Dear LA CaTS Center Members,

I am honored to serve as Director and Principal Investigator of the Louisiana Clinical & Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center. The success of the LA CaTS Center, under the leadership of Dr. William Cefalu, Dr. Steve Nelson and Dr. Lee Hamm has been extraordinary. Dr. Cefalu’s effort as director over the past five years is most commendable. I, like Dr. Cefalu, am committed to support the LA CaTS Center’s mission to “encourage, support and expand clinical and translational research through partnerships both among researchers and with the people we serve”.  I will continue to strengthen and align activities toward the mission of the LA CaTS Center.

When I was approached with the proposition to be the next Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical Research Center and LA CaTS Center Principal Investigator, I agreed without equivocation, as this is “home” to me. My involvement in the development of the LA CaTS Center began well over ten years ago following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At that time, it was clearly recognized that the clinical and translational research infrastructure and research activity in Louisiana was significantly disrupted.  I then started the process for the collaborative efforts that have resulted in the consortium of institutions that now make up the LA CaTS Center. I hope that my vision and energy will even further enhance the potential of this vital Center and the impact on addressing our region’s unique health problems.

Thank you again for welcoming me back to the LA CaTS Center.

Sincerely,

Donna H. Ryan, MD
Executive Director
Pennington Biomedical Research Center