NEWS
Doctors from LSU Health, University Medical Center and the New Orleans Health Department used the council's annual recognition to describe who screening is missing, and asked the council for help reaching them.
By Kim M. Braud | October 1, 2026
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans City Council opened its Thursday, Oct. 1 regular meeting by honoring eight breast cancer survivors and five health professionals, marking the 13th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day at City Hall.
Councilmember Jason Hughes of District E led the presentation, a special order of business held on the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He credited former Councilmember Nadine Ramsey with starting the tradition and thanked Mayor Helena Moreno and his colleagues for continuing it.
"Breast cancer affects women and men," Hughes said. "It's often lost that breast cancer also affects men, and its impact reaches entire families."
He described the morning's purpose plainly: "Today is about celebrating life, sharing information, and reminding people that they do not have to face this disease alone."
What the panel told the council
Five clinicians and public health officials each had about two minutes at the table.
Dr. Shawn McKinney, clinical breast surgeon and director of breast services at University Medical Center New Orleans, opened with the encouraging number. "When caught early, stage one, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer tends to be over 95%," he said, adding that local outcomes mirror that figure.
Then he turned to the gap. "Black women in this city have about a 40 percent higher mortality rate when they are diagnosed," McKinney said. He attributed the disparity partly to biology, since some patients are diagnosed with more aggressive subtypes, and partly to late-stage diagnosis. He said UMC sees many young Black and Hispanic women diagnosed in their 30s and late 20s, below the age when routine screening mammograms begin.
When caught early, stage one, the five-year survival rate of breast cancer tends to be over 95%.
McKinney closed with specific requests of the council: neighborhood survivorship and wellness hubs offering free education, exercise and therapy; attention to food deserts; and dedicated leave hours so municipal employees can keep screening and follow-up appointments.
Melissa N. Bean-Tanner, a nurse practitioner who runs UMC's high-risk breast program under McKinney, described the barriers she sees in patient charts: no transportation, no childcare, no money for a copay. She said she reviews charts before visits and asks patients directly what kept them from a missed mammogram.
Denise Roubion-Johnson, DrNP, clinical director for Louisiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Programs at LSU Health, said her statewide program provides no-cost mammograms to uninsured women and uses patient navigators to arrange transportation and appointments. She recounted driving to the home of a patient who had missed an appointment, only to have the family hesitate at the door because they thought she was a Jehovah's Witness. "This just shows you the length we would go to to get a patient to their appointment," she said.
Lacie L. Tillman, PhD, MPH, chronic disease program manager for the New Orleans Health Department, focused on risk reduction: maintaining a healthy weight, about 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, limiting alcohol, breastfeeding when possible, and learning family history on both sides. "Every person has some type of risk of breast cancer because we all have breast tissue, men and women," she said.
Dr. Michelle Marie Loch, a medical oncologist and associate professor of medicine at LSU Health, said LSU and LCMC are pursuing National Cancer Institute designation so patients can access clinical trials without leaving the state. "Our population is very unique and diverse, and those patients need to be represented on clinical trials," she said. She also pointed to survivorship costs that fall hardest on underserved patients, including fertility preservation.
The honorees
Each council office, along with the Mayor's Office, recognized a survivor.
Florence Collier-Smith, honored by Council President JP Morrell, was diagnosed in August 2017. She underwent a double mastectomy that September, followed by nine rounds of chemotherapy and nine rounds of radiation. Complications from treatment left her unable to return to her job at Walmart. Morrell credited her husband, Michael Smith, as a constant source of support.
Cynthia Willard-Lewis, a former state senator and councilmember, was honored by Vice President Matthew Willard, her nephew. Willard noted her nearly 10 years in the Legislature and 10 on the council, and her recovery from both a stroke and breast cancer. "Everybody has a personal connection to breast cancer," he said.
Elaine Kimbrell, honored by District A Councilmember Aimee McCarron, was diagnosed in January 2020 at 41, with two sons ages 3 and 7. Her treatment included six rounds of chemotherapy, 26 rounds of radiation, 12 maintenance infusions and two surgeries, much of it during early COVID-19 restrictions that kept family out of infusion rooms. She is now a practicing attorney. McCarron told the chamber the day reminded her that she is past due on her own mammogram and would schedule one after the meeting.
Thyn Oo, honored by District B Councilmember Lesli D. Harris, helped build a legal aid network of nearly 200 organizations in Burma. After the military seized power in 2021, she and her two children spent months in hiding before resettling in New Orleans, where she was later diagnosed with breast cancer. "Surviving is an achievement in and of itself," Harris said. "Turning around to help the next person through that door is leadership."
Surviving is an achievement in and of itself. Turning around to help the next person through that door is leadership.
Patricia Williams, District C, was recognized by proclamation at the request of Councilmember Freddie King III. A Columbus, Georgia, native, Williams was diagnosed in 1972 and underwent a radical mastectomy and six months of cobalt treatment. She went on to complete 43 years of government service, including work with the Small Business Administration's New Orleans office.
Patriana Hart, honored by District D Councilmember Eugene J. Green Jr., was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in February. She rang the bell marking the end of chemotherapy on Sept. 14. Green noted that Hart attended the ceremony on the same morning she was scheduled to begin 30 days of radiation, at 11 a.m.
Jann Wynne, honored by Hughes, his aunt, spent three decades on the staff of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She was diagnosed as retirement approached, continued working through chemotherapy and radiation, and is now in full remission and retired.
Linda Baker, honored on behalf of Mayor Moreno, is a minister and retired choral music educator who built programs in Louisiana and Kansas. She was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer in February 2024 after a routine mammogram, completed treatment that August, and is now two years cancer-free. She moved to New Orleans in October 2025.
A 40-year staff member recognized
The council also presented a Making a Difference Award to council staffer Lena Craig Stewart, who organizes the annual event. Hughes noted she has served in City Hall for 40 years and has worked in nearly every council office.
The LSU-administered Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program, which Roubion-Johnson described, provides no-cost screening mammograms to uninsured women through participating providers statewide.
Where to verify
The agenda for the Oct. 1, 2026 regular meeting and the full meeting video are available through the council's Granicus archive at council.nola.gov. The presentation appears as the first special order of business.
Photos
Additional photos of the event can be viewed on our GALLERY
Kim M. Braud is the Founder & Editor of Evans Cutchmore Press, an independent newsroom covering Louisiana and the Gulf South. Her reporting focuses on government accountability, infrastructure, business, culture, and the public policies that shape communities.
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