HJBR Nov/Dec 2021

50 NOV / DEC 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs A total of 150 organizations were selected out of more than 350 submissions. This award pro- gram identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide. Modern Healthcare partners with the Best Com- panies Group on the assessment process, which includes an extensive employee survey. MorganM. Bankston, MD, Joins LouisianaWomen’s Healthcare Louisiana Women’s Healthcare (LWH) wel- comes Morgan M. Bankston, MD, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). Bankston will begin seeing patients in her private practice with LWH on the campus of Woman’s Hospital Sept. 1, 2021. The University High of Baton Rouge graduate completed undergraduate studies at the Univer- sity of Georgia in Athens. After obtaining a med- ical degree at Louisiana Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, she completed an OB/GYN resi- dency at the University of Tennessee Health Sci- ence Center in Memphis, where she served as chief resident from 2020-2021. While there, her specialized training focused on minimally invasive and robotic gynecological surgery, contraception management, and high- and low-risk obstetrics. Bankston will see patients on the second floor at Louisiana Women’s Healthcare, located at 500 Rue de la Vie, Suite 100 in Baton Rouge on the campus of Woman’s Hospital. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, OneOncology Partner Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and OneOn- cology announced the organizations have signed a letter of intent to become partners with an agreement set to be signed this fall. Mary Bird Perkins is an independent, com- munity-owned nonprofit organization serving patients throughout Southeast Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi. The cancer center aligns with OneOncology’s focus on enhancing com- munity-based cancer care. OneOncology brings to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center resources, access to a broad network of physicians across the country, information technology assets and national buying power. The OneOncology and cancer center’s partnership is anticipated to fuel program growth, reduce costs for patients and expand access to clinical trials. “This is an exciting time for Mary Bird Per- kins and the board is in support,” said Art Favre, board chairman, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “OneOncology lines up with our founding princi- ples established 50 years ago to focus exclusively on advancing cancer outcomes.” “Partnering with OneOncology is yet another milestone for Mary Bird Perkins as we recognize our 50 years of community-based cancer care,” said Todd Stevens, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “It’s a strategic move for the organization that supports our continued phi- losophy of focusing 100% on cancer. OneOncol- ogy and Mary Bird Perkins believe that focus- ing solely on the needs of individuals impacted by cancer by elevating doctor-patient relation- ships and bolstering technology, medicine and other key initiatives are critical in keeping pace with the rapid innovations in the field. We want to empower and involve physicians throughout the decision-making process because it leads to better outcomes.” Joining Mary Bird Perkins in partnership with OneOncology are the largest radiation and med- ical oncology groups across the state that have worked with the cancer center for decades. Those practices are Southeastern Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group, which provides radiation ther- apy throughout Mary Bird Perkins’ service areas, and Northshore Oncology Associates, serving St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, specifically the communities of Covington and Slidell. In late 2021 or early 2022, Louisiana Hematology Oncol- ogy Associates, which services the Greater Baton Rouge area, is expected to join the partnership. “As oncologists, we look forward to the advances OneOncology will bring to the table. The company will also aid us in driving the future of cancer care delivery through a patient-centric, physician-driven and technology-powered model to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer,” said Charles Wood, MD, medical direc- tor, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “We’ve been tracking Mary Bird Perkins’ prog- ress for several years and its focus on putting the doctor-patient relationship at the forefront of decision-making and innovation is parallel with our culture,” said Jeffrey Patton, MD, CEO, OneOncology. “Keeping cancer care as patient focused as possible and putting resources in physicians’ hands is perfectly aligned with our approach and mission. Cancer is a complex dis- ease that requires complete focus. We have already identified a number of ways we can assist in amplifying Mary Bird Perkins’ expertise.” Through the remainder of the calendar year, the Cancer Center and OneOncology will finalize plans and identify opportunities to optimize the partnership, which is effective this fall. NeuroMedical Center Neurology Department Adds Stroke Specialist The NeuroMedical Center announced that Ashok Reddy Polu, MD, has joined the Neurology Department as its second full-time neurohospital- ist. Along with advanced training in stroke and neurological conditions, Polu brings a special- ized understanding of caring for patients in the hospital setting. Polu will officially begin seeing patients at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge alongside Gary J. Walker, MD, in September 2021. Polu obtained a medical degree from Ameri- can International Medical University in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. Relocating to the United States in 2015, Polu completed an internship in prelimi- nary medicine at Presence Saint Joseph Hospi- tal in Chicago before completing a residency in neurology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky. Most recently, Polu completed a fellowship in vascular neurol- ogy from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Polu is board-certified in neurology and board- eligible in vascular neurology. He becomes NMCC’s ninth neurologist on staff. n Morgan M. Bankston, MD