Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through our mission to serve, heal, lead, educate and innovate.
The Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies program is dedicated to bringing early-phase clinical trials to the Gulf South.
We are bringing promising early phase clinical trials to the region, helping patients stay close to family during treatment and follow up.
We are one of the largest clinical research networks in the Gulf South.
Advanced Early Phase Trials
Patients have access to a broad portfolio of phase 1 and 2 trials, allowing patients to stay closer to home for these ground-breaking, novel therapies.
Multidisciplinary Team and Support
Ochsner’s Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies Program provides an experienced staff including nurses, doctors, researchers, technicians, laboratory personnel, infusion staff, schedulers and a concierge, fully dedicated to our early phase trial cancer patients. Our team, along with dedicated labs and clinical space makes our program the most comprehensive of its type in the region.
Molecular Tumor Boards
Our physicians collaborate with leading translational scientists at the forefront of modern molecular medicine to review the results of genetic sequencing, proteomics and other advanced studies and create customized treatment plans based on the most up-to-date research and data.
A Legacy of Innovative and
Collaborative Cancer Care
FACT: In 1939, Dr. Alton Ochsner conducted research on pulmonary malignancy and the link between smoking and lung cancer.
The Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies Program offers access to the latest in cancer therapeutics, research and advanced diagnostics.
Ochsner’s longstanding tradition of bringing physicians together to improve health outcomes continues today. The unique combination of patient care, research and education coupled with our multidisciplinary team sets our program apart. Ochsner physicians are at the forefront of modern molecular medicine, creating customized treatment plans based on the most up-to-date research and data.
Our innovative approach to cancer care involves not only cutting-edge technology, but also impactful clinical research and fundamental improvements in how cancer care is delivered. The Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies Program is the region’s only clinical research program focused on early-phase clinical trials in patients with advanced cancer. This program makes Ochsner the clear choice for providing the very best cancer care available close to home.
Our Consult Services
Our providers are available for the initial consult visits virtually or in person. During this visit, our team will review records thoroughly, including previous treatments, imaging and current medications. Our team will then review cases at our Weekly Research Tumor Board with physicians, advanced practice providers, clinical research coordinators and research staff. Following this, we will have a follow up appointment to review trial options, give second opinions and develop a customized treatment plan.
To learn more about the Early Phase Trials being conducted at Ochsner:
Call 888-995-7405 or email us.
Our Team
We provide the most advanced cancer care available and, at the same time, offer compassionate support to patients and their families.
Marc Matrana, MD, MS, FACP
Key investigator, Genitourinary Oncology and Precision Medicine
Dr. Matrana focuses on treating patients with cancers of the genitourinary tract, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and other solid tumors. He is a native of New Orleans, who trained at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where he served as Chief Fellow. His groundbreaking research has led to numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and other publications in the field of genitourinary medical oncology. In addition to research and patient care, Dr. Matrana is an active medical educator who has spoken to groups around the world.
Daniel Johnson, MD
Medical Director, Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies Program
Dr. Johnson's research interests include melanoma and strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance and prevent immune-related adverse events. Dr. Johnson completed his internship and residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and completed his hematology/oncology fellowship at MD Anderson. Dr. Johnson has multiple peer-reviewed articles and presentations at national meetings pertaining to the management and underlying mechanisms of immune toxicity. He is a clinical investigator focused on designing and implementing clinical trials intended to optimize the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Laura Finn, MD
Deputy Medical Director for Hematology
Dr. Finn is the Interim Director of Ochsner’s Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Program. She completed a Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL where she was chief fellow and remained on faculty for two years as an Assistant Professor of Medicine. She completed advanced training in Bone Marrow Transplant at the University of Minnesota. She is the author of numerous peer reviewed publications in Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant and use of Palliative Medicine in cancer care and speaks globally on these topics. As a clinical investigator, Dr. Finn is focused on therapeutic trials for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and enhancement of bone marrow transplant.
Jonathan Mizrahi, MD
Deputy Director of Medical Oncology
Dr. Jonathan Mizrahi received his medical degree from University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville and completed his residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis. He completed his fellowship in hematology and oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Mizrahi is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He has been on staff at Ochsner since August 2020 and specializes in hematology and oncology, with a particular clinical and research focus on cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, including pancreatic cancer.
Katrina Wade, MD
Key Investigator, Gynecology Oncology
Dr. Katrina Wade’s area of clinical expertise is gynecologic cancers, including cervical, uterine, vulvar and ovarian cancer, as well as gestational trophoblastic disease. She is board certified in gynecologic oncology and has been recognized for her research in the field of gynecologic oncology. She is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals and serves on the Ovarian Cancer committee for NRG oncology. Dr. Wade strongly believes in a multidisciplinary team approach to gynecologic cancer care. She seeks to provide women with the most advanced and personalized treatment plans while best preserving quality of life.
John Cole, MD, FACP
Key Investigator, Breast Oncology
Dr. John Cole completed his internship and residency at Ochsner and completed his hematology/oncology fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Dr. Cole is board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology and has been on staff at Ochsner since 1989. He has been Principal Investigator of the Ochsner NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) since 2017 and is currently the Director of Clinical Cancer Research for Ochsner Health. He has a special clinical and research focus on breast cancer.
Erin Pierce, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Key Investigator of genitourinary oncology and CICT Manager
Erin Pierce received a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana State University. Prior to joining the Hematology/Oncology team as a nurse practitioner, Erin worked as a registered nurse for Ochsner's chemotherapy infusion. She currently serves as a sub-investigator for over 80 clinical trials and is the first advanced practice provider serving as a primary investigator on an early phase cancer clinical trial in the state of Louisiana. After both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer, Erin was inspired to become an oncology nurse practitioner and has devoted her career to fighting cancer, which sparked her interest in clinical cancer research and drug development. She was chosen as the 2018 Ochsner Advanced Practice Provider of the Year for her research contributions.
Carlie Stott, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
CTIT Advanced Practice Provider
Carlie received a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans. While working as a registered nurse, she received a Master of Nursing practice degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. Prior to joining the hematology oncology team as a nurse practitioner, Carlie worked as a registered nurse for Ochsner's inpatient oncology/bone marrow transplant unit for six years and then Ochsner's chemo infusion team for two years. Carlie holds two nursing certifications: oncology certified nurse and blood & marrow transplant certified nurse. Carlie treats solid tumor cancer patients and is a nurse practitioner for the precision cancer therapies program. Her special areas of interest are hematology/oncology, cancer care, solid tumor oncology and early phase clinical trials.
