HJNO Mar/Apr 2025

54 MAR / APR 2025 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS MEDICAL SOCIETY COLUMN MEDICAL SOCIETY AS WE STEP into the next season, we anticipate both challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving field of medicine. With ongoing changes in the regulatory landscape, our active participation in shaping the system has never been more critical. Medical societies play a pivotal role in advocating for policies that prioritize patient-centered care and support the needs of physicians. Organizations like MASELA, JPMS, and OPMS are here to empower physicians, ensuring that our voices are heard and that we continue to advocate effectively for our patients. I would like to introduce the new leadership for our medical societies this year. Lindsay R. York, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician with over two decades of experience in providing comprehensive healthcare to infants, children, and adolescents in the New Orleans area. She earned a medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 2003 and completed a pediatric residency at Tulane University School of Medicine in 2006. York also holds a Master of Public Health in tropical medicine from Tulane University School of Public Health. Throughout her career, York has demonstrated a commitment to pediatric healthcare through various leadership roles and clinical practices. She serves as the vice-chair of pediat- rics at West Jefferson Medical Center and is a member of the Preferred Physicians Insurance Company, as well as the president of the Jefferson Political Action Committee. York is affiliated with multiple medical facilities, including Tulane Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, and West Jefferson Medical Center, and is fluent in both English and Spanish, enhancing her ability to serve a diverse patient population. John Cole, MD, is a distinguished medical oncologist, specializing in breast cancer treatment and clinical research. He earned a medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. He is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology, and med- ical oncology. Since joining Ochsner Health in 1989, Cole has been instrumental in advancing cancer care as the director of clinical cancer research at Ochsner and scientific director for Ochsner at the Louisiana Cancer Research Center. His research primarily focuses on clinical trials targeting breast cancer, and he actively participates in NCI-coordinated studies as the principal investi- gator for Ochsner in the Gulf South Minority-Based National Cancer Institute Clinical Oncology Research Program. Cole’s contributions to oncology have been recognized by his inclusion as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2017 and features in publications such as Louisiana Life Magazine and New Orleans Magazine. Additionally, he has received the “Patient’s Top Choice” award from U.S. News & World Report, reflecting his dedication to delivering exceptional care and earning high patient satisfaction ratings. MASELA, JPMS, AND OPMS Celebrate New Leadership LINDSAY YORK, MD JPMS President JOHN COLE, MD OPMS President