Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions. 

Drug Policy Board

The Drug Policy Board is responsible for identifying, examining, selecting, or developing, and recommending or implementing drug control policies to more effectively combat illegal drug and alcohol abuse. The board evaluates how anti-drug monies are used in implementing related programs. It also identifies and evaluates the effectiveness of public awareness and drug prevention programs.

Edward C. Carlson of New Orleans has been appointed to the Drug Policy Board. Carlson is the CEO of Odyssey House Louisiana. He will represent a private organization involved in substance abuse prevention. 

Parish Boards of Election Supervisors

The purpose of the board in each parish is to oversee and supervise all elections within the parish to ensure the safety and accuracy of the democratic process. The Board of Election Supervisors oversees the preparation and conducting of each election in the parish. Each parish’s board is composed of the parish’s registrar of voters, the parish’s clerk of court, the chairman of the parish executive committee of each recognized political party, and one member appointed by the governor.

Marion A. French of Alexandria has been appointed to the Parish Boards of Election Supervisors. French is a self-employed attorney. He will serve as the election supervisor for Rapides Parish.

Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

The Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners exists to safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of this state against unauthorized, unqualified, and improper practice of social work though a proper regulatory authority.

Bora K. Sunseri of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners. Sunseri is a project director at the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. She will serve as a licensed clinical social worker engaged in a practice specialty other than clinical.

Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board

The Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board serves to determine policy for the Louisiana Tumor Registry and distribute state funds for cancer research.

Jocelyn Renea Austin-Duffin of Baton Rouge has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Austin-Duffin is the vice president of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. She will represent Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Radiation and Research Foundation, Inc.

Dr. Burke J. “Jay” Brooks Jr. of Baton Rouge has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Brooks is the chairman of the department of hematology and oncology and the chief of staff at Ochsner Medical Center of Baton Rouge. He will represent the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation.

Dr. Elizabeth Terrell Hobgood Fontham of New Orleans has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Fontham is the former president of the American Cancer Society and an emeritus professor and founding dean of the Louisiana State University School of Public Health. She will represent the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Stephen P. Kantrow of River Ridge has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Kantrow is a professor of medicine and a program director for the pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Louisiana State University School of Medicine.  He will represent the American Lung Association of Louisiana, Inc.

Dr. Robert R. Newsome of LaPlace has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Newsome is the vice speaker for the Louisiana State Medical Society and a radiologist for Baton Rouge Radiology Group. He will represent Louisiana State Medical Society.

Dr. Augusto C. Ochoa of New Orleans has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Ochoa is the chair of the department of interdisciplinary oncology, a professor of pediatrics, and a deputy director for LSU-LCMC Cancer Center. He will represent LSU Medical School at New Orleans.

Dr. John M. Rainey of Cankton has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Rainey is a family practitioner at Opelousas General Health System. He will represent Acadiana Medical Research Foundation.

Dr. Kristi M. Rapp of Darrow has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Rapp is the associate dean of administration and academic support at Xavier University. She will represent Xavier University School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Alton O. “Oliver” Sartor of New Orleans has been reappointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Sartor is a professor of medicine and a medical director at Tulane Cancer Center. He will represent Tulane University Medical School.

Dr. Sarah P. Thayer of Shreveport has been appointed to the Louisiana Cancer and Lung Trust Fund Board. Dr. Thayer is the director of Feist Weiller Cancer Center at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport. She will represent LSU Medical School at Shreveport.

Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council

The Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council offers expert and clinical advice to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Governor and the legislature to help address the needs of persons diagnosed and living with rare diseases.

Kelly Rouse of Shreveport has been reappointed to the Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council. Rouse is a behavior analyst with a private practice. She will serve as the chair appointed by the Governor and as a member appointed by the Speaker of the House. 

Louisiana Cybersecurity Commission

The Louisiana Cybersecurity Commission’s mission is to advance the State’s cyber ecosystem and position Louisiana as a national leader and preferred location for cyber business, education and research. The 15 member Commission is to identify, prioritize, and mitigate Louisiana’s cyber risk, promote cybersecurity awareness and promoting action including legislative, administrative and regulatory for the security of all Louisiana’s cyber ecosystem and ultimately the enhancement of cybersecurity in Louisiana.

Dr. Kim Hunter Reed of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Louisiana Cybersecurity Commission. Dr. Reed is the commissioner of higher education for the Louisiana Board of Regents. She will serve as chair.