Ochsner Cancer Institute

09/05/2025

Welcome, Guston (Gus) Zervoudakis, MD, to Ochsner Health! 🎉

Dr. Zervoudakis is an orthopedic oncology trained surgeon who specializes in treating cancers of the musculoskeletal system in both adults and children. He uses a team-based approach to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

With expertise in pediatric bone cancers, metastatic bone disease and adult bone and soft-tissue tumors, Dr. Zervoudakis uses advanced limb-salvage techniques and shared decision-making to achieve the best outcomes for his patients.

He is also actively involved in research focusing on metastatic bone disease, cancer pain management and innovative liquid biopsy applications.

🩺 Procedures he performs include:

• Limb-salvage oncologic surgery
• Surgical management of metastatic bone disease
• Complex tumor resections
• Amputations

Dr. Zervoudakis is now seeing patients at the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center, Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans and Ochsner Hospital for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.

Learn more about Dr. Zervoudakis and schedule an appointment here: https://ow.ly/aBPi50WS1As

09/04/2025

Join us for the "Protect the Prostate" cancer awareness event to learn about your health and connect with your community!

🗓️ Sept. 6, 2025
🕙 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
📍 Abundant Life Tabernacle Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1701 Franklin Avenue, New Orleans

"Protect the Prostate" is presented by Ochsner Health, Johnson & Johnson and community partner Abundant Life Tabernacle Full Gospel Baptist Church to advance a core mission to improve healthcare access and health outcomes during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Event highlights include:

🩺 Free health screenings (PSA tests, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol)
💈 Barbershop talks on Black male sexual and prostate health
💬 Expert panel featuring Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Dr. Brian Halbert and other leaders
🍎 Free lunch provided

Learn more: https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-health-with-johnson-johnson-and-abundant-life-tabernacle-to-host-protect-the-prostate/

08/29/2025

For Matthew Giglia, MD, patient care has two sides: the medical side and the human side.

It’s something Dr. Giglia, chief of surgery and colon and re**al surgeon at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, knew was important before he decided to be a doctor. And an approach that became even more clear when he volunteered at the makeshift hospital on LSU’s campus during Hurricane Katrina.

“Katrina showed me that not only are you dealing with the disease part of what they're presenting you with, but you're also dealing with the human side, which is arguably the more important side of what we do,” he said.

When Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005, Dr. Giglia was a sophomore at LSU.

He volunteered at the temporary hospital at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, taking vital signs of patients who were arriving by helicopter, delivering medicine and helping transport patients and their families. He also helped set up a donation center on campus.

Dr. Giglia grew up around hospitals and medicine. His dad was a doctor, and his mom was a nurse. He said he used to question whether he really wanted to be a doctor, or if was a path he was on because of his family.

“Katrina really removed all those doubts for me,” he said. “Seeing those nurses, seeing those doctors, showed me that I wanted to do this for my own path in life.”

Read more about Dr. Giglia’s Hurricane Katrina experience: https://ow.ly/bAWi50WOaGo

Learn more about Dr. Giglia: https://ow.ly/gPxn50WOaGp

08/28/2025

Join us Sept. 8 for a special prostate cancer awareness event at Ochsner Baptist.

Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center urologic oncologist Sean Collins, MD, will lead an informative discussion on prostate health and awareness, offering valuable insights into prevention, early detection and ongoing care.

Details:
🎗 Prostate Cancer Awareness Event
📅 Monday, Sept. 8, 2025
🕛 Noon to 2 p.m.
📍Ochsner Baptist Auditorium, 4429 Clara St., New Orleans, Louisiana

This event is open to the public and is especially relevant for men seeking to learn more about maintaining prostate health.

Learn more about Dr. Collins: https://ow.ly/htcN50WNRy2

08/19/2025

Thanks for having us at the Ascension Chamber of Commerce Business Expo!

We were proud to join the Ascension Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on Thursday, Aug. 15, and connect with neighbors, partners and local leaders who share our commitment to a healthier community. 🏢

Providers from Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center represented Ochsner Baton Rouge and shared how we are delivering nationally recognized cancer care close to home, so patients can access leading expertise, advanced treatments and compassionate support without leaving their community.

The keynote on resilient leadership reinforced a core belief we live every day: Strong leaders serve first and elevate others. That mindset guides our teams and strengthens the care we provide.

Thank you to Ascension Parish for the collaboration and trust. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community of care. 💙

Learn more about Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center at https://www.ochsner.org/services/cancer-care/cancer-services/.

Pictured below are Cheree Bodden, NP, a medical oncologist at Ochsner Health Center - Prairieville; Courtney Bozant, FNP, a hematology-oncology nurse practitioner at Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove; and Torri McClendon, director of clinical operations at Ochsner Baton Rouge.

08/14/2025

Mark your calendars for our annual Massages and Mammos event at Ochsner Baton Rouge! 📆

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove, you can get an annual screening mammogram in a relaxing, supportive atmosphere.

We'll have chair massages, light refreshments and auction items. And Ochsner’s breast health experts will be available to answer questions.

This event part of Mammo Month 2025, an initiative dedicated to promoting breast health across the Baton Rouge area.

Call 225-761-5380 to reserve your spot today.

Visit https://www.ochsner.org/ochsner-baton-rouge-mammo-month/ for more details.

08/12/2025

Meet Scott Sonnier, MD, a dedicated hematologist oncologist at Ochsner Health Center - Baptist Napoleon Medical Plaza.

Dr. Sonnier, who joined Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in March, treats each patient with compassionate care and a holistic approach. When coming up with a treatment plan, he considers how their condition might impact their family and personal life.

"One of the reasons I’ve joined Ochsner (is) the depth of care that they are able to provide for any patient with any condition," he said. "That’s hard to find any other place."

Learn more about Dr. Sonnier at https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/scott-anthony-sonnier-md

08/07/2025

We are so grateful for the support of Beth's Friends Forever! 🎗

08/04/2025

Pluvicto is a radioactive medication used to treat advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is designed for men whose prostate cancer has spread to other parts of their body and who no longer are responding to hormonal therapies or chemotherapy.

Learn more about this targeted therapy for prostate cancer, which is offered at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Covington, Louisiana: https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/what-is-pluvicto-5-things-to-know-about-this-prostate-cancer-treatment-drug/

Pluvicto is a targeted radiation therapy for advanced, PSMA-positive prostate cancer. Learn how it works, who it's for, how it's given and what side effects to expect.

08/01/2025

It is not known exactly what causes most bladder cancers, but there are risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop it.

Learn more about bladder cancer risk factors, symptoms and treatment options, including what happens when your bladder is removed, in this blog post from Ochsner MD Anderson oncologist Brian Halbert, MD: https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/bladder-cancer-symptoms-risk-factors-and-treatment-options-6-things-to-know/

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Learn more about bladder cancer risk factors and treatment options.

07/30/2025

Please join us in welcoming Meredith Collins, MD, FACS, to Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center!

Dr. Collins specializes in breast surgery, including reconstructive surgery for breast cancer, cosmetic breast procedures and pediatric breast surgery. She is considered a renowned expert in aesthetic breast reconstruction.

Learn more about Dr. Collins: https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/meredith-collins-md/

Join us in welcoming Meredith Collins, MD, FACS, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans!

Dr. Collins brings exceptional expertise in breast surgery, including reconstructive procedures for breast cancer, cosmetic breast surgeries and pediatric breast care. With a special focus on cancer care, she performs advanced microsurgical breast reconstruction techniques, such as deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and profunda artery perforator (PAP) flaps, as well as implant-based and oncoplastic breast reconstruction.

Renowned for her skill in aesthetic breast reconstruction, Dr. Collins is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care that restores both form and confidence.

To learn more about Dr. Meredith Collins or to schedule an appointment, visit https://ow.ly/4UVb50Wu5UY.

07/29/2025

U.S. News and World Report has named Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans the Best Hospital in Louisiana for the 14th year in a row!

Ochsner also received “High Performing” Procedure and Condition Awards for:
• Pulmonology and lung surgery
• Colon cancer surgery
• Gynecological cancer surgery
• Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma
• Lung cancer surgery
• Prostate cancer surgery

Learn more about Ochsner’s U.S. News & World Report rankings at https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-health-hospitals-named-louisianas-best/

To learn more about cancer care at Ochsner, visit https://www.ochsner.org/services/cancer-care/