Ochsner Cancer Institute

06/08/2026

Join us for Coffee and Kidney Cancer, an event for patients, caregivers and their family members to learn more about survivorship, existing kidney cancer treatments and new treatments.

Event details:

📅 When: Saturday, June 13
🕝 Time: 8 a.m. to noon
📍Location: 6th floor of The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center, 1515 River Road, Jefferson, Louisiana

At this event, participants will be able to interact closely with the multidisciplinary team of providers at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center. Patients also will have a chance to share their story and build their community of survivors who share in the experience of living with kidney cancer.

This event is sponsored in conjunction with the Kidney Cancer Association.

06/07/2026

June 7 is National Cancer Survivors Day, an annual celebration of life for cancer survivors.

It is also a day dedicated to bringing awareness to the continuous challenges faced by cancer survivors, and inspiring hope for those recently diagnosed.

We are honored to share Taysha Gibbs' story.

Taysha spent 27 years in the military, where she met her husband Josh. After being diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, Taysha faced her toughest battle yet.

Driven by her unwavering love for her two children, she faced her cancer diagnoses with courage and resilience, transforming her struggle into a remarkable story of survival and hope.

Today, Taysha is thriving. She has also started a foundation dedicated to supporting other cancer survivors.

Learn more about Taysha: https://ow.ly/FGyW50Z8eSX

Learn more about Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center at https://ow.ly/53i050Z8eT0

06/05/2026

Ochsner Baton Rouge is hosting a National Cancer Survivors Month celebration for survivors, caregivers, family members, healthcare partners and community members on Saturday, June 6 at Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove.

Learn more below. ⬇️

June is National Cancer Survivor Month, and we are honoring every step of the journey. 💜

Join us on Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parking lot of Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove in Baton Rouge for a morning dedicated to strength, determination and hope.

This event is for survivors, caregivers, family members, healthcare partners and community members — all ages welcome. Come together for music, food, door prizes, activities and the kind of connection that reminds us none of us walk this road alone.

RSVP today at 225-761-5649.

Event location:
Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove Parking Lot
10310 The Grove Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70836

06/02/2026

Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses a person's own immune system to find and destroy cancer cells.

June is .

Learn from Ochsner MD Anderson oncologist Daniel Johnson, MD, about advanced immunotherapy treatments available at Ochsner, including T-cell therapies, clinical trials and the future of cancer immunotherapy, in this episode of "Cancer Immunotherapy: Decoded."

"Decoded," a podcast by Ochsner Health, explores groundbreaking medical innovations and technology. Listen on your favorite streaming platform or watch now: https://ow.ly/JYA350Z6UVE

05/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Marie Barker, NP, to Ochsner Baton Rouge!

Marie is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in cancer care and sees patients at the Hereditary and High-Risk Clinic at Ochsner Medical Complex – The Grove in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Marie focuses on cancer risk assessment, preventive care and coordinating services for patients and families with genetic cancer concerns. She’s also an advocate for prevention and early detection and provides her patients with resources they need for prevention and screenings.

Marie earned her master's degree in nursing from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Please join us in welcoming Marie to the team! 💙

To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit: https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/marie-barker-fnp-c/

05/26/2026

Integrative oncology is a branch of cancer care that focuses on symptom management. The integrative oncology program at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center is designed to support a patient's overall well-being and promote a high quality of life both during and after treatment.

Integrative oncology services we offer include:
• occupational therapy
• therapeutic yoga
• nutrition
• art therapy
• acupuncture

Courtney Bozant, NP, at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center at Ochsner Cancer Center – Baton Rouge, said oncologists, support staff, social workers and dietitians work directly with each other to provide individualized care plans for each patient.

"We are all so closely interlinked and have great communication with each other that it just creates a very good home base for our patients," she said.

Learn more about integrative oncology services at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center: https://ow.ly/f2w750Z4ufK

05/25/2026

Regular cancer screenings can help catch issues early and save lives.

Learn about six essential cancer screenings women should be getting regularly. Talk to your doctor about which screenings are right for you and when to schedule them.

Read more on our blog: https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/5-cancer-screenings-every-woman-know-about/

John Cole, MD, an oncologist at Ochsner Health, shares six cancer screenings all women should know about, like breast cancer, cervical cancer and even skin cancer.

05/21/2026

A routine colonoscopy at age 45 helped Mel B. catch colon cancer early.

Thanks to timely screening and expert care from her team at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mel is now living with no evidence of disease.

“I think we’re so lucky here in New Orleans to have some of the best care available in the Gulf Coast region,” she said.

Mel's oncologist, Jonathan Mizrahi, MD, said colon cancer is being diagnosed in more younger adults, making early screening important. Colon cancer screening for average-risk patients is recommended at age 45.

Common symptoms, such as changes in bowel habits or unexplained bleeding, can sometimes be overlooked. Dr. Mizrahi recommends talking to your doctor if you notice any changes.

Learn more about Mel's story: https://www.fox8live.com/2026/05/13/screening-45-saved-new-orleans-womans-life-after-colon-cancer-diagnosis/

05/20/2026

Please join us in welcoming David Osafo, MD, to Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center!

Dr. Osafo, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist, treats patients with blood disorders and blood cancers. He is now seeing patients at Ochsner Cancer Center - Baton Rouge and Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove.

Dr. Osafo earned his medical degree from the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, and completed his residency at Stroger Hospital of Cook County in Chicago. He is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology and the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Osafo is passionate about providing individualized care to his patients, and is dedicated to working closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide personalized treatment plans.

Dr, Osafo and his family are happy to be in Baton Rouge! Outside of work, look for him running, cycling and golfing around the city.

Dr. Osafo, we're glad you're here!

Learn more about Dr. Osafo and schedule an appointment: https://ow.ly/HSuo50Z2tcU

05/19/2026

Congratulations to Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center oncologist Melanie Sheen, MD, on being named an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Advocacy Champion! 🎉

The ASCO recognizes advocacy champions for their dedication to advocating on behalf of cancer care providers, patients and researchers by engaging and educating lawmakers on important policies that help ensure patients have access to high quality cancer care.

Additionally, Dr. Sheen is one of nine advocates listed as an Advocacy Champion at the President’s Circle level. Champions at this level participate in four or more of ASCO’s advocacy activities throughout the year, and at least two activities involving meetings with lawmakers.

Dr. Sheen, thank you for being an advocate for your patients, peers and the future of cancer care!

Learn more about Dr. Sheen: https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/melanie-sheen/