HJBR Nov/Dec 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  NOV / DEC 2022 39 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com physicians, and X-ray technicians. In addition to physician care, this complex will also house: • Ochsner Therapy & Wellness, using advanced techniques and leading-edge equipment to help patients of all ages prog- ress with a physical therapy team, develop- ing personalized recovery plans based on specific injuries, sports, and activity levels. • Ochsner Performance Training, a college- style strength and conditioning program for athletes of all ages and sports with several locations in South Louisiana. Since opening in 2018, Ochsner Performance Training has instructed and coached more than 10,000 athletes and more than 200 teams. • Elite Training Academy, a locally owned sports training center, aims to positively impact the minds and bodies of athletes through physical training, wellness treat- ment, academic support, and life skills prep- aration. Elite Training Academy provides sport-specific training, leagues, camps, and clinics for field sports, working with athletes of all ages and skill levels. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Announces CEO Succession Plan Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announced that Jonas Fontenot, PhD, MBA, will begin serv- ing as President and CEO in January 2023. Fon- tenot currently serves as chief operating officer and the Dr. Charles M. Smith chief of physics. The transition is the culmination of a succession plan adopted by the board to succeed Todd Ste- vens, the cancer center’s longtime CEO. Stevens will transition his time to concentrate on strate- gic business development and growth opportuni- ties to advance Mary Bird Perkins’ mission across its regional network. Fontenot is a board-certified medical physi- cist who has held more than $4 million in fund- ing from federal and industry sponsors. He is an author of more than 50 peer-reviewed research papers published in international journals, inven- tor of innovative cancer therapy technologies cur- rently used in clinical practice, and mentored doz- ens of graduate students and residents. Nationally, he has served on the editorial board of major scientific journals, serves on research grant review panels for the National Institute of Health’s cancer research programs, and is active on several councils that review and advise Medi- care on healthcare policy. Fontenot was the first medical physicist selected by the American Soci- ety for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to receive the ASTRO Health Policy Fellowship designation. Fontenot strongly values the cancer center’s culture of philanthropy and has been instrumen- tal in helping inspire philanthropic support as a champion for the Take the Fight Forward Initia- tive, Adaptive Radiation Therapy Program, and Dr. Charles M. Smith Medical Physics Program, in addition to establishing key resources in sup- port of innovative technology like the Gamma Knife Icon. Stevens’ focus on local access to quality cancer care has led to innovative partnerships that have established comprehensive cancer programs that are impacting every aspect of the cancer care continuum. These efforts have resulted in the provision of vital education, early detection, and treatment services to communities across Loui- siana and Southwest Mississippi. As the cancer center’s footprint has expanded, its vision, mis- sion, and services have also increased, now serv- ing more than 5,800 new patients each year. Throughout his tenure, Stevens spearheaded the recruitment of expert physicians and care team talent and the investment in state-of-the- art facilities focused on patient-centered care and leading-edge technology. He also drove the orga- nization’s emphasis on early detection resulting in the establishment of Mary Bird Perkins’ Preven- tion on the Go outreach program, which has pro- vided more than 100,000 free cancer screenings and access to navigation services. During Stevens’ tenure, the Mary Bird Perkins – LSU Medical Physics partnership was formed, opening up new and exciting areas of cancer research and educational opportunities in the field of medical physics. He was also instrumen- tal in Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s partic- ipation in two National Cancer Institute pro- grams — the NCI Community Cancer Center Program (NCCCP), which enhanced community cancer care across the country, and NCI’s Com- munity Oncology Research Program, an initiative increasing access to clinical trials for Gulf Coast residents. Capital Area Human Services Awarded $3.9MGrant Capital Area Human Services (CAHS) has been awarded a four-year federal grant, totaling $3.9 million to plan and develop a Certified Commu- nity Behavioral Health Clinic. The new grant was awarded from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and includes two Baton Rouge-based collaborat- ing agencies — LSU-Social Research and Evalu- ation Center and the Bridge Center for Hope. “The purpose of this planning and implementa- tion grant is to create a high quality, community behavioral health clinic to provide comprehen- sive, coordinated behavioral health care by estab- lishing certified round-the-clock services, includ- ing for those in crisis and especially to individuals facing health disparities,” said CAHS Executive Director Jan Laughinghouse. Behavioral health services will include any indi- vidual who seeks care, including those with seri- ous mental illness, substance use disorder includ- ing opioid use; children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance; individuals with co-occurring mental and substance disorders; and individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Through well-planned development, CAHS will pinpoint groups facing health disparities, com- munities, or pockets of communities by using research data, needs assessments, and commu- nity input to strategically implement a compre- hensive range of outreach, screening, assess- ment, treatment, care coordination, and recovery supports. One of the grant requirements specifies one licensed behavioral health specialist dedicated to active military and veterans as a part of the team. Other staff and elements will include a project director, project evaluator/evaluation team, three case managers, three peer support specialists, office manager, afterhours crisis mobile response, and 24/7 crisis stabilization services. “We are keenly aware of the increasing needs for behavioral health services throughout the Capital Area, particularly in our rural communi- ties, and this grant will provide the resources to provide greater access to those most in need,” Laughinghouse added.