HJNO Jan/Feb 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JAN / FEB 2023 39 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com chapters are sponsored by individual donors or corporations, which is great, but this is a unique situation. An opportunity to have a presence in a place like New Orleans, a great sports town with a high number of veterans, it makes so much sense to have a chapter there.” SukeshManthri, MD, AppointedMedical Director of Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Sukesh Manthri, MD, a board-certified medical oncologist, was appointed medical director of Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Manthri is also board-certified in internal medicine, hospice, and palliative care. He special- izes in various cancers, including breast, lung, GI, lymphoma, and myeloma. As medical director, Manthri will be responsi- ble for the overall clinical oversight of the group and medical oncology program in collaboration with the Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center leadership team. Manthri will over- see the program, develop regional alliances and actively participate in strategic growth and devel- opment planning. He will work with the leader- ship team to devise policies and procedures to accomplish designated goals. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve in this important role. Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is fortunate to have such excellent cancer treatment capabilities with our dedicated, outstanding and compassionate experts. I am excited about the cancer center renovation that expands options for world-class care that is exceptional, and close to home,” said Manthri. Manthri received a medical degree from the Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences in India. He completed a clinical research fellowship at Cleve- land Clinic Florida and an internal medicine resi- dency at Southern Illinois University in Springfield. Subsequently, he completed a hospice and pal- liative medicine fellowship at Saint Louis Univer- sity. Manthri completed an oncology fellowship at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City. LCMCHealth Announces Partnerships to Address Cultural Competency LCMC Health announced community partner- ships with three local LGBTQ+ organizations — House of Tulip, LGBT Community Center of New Orleans, and the New Orleans Advocates for LGBTQ+ Elders (NOAGE) — to offer its hos- pitals a series of cultural competency programs to better serve the LGBTQ+ community. LCMC Health will educate system and hospital staff by launching partner-led trainings focused on the best ways to engage with LGBTQ+ patients of all ages and backgrounds. This pro- gram will enhance communication with patients and the community and increase equitable expe- riences by eliminating barriers with customized training programs and hands-on community ini- tiatives that create inclusive environments and improve outcomes. “As a major community healthcare provider in the greater New Orleans area, we have a respon- sibility to advance equitable and inclusive care for all individuals and families. We play a special role in enhancing community experiences by training providers and staff with ways to offer competent, sensitive care to LGBTQ+ patients, while also ensuring our employees feel that same sense of inclusion,” said Toni Flowers, MD, chief diversity and social responsibility officer for LCMC Health. LCMC Health is also taking steps to establish a ranking on the healthcare equity index for the Human Rights Campaign, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- gender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organiza- tion. Despite recent progress, the Human Rights Campaign reports that many LGBTQ+ individ- uals are still greatly impacted by violence, dis- crimination, and fear, particularly those that are trans, people of color, and HIV positive. Imple- menting strong partnerships will support the spe- cific needs of the LGBTQ+ community. NewOrleans Heart Walk Raises $235K for Research, Community Programs The New Orleans area Heart Walk participants and teams came together on Nov. 19 at The Shrine on Airline to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise funds, and encourage physical activity. Thanks to local sponsors, community teams, and more, approximately $235,000 was raised to support research and community pro- grams to build a healthier community. The 2022 New Orleans Heart Walk was led by Kyle Shar- bonno, vice president of Gootee Construction, Inc. Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Announces $4M + Renovation, Expansion of Facility Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announced a significant renovation and expansion of its facility located in Houma. Con- struction is currently underway and will conclude in Fall of 2023. The more than $4 million renova- tion includes modernizing building systems, add- ing key cancer support services, enhancing radi- ation technology, and expanding the location by more than 15,336 square feet. “This renovation and expansion project is about bringing even more state-of-the-art, comprehen- sive services to patients in the Bayou Region in a calming, comforting environment,” said Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO of Terrebonne Gen- eral Health System. “Our goal continues to be laser-focused on providing the best and most up- to-date clinical cancer care in the region.” Peoples also noted that all Cancer Center ser- vices will continue as normal during the renova- tion period; teammembers are working to ensure patient safety and comfort throughout the pro- cess. She added that the project was designed first and foremost with patients’ needs and pref- erences in mind. As part of the project, the infusion center will be relocated to the third floor of the clinic, and changes will include: Sukesh Manthri, MD