University Medical Center New Orleans (UMC) celebrated a major expansion of its Cancer Center, increasing capacity for advanced cancer treatment, specialty care, clinical research, and patient support while positioning the academic medical center to serve a growing number of patients from across Louisiana and the Gulf South.
The $2 million expansion, supported by federal funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), significantly increases the Cancer Center's clinical footprint and expands its exam and infusion capacity to 28 exam rooms and 25 infusion chairs. The additional space responds to significant growth in patient demand while creating capacity for new specialty programs, advanced technology, clinical trials, and greater multidisciplinary collaboration.
Accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, the UMC Cancer Center brings together 61 physicians representing 16 cancer specialties and supportive disciplines. Medical, surgical and radiation oncologists collaborate with specialists, researchers, nurses, navigators, dietitians, social workers, and other members of the care team to create individualized treatment plans for patients.
The center currently averages approximately 70 to 80 patient visits each day and more than 1,000 completed visits monthly. Nearly 2,000 new patient visits have been recorded so far in 2026, almost doubling the total amount of cancer cases managed at UMC in 2025.
The expanded Cancer Center creates additional capacity for established programs in breast cancer, gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology, thoracic oncology, hematologic malignancies, radiation oncology and other specialties while supporting the continued development of new and growing programs.
Among those capabilities are a dedicated Bone Marrow Transplant program and expanded Lung Nodule services designed to identify, evaluate and coordinate care for patients with suspicious pulmonary nodules.
The center is also continuing to expand comprehensive gastrointestinal oncology, genetics and hereditary cancer services, Phase I research and other highly specialized cancer programs.
Technology enhancements include ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy and expanded use of EON software to help identify and track both lung and pancreatic nodules, catching cancer while it is in its earliest stages and amenable to surgical cure. Upgraded breast, pelvic and microscope ultrasound systems and prostate biopsy equipment help diagnose and manage breast, gynecologic and prostate cancers.
As a major academic medical center working in partnership with LSU Health and Tulane University School of Medicine, UMC combines patient care with medical education, clinical research and the development of new therapies.
Pictured from left to right at the event are Eugene Green (New Orleans City Councilmember for District D); Tom Patrias (Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at University Medical Center ); Greg Feirn (Chief Executive Officer at LCMC Health); Richard DiCarlo, MD (Dean of the LSUHSC School of Medicine); Representative Troy Carter (Congressman for Louisiana's 2nd District); Representative Shaun Mena (Louisiana State Representative for District 23); Amelia Jernigan, MD (Cancer Service Line Director at LCMC Health; Gynecologic Oncologist with the LSU Health Sciences Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology) Julius Feltus; Senator Royce Duplessis (Louisiana State Senator for the 5th district).