HJBR Sep/Oct 2021

34 SEP / OCT 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs represent a diverse mix of small and large research sites at community- and academic- based oncology programs, which will allow ASCO and ACCC to draw actionable conclu- sions about effectiveness of tools and training in a variety of research and clinical settings. “The Cancer Center is proud to participate in such an important and needed program,” said Cyndi Knox, director of clinical research, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “We have a long history of outreach to diverse communities and we are looking forward to being part of a project that will quickly impact cancer patients. This is especially important for patients from racial and ethnic groups historically underrep- resented in clinical trials, but it is also key for the entire cancer research community.” North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology Holds Commencement The 52nd graduating class of the North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology celebrated their accomplishments with a commencement cere- mony July 15. Program Director Heather Koepp shared that the day after graduation, all members of the class of 2021 passed the American Registry of Radio- logic Technologists (ARRT) national certification examination. In addition, all have secured jobs. The North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology class of 2021 includes Ashleigh Jan- ice Marr of Ponchatoula; Kayden MaKall McDan- iel of Kentwood; Tiffany D. Quigley of Springfield; standing from left, Danielle Claire Giroir of Belle Rose; Ashley Elizabeth Herman of Covington; Daniel Garrett Addison of Independence; Jude Benton Fowler of Kentwood; and Natali Rose Scimeca of Tickfaw. Both Addison and Fowler are following in the footsteps of their fathers, who are alumni of North Oaks School of Radio- logic Technology. Byron Addison graduated in 1991, and Justin Fowler graduated in 1997. Com- mencement was held at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center with social distancing mea- sures in place. Heather Johnson Joins Mary Bird Perkins as Director of Early Detection and Education Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center welcomed Heather Johnson as director of early detection and education, serving as the leader of the orga- nization’s longstanding Prevention on the Go community program. In this role, Johnson will work with a team that provides free mobile pre- vention, education and early detection services to communities throughout the region. Johnson began her career at Mary Bird Perkins as an intern in 2012 and was then promoted to prevention and education specialist until 2015. During this time, she assisted with many projects for the organization such as SurviveDat, the Young Breast Cancer Survivors and Sun Safety programs. Johnson was most recently employed by Car- diovascular Institute of the South, where she was the medical practice administrator for clinics in New Iberia and Lafayette. As director of the Prevention on the Go com- munity program, Johnson will oversee operations throughout Southeast Louisiana, the Delta region and Southwest Mississippi. Johnson obtained a bachelor’s degree in bio- logical sciences from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Southern University Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. n The North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology class of 2021 includes, seated from left, Ashleigh Janice Marr of Ponchatoula; Kayden MaKall McDaniel of Kentwood; Tiffany D. Quigley of Springfield; standing from left, Danielle Claire Giroir of Belle Rose; Ashley Elizabeth Herman of Covington; Daniel Garrett Addison of Independence; Jude Benton Fowler of Kentwood; and Natali Rose Scimeca of Tickfaw. Heather Johnson