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New & Noteworthy
Heather Johnson joins Mary Bird Perkins as Director of Early Detection & Education
[Baton Rouge, LA] – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is pleased to welcome Heather Johnson as director of early detection and education, serving as the leader of the organization’s longstanding Prevention on the Go community program. In this role, Johnson will work with a team that provides free mobile prevention, education and early detection services to communities throughout the region.
Johnson began her career at Mary Bird Perkins as an intern in 2012 and was then promoted to prevention and education specialist until 2015. During this time, she assisted with many projects for the organization such as SurviveDat, the Young Breast Cancer Survivors and Sun Safety programs.
Johnson was most recently employed by Cardiovascular Institute of the South where she was the medical practice administrator for clinics in New Iberia and Lafayette, LA.
As director of the Prevention on the Go community program, Johnson will oversee operations throughout southeast Louisiana, the Delta region and southwest Mississippi.
“We are excited to have Heather rejoin the Mary Bird Perkins team and help advance the organization’s mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer,” said Renea Duffin, vice president of cancer support and outreach. “She possesses an impressive amount of experience, dedication and passion that will be beneficial to our Prevention on the Go program, an initiative where we provide outreach and education and detect cancer at its earliest stage—the time when it is most treatable,” said Duffin.
Johnson obtained her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Louisiana State University and her master’s degree in public administration from Southern University Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington Expands Medical Staff with Two New Oncologists
[Covington, LA] – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington is welcoming two physicians to its growing medical staff, Genevieve Maronge, MD and Faizan I. Malik, MD, both medical and hematologist oncologists.
Maronge completed her residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans and fellowship at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport and is board certified in internal medicine as well as hematology/oncology. She is well known throughout Southeast Louisiana and will become part of Northshore Oncology Associates on Nov. 1. Maronge has worked with Mary Bird Perkins through its partnership with Terrebonne General Health System. She has also served on the medical staff for other local cancer programs.
Malik earned his Medical Doctor degree from King Edward Medical University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in pre-medicine from National Science College in Pakistan. He completed his residency at Abington Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Malik also completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.
Maronge and Malik will join Jack E. Saux, III, MD and James Carinder, DO, FACP, members of Mary Bird Perkins and Northshore Oncology Associates medical staff.
“We are so pleased to welcome oncologists with the caliber of expertise and wealth of experience Dr. Maronge and Dr. Malik offer,” Saux, a NOA medical oncologist. “Their stellar credentials are only matched by their passion for helping patients fight cancer.” For more information in Covington, visit marybird.org/Covington..
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s "Prevention on the Go" Celebrates 100,000 Screenings Milestone
[BATON ROUGE, LA] – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s ‘Prevention on the Go’ program recently celebrated a significant milestone of 100,000 cancer screenings. This achievement, which occurred during the Cancer Center 50th anniversary year, was recognized at a recent free breast and colorectal cancer screening at LSU Mid-City clinic.
Prevention on the Go is a comprehensive program that provides prevention and early detection services to detect cancer in its earliest stage when better outcomes are more likely. Using mobile medical clinics, Prevention on the Go provides services in locations where people live, worship and shop throughout southeastern Louisiana, southwestern Mississippi and beyond. Since the program began in 2002, over 750 cancers have been detected from over 2,500 screening events. The Prevention on the Go program also includes a workplace screening component. It is designed to easily integrate with existing wellness initiatives in the corporate setting and is able to fill the gap in cancer prevention by offering cancer specific education and screenings that can help save lives and reduce employer and employee healthcare expenses.
St. Tammany Parish Libraries Purchase Additional Laptops for Public use and Enhance Digital Collection through American Rescue Plan Act Grant
[COVINGTON, LA] - The St. Tammany Parish Library (STPL) recently received a $47,064 grant through the State Library of Louisiana as part of their $3,012,150 disbursement from the American Rescue Plan Act. A portion of the funding — $27,000 — will be used to purchase 35 new laptops to be used for computer classes for the public. The remainder of the funds will be used to purchase e-books to enhance the Library’s digital collection. “This funding will give us the opportunity to expand services to our patrons, and make an impact on our ability to provide additional digital resources,” said Kelly LaRocca, Director, St. Tammany Parish Library.
North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology Graduates 52nd Class Graduates Achieve 100% Pass Rate on ARRT Certification Exam and 100% Job Placement Rate
[HAMMOND, LA] — The 52nd graduating class of the North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology celebrated their accomplishments with a commencement ceremony on Thursday, July 15. Program Director Heather Koepp proudly shares that the day after graduation, Friday, July 16, all members of the class of 2021 passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national certification examination. In addition, all have secured jobs.
Graduates include: Daniel Garrett Addison of Independence, Jude Benton Fowler of Kentwood, Danielle Claire Giroir of Belle Rose, Ashley Elizabeth Herman of Covington, Ashleigh Janice Marr of Ponchatoula, Kayden MaKall McDaniel of Kentwood, Tiffany D. Quigley of Springfield and Natali Rose Scimeca of Tickfaw. Both Addison and Fowler are following in the footsteps of their fathers, who are alumni of North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology. Byron Addison graduated in 1991, and Justin Fowler graduated in 1997.
[HAMMOND, LA] — Mathew Mason, M.D., has joined Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology in Hammond and is accepting new patients.
[HAMMOND, LA] — Marylynn Nguyen, M.D., has joined Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology in Hammond and is accepting new patients.
The priorities of the grant are to enable the library’s digital inclusion efforts, particularly in support of education, health, and workforce development needs. Another priority of the grant is to support library services that meet the needs of communities including costs such as technology, materials, and equipment.
Dr. Ryan Enders Joins North Oaks Surgical Associates
[HAMMOND, LA] — General Surgeon Ryan J. Enders, D.O., has joined North Oaks Surgical Associates in Hammond.
