Jonas Fontenot, PhD’s Post

Congratulations to OneOncology and 5 years of fulfilling its mission to improve the lives of everyone living with cancer. Since the beginning of our partnership with OneOncology in 2022, the company has enabled Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to help more Louisiana and Mississippi residents throughout their cancer journey. As the leading cancer care organization in the Gulf South, this partnership has been a key driver in our ability to remain independent and 100% focused on cancer. 

Remaining on the cusp of innovation means being on the forefront of life-saving care. Congratulations, LSU Associate Professor of Physics Dr. Rui Zhang for being awarded a $786,000 from the American Cancer Society for his research at Louisiana State University and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.   The Cancer Center’s commitment to bringing leading-edge research and innovative treatment options to the Gulf South is possible through partnerships with great institutions like LSU. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of the highest-quality care every day.   Dr. Zhang’s work on Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy will make treatment safer, more efficient and more cost effective. This can help overcome critical barriers in care. I am proud to support Dr. Zhang’s work and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Mary Bird Perkins and LSU’s collaborative efforts. Physics & Astronomy LSU #innovation #research #partnerships #oncology https://lnkd.in/g5V2uR5E

Congratulations, Jodi Conachen, on this new position! Jodi has proudly served Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center as VP of marketing and communication for nearly 4 years and she is passionate about the Cancer Center and those we serve. We look forward to Jodi’s leadership in the operational side of the organization and to her contributions! 

A recent controversial study has been circulating, downplaying the importance of colonoscopies. It is our responsibility, as leaders in cancer care, to question the validity of questionable research methodologies. Several local physicians, including our own Dr. Victor Lin, Ph.D., are speaking to the unwavering evidence that these exams remain the most effective way to prevent and detect colorectal cancer. Thank you to all the physicians who participated in this informative Q and A! I encourage everyone to read and learn more.

Education, science and philanthropy must converge to provide the best cancer care possible. This article outlines how education is layered in at a number of levels at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to advance a higher standard of care throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond. My hope is that this focus on learning will move other cancer organizations to implement similar programs, ensuring the most qualified people are in place everywhere to care for patients today and in the future. 

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“I trained at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center… The level of immersion and training was just outstanding. It helped bolster my understanding of medical physics and also helped me integrate into the clinical environment and hospital culture.” Read about how Suman Shrestha, MS, MSc is helping bring physics into hospital clinics and how the Mary Bird Perkins Medical Physics Program gave him the tools succeed.  #medicalphysics #marybirdperkins https://lnkd.in/eai2hpvy

Thanks to a partnership with Vysioneer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is advancing its use of artificial intelligence to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of radiation treatments by offering an extra set of eyes for physicians as they plan individualized treatment plans for patients. By utilizing data collected from Gamma Knife Icon treatments coupled with the data gathered from across our network, we can build the most sophisticated clinical support tools, which leads to better outcomes for our radiation therapy patients. We are excited to continue propelling cancer care forward through this incredible partnership. https://lnkd.in/guYJmtq

When an artist paints, they share their vision with us. They see the world in a way that is unique to them. But, in healthcare delivery, this subjectivity is not always desirable. Using the Knowledge-based planning method (KBP), we utilize data from various treatment plans to objectively set the dosage for radiation therapy. Research shows that this strategy produces significantly better outcomes. For more information on this research, please see this paper authored by me and my colleagues.