FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes Launches an Advanced, Comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program
November 20, 2025
LAFAYETTE, La. – FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes recently introduced new a robot-assisted biopsy platform and artificial intelligence-based software that are revolutionizing the way lung cancer is detected, diagnosed and treated here in Acadiana.Intuitive Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy, a minimally invasive peripheral lung biopsy platform. Its ultrathin, ultra-maneuverable catheter allows providers to reach lung nodules in all 18 segments of the lung – including those located in small, difficult-to-reach areas of the peripheral lung where more than 70% of lung nodules may be located – with increased precision and stability.
Ion works in tandem with Eon Patient Management, an artificial intelligence-based software constantly monitoring X-rays, CT scans and other imaging performed inside the Our Lady of Lourdes network that include views of the chest. The Eon software detects potential lung nodules, or abnormal growths typically caused by a respiratory illness or infection. Nodules could indicate the presence of lung cancer, which is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Each year an estimated 219,000 new cases are reported and about 132,000 patients lose their battle with the disease.
“It’s a game-changer, completely altering the way we approach the decision to perform a biopsy,” explained Dr. Frank Courmier, a board-certified pulmonology and critical care specialist with Our Lady of Lourdes. “Previously, we would only send a patient for biopsy if we were fairly certain the nodule was cancerous.”
Prior to the Ion system, a physician inserted a biopsy needle from outside the lung, increasing the potential for infection and resulting in a collapsed lung in 20% of cases, Dr. Courmier noted. With the new robot-assisted system, the physician approaches the nodule from inside the lung, greatly reducing the risk of infection and dropping the rate of potential lung collapse to 2%, or 1 out of every 50 patients. With the reduced risk and increased access to biopsy nodules in areas previously outside of a provider’s reach, physicians are more likely to choose biopsy sooner. “We want to catch nodules early to be sure we’re not missing a cancer that potentially can be cured with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery,” he added.
Most nodules are detected in what’s referred to as an incidental finding. For instance, a patient has some form of imaging ordered after a traffic accident or to detect heart or vascular system issues. Even though the lungs are not the focus of the ordered imaging, the Eon software scans the imaging for the presence of a potential lung nodule. Nodules measuring more than 1 centimeter, which could indicate the presence of cancer, are reviewed by a multidisciplinary team in a weekly conference that includes specialists in the fields of pulmonology, cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, oncology and pathology.
“We review the imaging, the patient’s history and determine what next steps are appropriate for their specific situation, such as ongoing monitoring, biopsy or additional testing,” Dr. Courmier said. “Just because you have a nodule doesn’t mean you have cancer. Many people have them. Most are benign. Even less require treatment.”
Pathology is often present in the room when a provider is performing an Ion robot-assisted biopsy. This allows providers to stage cancer immediately, explained Dr. Safi Haq, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with Our Lady of Lourdes. This decreases a delay in receiving the results and allows the provider to make plan of care decisions much quicker.
“In the past, lung resection involved a large incision on the side or back of the patient. It was one of the most painful procedures. Patients typically were in the hospital for 7 to 14 days on pain medication,” Dr. Haq said. “With the new minimally invasive platform, patients are out of the hospital in 3-4 days, the pain associated with the procedure is notably reduced, and recovery time is much shorter.”
The role Our Lady of Lourdes played in making this advancement available to area families “cannot be understated,” Dr. Haq added. “For providers like me in the trenches with the patient, we wouldn’t be able to offer this level of advanced care and treatment without the system making the technology available here in our community.”
Contact Trevis R. Badeaux, Senior Marketing Strategist, at (337) 470-4117 or Trevis.Badeaux@fmolhs.org for more information.
About FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes
Founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in 1949, FMOL Health | Our Lady of Lourdes is a not–for–profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Lafayette, Louisiana. With a regional acute care medical center that employs more than 2,800 people, Our Lady of Lourdes Health offers a physician staff of over 850 doctors in a variety of medical and surgical specialties. Lourdes’ services include Centers of Excellence in the areas of Orthopedics, Stroke and a Robotic Surgery Program. Lourdes is home to the only burn unit in Southwest Louisiana and a Commission on Cancer-accredited oncology program. Our Lady of Lourdes operates Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital, a premier 32-bed cardiac facility, and Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, offering the area’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Level III Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With additional services including multiple clinics, four imaging locations and a primary care physician network, Lourdes provides easy access to comprehensive care throughout the community. Our Lady of Lourdes is part of FMOL Health and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. Discover more at LourdesRMC.com.