HJBR Jul/Aug 2023

42 JUL / AUG 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs Medical Center, and Nathan Freeman, MD, Ochsner Health System in partnership with Baton Rouge General. “With the generous support of the EDA and in conjunction with our partners at Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, we are excited to offer this opportunity for our Baton Rouge Health District member institutions,” said Steven Ceulemans, executive director at the Baton Rouge Health District. “This initiative will create a launchpad to strengthen innovation, increase a culture of health, and continue to make Baton Rouge a des- tination for healthcare at the heart of a healthy and vibrant community. We look forward to see- ing these projects come to fruition in the com- ing months.” The Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards are designed to promote and support collaboration across Baton Rouge Health District Member Insti- tutions, while sparking and strengthening inno- vative networks that allow institutions, technol- ogy, industry, and community partners to work together and increase their impact. Clinical Trial Conducted by Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute Physician Leads to NewTreatment for Endometrial Cancer Patients Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute patients receiving treatment for late-stage endometrial cancer now have a new standard of care that could greatly enhance the likelihood of remis- sion and recovery thanks to a clinical research trial conducted in part by Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute oncologist Sobia Ozair, MD. Ozair served as a principal investigator on the nationwide study recently published in New Eng- land Journal of Medicine . The study found that adding immunotherapy to standard chemother- apy treatments greatly improved the chances of survival for patients with stage III or IV endo- metrial cancer (cancers in the inner lining of the uterus). Ozair has already begun utilizing the new stan- dard of care for her patients, who previously had few alternatives. Endometrial cancer is the most common can- cer of the female reproductive organs, with more than 66,000 women diagnosed in the U.S. each year. According to Ozair, this type of cancer is often not detected until its advanced stages, making treatment more difficult. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Opelousas General Health SystemWelcomes Oncologists Opelousas General Health System (OGHS) and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (Mary Bird Per- kins) have announced that two long-time oncol- ogists, Bryan Bienvenu, MD, and David Hanson, MD, FACP, are now accepting patients at the Cancer Center located on OGHS’ South Cam- pus, 3983 I-49 S. Service Road. The Cancer Center is also in the initial phases of offering new resources, including patient navi- gation, genetic services, telehealth palliative care services, a clinical trials program, and the adop- tion of a new electronic medical records system. In January 2023, Mary Bird Perkins and OGHS engaged in a partnership agreement to expand and enhance cancer care resources. Through this partnership, patients can access cancer care spe- cialists through Mary Bird Perkins — conveniently located close to home. Bienvenu received a medical degree from Lou- isiana State University Medical School in New Orleans. He attended undergraduate school at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he completed coursework in three years and was named a General College Distinguished Scholar. He completed an internship and residency at Earl K. Long Medical Center in Baton Rouge, where he earned the Lange Medical Publications Award. He chose to continue his training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York with a medical oncology fellowship. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, he focused on the clinical development of new therapeutic agents in phase I and early phase II clinical trials. Bienvenu was previously named one of the “Best Doctors” in America. Hanson is board-certified in medical oncology and internal medicine. He received an undergrad- uate degree in biological science at the University of Denver where he graduated summa cum laude and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association. He then received a medical degree at the University of Colorado School of Medicine where he graduated with honors. Hanson completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Colo- rado Health Science Center (UCHSC) where he received the Lange Award for outstanding per- formance in internal medicine. He chose to con- tinue his work at UCHSC, completing a fellow- ship in hematology and oncology. Hanson was named Fellow in the American College of Physi- cians, as well as being named one of the “Best Doctors” in America. “Cancer patients and their families are at the forefront of every decision we make at Mary Bird Perkins,” said Jonas Fontenot, PhD, MBA, CEO, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “St. Landry Par- ish has the highest cancer mortality rate in the Acadiana region and is among the top 10 par- ishes in Louisiana with the highest cancer death rate, according to the Louisiana Tumor Regis- try. We know that if we want to make a real dif- ference in reversing these health outcomes, we must provide the community with every treatment and support service in our toolbox. Together, David Hanson, MD, FACP Bryan Bienvenu, MD