By: Greg LaRose-Feb. 23, 2026 Louisiana Illuminator
A former top state health official from Louisiana is leaving his fairly new leadership role with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the agency announced Monday.
Dr. Ralph Abraham will step down as principal deputy director of the CDC “to address unforeseen family obligations,” the agency said in a brief statement. The Trump administration picked Abraham for the role in November, and he assumed his new duties in January.
Ochsner Health and M7 Health announced the system-wide launch of M7’s workforce management platform across all Ochsner inpatient hospital campuses. In April 2025, Ochsner introduced a pilot with nursing teams at three of its hospitals. By the end of 2025, M7 was deployed across every inpatient nursing unit at all 47 hospitals in the Ochsner system, with expansion to additional frontline, shift-based teams planned for 2026.
Lane Regional Medical Center announced the promotion of Allyson Bennett, MSN, RN, to chief nursing officer. Bennett succeeds Staci Sullivan, MSN, PMHCNS-BC, NEA-BC, RNC, who has served as chief nursing officer since 2015. In her new role, Allyson will provide strategic nursing leadership and oversee clinical operations.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will inaugurate David M. Bellar, PhD, as its fifth president during Inauguration Week, March 23-28. The weeklong celebration features services, community events, and formal ceremonies. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the University are invited to participate.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center was re-certified by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Program and awarded a three-year accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology.
The QOPI Certification Program awards a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet nationally-recognized standards for quality cancer care.
