HJBR Nov/Dec 2022

36 NOV / DEC 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs PhD in biological sciences from LSU. Newton completed a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southeastern Louisiana Univer- sity and a master’s in nursing at the University of Phoenix. She then earned a degree as a family nurse practitioner from the University of Louisi- ana at Lafayette. Baton Rouge General Louisiana Sleep Founda- tion is located at 4660 Bluebonnet Blvd. FEMA Funeral Assistance Remains Available for COVID-19-Related Deaths The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, especially those who suffered loss due to the virus. Nothing can replace loved ones, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency may be able to help ease the financial burden that comes with that loss. Those who had COVID-19-related funeral expenses can apply for FEMA Funeral Assistance by calling (844) 684-6333. Phone lines are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, Monday through Friday, with multilingual services available. Applicants requir- ing relay services, such as a videophone, Innocap- tion, or CapTel, must provide FEMA a specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact applicants. There is currently no deadline to apply for aid. The criteria to qualify for assistance includes: • The person died of COVID-19. • The death occurred in the U.S. • The applicant paid for funeral, burial, or cre- mation costs after Jan. 20, 2020. • The applicant is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or qualified refu- gee. The deceased does not need to meet these qualifications. When applicants call for assistance, they need to provide the following information: • Social security number. • Date of birth. • Current mailing address and phone number. • The deceased’s date of birth. • Location of deceased’s death. • Information about any funeral or burial insurance policies. • Information about other funeral assistance received, such as donations or CARES Act grants. Eligibility determinations are based on the sub- mission of all required documents. Additional information and answers to frequently asked questions about the application process can be found on FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQ web page. Victor T. G. Lin, MD, PhD, to LeadMary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Clinical Research Program, Precision Medicine Strategies Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has announced that Victor T. G. Lin, MD, PhD, has joined the organization to oversee its expanded clinical research program and genetic services clinic for patients across the region. Lin was pre- viously an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology. Through Mary Bird Perkins’ enhanced clinical research program, a greater number of trials are now available to more people. At the same time, the cancer center has opened a genetic services clinic, an asset that will help bolster cancer pre- vention and precision medicine strategies. Lin’s practice is located in Baton Rouge at 4950 Essen Lane, but patients from across Mary Bird Perkins’ network have access to the clinic’s full range of services. He has also joined Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, providing care to patients, particularly with clinical trials and genetics needs. His major clinical interests include precision oncology and molecularly targeted therapies, thoracic oncology, and sarcoma. Lin is board-certified in internal medicine, med- ical oncology, and hematology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He holds a Bache- lor of Science in biochemistry from Brown Uni- versity, a PhD in cellular biology, and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alabama at Bir- mingham. Lin also completed an internal medi- cine residency and hematology oncology fellow- ship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Andrea (Ani) Murphy, FNP-C, ACGN, CGRA, is working closely with Lin in the genetics clinic to provide patients with the highest-quality experi- ence. She is a family nurse practitioner who has completed the City of Hope Intensive Course in Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment and is a mem- ber of their Clinical Cancer Genomics community of practice. Currently, there are more than 1,000 members across all 50 states and 27 countries. Murphy also has a Cancer Genetic Risk Assess- ment Certification through the National Consor- tium of Breast Centers, Inc. and is certified as an advanced clinical genomics nurse through the Nurse Portfolio Credentialing Commission. She was the first nurse practitioner in the state to receive this credential. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Honors Community Leaders Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center recently rec- ognized persons and presented several presti- gious awards, named after individuals who made meaningful differences in the fight against cancer. These awards honored Bob and Alice Greer; Tay- lor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips law firm; and Frederic T. Billings, III, MD. “This year’s honorees all exemplify decades of dedication to the Cancer Center and its mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer,” said Tom Adamek, chairman, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center board of directors. “Their collective effort has played a remarkable role in the enhancement and expansion of cancer care across southeast Louisiana and southwest Missis- sippi that continues to this day.” The Hillar C. Moore, Jr., Memorial Outstand- ing Leadership Award recognizes those whose service has made a significant and unique con- tribution to the cancer center’s philanthropic ini- tiatives. This year, the award was presented to Bob and Alice Greer. Both cancer survivors, Bob Victor T. G. Lin, MD, PhD