FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute Delivers Louisiana’s First CAR-T Therapy in an Outpatient Setting
March 02, 2026
BATON ROUGE, La. – FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute has delivered Louisiana’s first CAR-T therapy in an outpatient setting, expanding access to advanced, patient-centered cancer care across the region.
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for blood cancers that re-engineers a patient’s own immune cells to identify and attack cancer. Delivering CAR-T therapy in an outpatient setting requires specialized certification, structured toxicity monitoring protocols, and coordinated multidisciplinary oversight.
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute first introduced CAR-T therapy in May 2025 through participation in a clinical research trial, building the foundation necessary to expand into outpatient delivery.
“Cellular immunotherapy has significantly advanced how we treat blood cancers,” said Nakhle Saba, MD, Director of Lymphoma and CAR-T Program, Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute. “What this represents for our community is the ability to deliver highly personalized treatment, while keeping patients connected to the people and support systems that matter most.”
Historically, CAR-T therapy required extended hospitalization for monitoring. While the infusion itself is critical, the most complex phase of care occurs in the days following treatment, when patients are closely monitored for immune-related side effects.
“Having this treatment available in Baton Rouge made everything easier for me and my family,” said Anne Jordan, a CAR-T therapy patient at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute. “I was able to receive highly specialized care while staying close to home and surrounded by support.”
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute is uniquely equipped to safely deliver outpatient CAR-T through its integrated response system, including specialized oncology nursing, advanced practice providers, and coordination with the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and Cell Therapy Unit.
“I am incredibly proud of our team that has developed the expertise required to deliver this treatment safely and effectively,” said Susan Foret, vice president of the FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute. “It reinforces our leadership in delivering highly specialized oncology care across Louisiana.”
Since administering the first outpatient infusion, the care team has conducted multiple daily evaluations and successfully managed expected immunotherapy-related side effects, reinforcing the strength of its monitoring protocols.
Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute remains at the forefront of advanced cancer care, expanding treatment capabilities, research participation, and multidisciplinary collaboration to serve patients across Louisiana and the Gulf Region.
To learn more about CAR-T therapy and advanced cellular treatment options at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, visit FMOLHS.org/cancer.
About FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake
FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Children’s Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of FMOL Health and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com.