Transforming Cancer Care in Louisiana
and the Gulf South

LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center at a Glance

At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, our mission is clear: to transform cancer research and care for Louisiana and the Gulf South. We are more than a cancer center. We are a state-wide hub for innovation, precision medicine, and community impact, dedicated to preventing, detecting, and treating cancer in every corner of our state.

Our multidisciplinary teams of researchers, clinicians, and educators work side by side to push the boundaries of cancer science. From the lab to the patient’s bedside, we turn groundbreaking discoveries into real-world solutions that improve outcomes and save lives.

Our Research and Clinical Impact

  • Innovative Research Programs – Spanning translational oncology, cancer biology, and population sciences, our work informs prevention strategies, advances treatment approaches, and improves survival rates across diverse populations.

  • Gulf South Clinical Trials Network – An NCI award-winning network bringing cutting-edge therapies to patients close to home, expanding access to novel treatments throughout Louisiana.

  • Louisiana Tumor Registry – One of the nation’s most comprehensive registries, providing real-time, zip-code-level data to guide evidence-based strategies that reduce the state's cancer burden.

  • Community Outreach & Engagement – Partnering with trusted local organizations to address health inequities, expand cancer screenings, improve education, and ensure research reflects the needs of the communities we serve.

Serving Louisiana: Our Catchment Area

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines our catchment area as the entire state of Louisiana, a region marked by cultural richness, geographic diversity, and some of the nation’s highest cancer rates. We focus our efforts where the need is greatest, using science, data, and strong local partnerships to drive measurable improvements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and care. 

Building a World-Class Cancer Center

In February 2022, LSU and LCMC Health joined forces to create a unified Cancer Center designed to elevate cancer research and care across Louisiana and the Gulf South. This partnership strengthened our ability to align discovery, clinical care, and community engagement within a single, coordinated enterprise.

Together we are building the infrastructure, talent, and collaborative culture that define the nation's leading cancer centers. Advancing innovative research, expanding access to precision medicine and clinical trials, and training the next generation of cancer scientists and clinicians

Our vision is bold and enduring: to lead through discovery, collaboration, and compassion delivering lasting impact for patients and communities across Louisiana.

Year Founded

Founded in 1990

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Our Leadership

 

Dr. Ramos

Lucio Miele, Ph.D

Director, LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center

Dr. Ochoa

 Augusto Ochoa, MD

Deputy Director, LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center

 

 

Leadership Team

Jiri Adamec, PhD
Associate Director, Shared Resources

Michael D. Celestin Jr, PhD, CHES, CTTS
Director, Louisiana Tobacco Control Initiative
Co program lead, Cancer Research Training & Education

Taryn Chevis
Associate Director, Administration

Joseph Francis, PhD
Director, Center for Pre-Clinical Cancer Research
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

Amelia Jernigan, MD
Medical Director of Cancer Services, University Medical Center
Division Director, Gynecologic Oncology

Balveen Kaur, PhD
Associate Director of Translational Science
Vice Chair of Research, Depart of Neurosurgery

Robert Kesterson, PhD
Professor, Dept. of Cancer Precision Medicine
Pennington Biomedial Research Center

Patrick Ma, MD, PhD
Section Chief, Hematology/Oncology
Assoicate Drirector of Clinical Research

Eileen Mederos, RN
Administrative Director, Clinical Trials 

Yazmin Odia
Medical Director, Clinical Trials Office

Oren Tom
Senior Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research
Associate Professor of Pathology & Translational Pathobiology
Assoicate Professorof Molecular & Cellular Physiology
LSU Shreveport

Krzysztof Reiss, PhD
Program Leader, Translational and Clinical Cancer Research 
Director, Neurological Cancer Research

Lee Sabatini
Associate Director of Communications

Qiang Shen, MD, PhD
Program Leader, Translational and Clinical Cancer Research  

Shou-Ching Tang, MD, PhD, FACP, FRCPC
Director, Early Phase Unit

Edward Trapido, ScD, F.A.C.E.
Dean, LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health
Program Leader, Population Sciences and Cancer Controls 

Fern Tsien, PhD
Associate Director, Cancer Research Training & Education

John West, PhD
Program Leader, Cancer Biology

Donna Williams, MS, MPH, DrPH
Associate Director, Community Outreach & Engagement

Charles Wood, PhD
Associate Director, Basic Research

Lang Wu, PhD
Associate Director, Population Science
Co Program Lead, Population Sciences and Cancer Controls

 

 

Administration

Taryn Chevis, Associate Director of Administration   Hong Nguyen, Business Manager
Jeff Rubin, Data and Reporting Manager David Whaley, Director of Contracts Administration 
Heidi Davis, Director, Sponsored Research and Development  Brandi Burns, Associate Business Manager (HR)
Susan Theodosiou, Grants and Development Specialist (pre-award) Adonica Davis, Associate Business Manager (Clinical Trials)
Diane Blair, Grants and Contracts Specialist  Victoria Dixon, Grants and Contracts Specialist (post-award)
Clayton Sanford, Purchasing Coordinator B.J. Lovell, Grants and Contracts Specialist (NCORP)
Jasmine Billips, Department Coordinator  Joell Lee, Department Operations Cooridnator 

 

Contact Us

LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center
1700 Tulane Ave., 9th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70112

Phone: (504) 210-2828
Fax: (504) 210-2970

Media Inquiries: Lee Sabatini, Associate Director of Communications - Lsabat@lsuhsc.edu or 504-210-2982.

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