medical images of approximately 2,000 can- cer patients that tested positive for COVID-19. Amassing this information will allow researchers to explore how COVID-19 affects patients’ cancer treatments and outcomes as well as identify any genetic risk factors and markers of severe COVID- 19 cases in cancer patients. “With innovative studies like this, we are able to contribute to the advancement of understand- ing the effects of this novel virus on our patients,” said David Hanson, MD, medical oncologist and hematologist at Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center and the organization’s local principal investigator in the NCCAPS study. “We are always striving for ways to improve survi- vorship and lessen the burden of cancer. Partici- pating in this study to help ensure all current and future cancer patients can still receive top quality treatment, even if battling a COVID-19 diagno- sis, is essential.” If a study participant’s COVID-19 test results are negative, researchers only will collect limited med- ical information and the participant will no longer continue with the study. “People with cancer are already facing the shock of a cancer diagnosis, the tribulations that accompany treatment, or the stress of survivor- ship. On top of that, we’re learning that people with cancer may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because their cancer, or its treat- ment, has left themmore vulnerable to complica- tions,” says James H. Doroshow, MD, NCI’s dep- uty director for clinical and translational research and director of the NCI Division of Cancer Treat- ment and Diagnosis. “NCCAPS will help scientists answer key questions about COVID-19’s impact on cancer patients, as well as cancer’s impact on the course of COVID-19. The findings have the poten- tial to influence the treatment of cancer patients with COVID-19 in the future.” Across Louisiana, 10 Mary Bird Perkins clinical trial network locations are participating in this nationwide study. The Cancer Center is collabo- rating with the Gulf South Minority/Underserved NCI Community Oncology Research Program (GS- MU-NCORP) to combine the facilities’ strengths and experiences to bring this state-of-the-art NCI study to Louisiana cancer patients. To protect all patients and healthcare providers, all research blood samples are collected at the same time blood is drawn for regular cancer care or COVID- 19 treatment. No additional visits to healthcare facilities are required. For more information on NCCAPS or other stud- ies and clinical trials, visit marybird.org or contact (225) 215-1353 or email clinicalresearch@mary- bird.com . FranciscanMissionaries of Our Lady Health System Welcomes NewCOO Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health Sys- tem (FMOLHS) welcomes Kevin Cook as its sys- tem chief operating officer to oversee the mar- ket operations of the $3.6B and more than 1,700 licensed beds healthcare organization serving Louisiana and Mississippi. “Kevin’s passion for Catholic healthcare and his operational expertise are uniquely aligned to our own mission and organizational goals at this exciting time in our history,” said Richard Vath, MD, president and CEO of FMOLHS. “He has a demonstrated track record for results, excel- lence and servant leadership in every organiza- tion in which he has served, including the Univer- sity of Mississippi Medical Center Health System in Jackson and Mercy Health Partners in Ohio and Pennsylvania.” Cook will oversee administrative functions and drive operational efficiencies for the health system including all acute care and ambulatory functions. He will also be responsible for standardizing pro- cesses across all system facilities, and support- ing the strategic growth and sustainability of the organization. Cook most recently served as CEO of Univer- sity of Mississippi Medical Center Health System in Jackson, Miss., where he oversaw a health sys- tem of more than 860 beds. Prior to that, he was with Mercy Health Partners where served in lead- ership roles in Cincinnati, in Scranton, and then in Toledo. He oversaw a number of projects at the regional health-system level, helping to improve financial performance through operational trans- formation. Cook earned a bachelor’s degree from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1991-1999. He earned a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University. In 2017, Cook was selected by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mis- sissippi’s top CEOs. Mitchell Promoted to North OaksWomen and Children’s Services Director Tamara Mitchell, MHA, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CCRN-K, has been promoted to director of women and children’s services for North Oaks Medical Center. For the past two years, Mitchell has served as the hospital’s clinical nurse manager for children’s services. She brings nearly 10 years of leadership Kevin Cook