WELLNESS TEAM | Feist-Weiller Cancer Center
Meet your Wellness Team!
Dr. Apoorva Cheeti is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at LSU Health Shreveport and the Director of the Survivorship Wellness Program at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. She obtained her medical degree in India at Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences. She subsequently completed her Internal Medicine residency at University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque followed by a Hematology/Oncology fellowship at LSU Health Shreveport. Her primary clinical interests include diagnosis and treatment of Lung and Head and Neck cancers including targeted therapies and immunotherapy. She is committed to providing holistic, patient-centered care that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of individuals facing cancer.
Lauren Holston Walker, NP, is dual board certified in both psychiatric and family practice, bringing more than two decades of nursing experience to her work. Her clinical foundation includes intensive care, oncology, integrative medicine, and palliative care—giving her a deeply compassionate, comprehensive lens on patient health. As an endurance athlete and Ironman triathlete, Lauren integrates the principles of movement, mindfulness, and nutrition into her care philosophy, helping patients build resilience in both body and mind. She believes in meeting people where they are and guiding them toward lasting wellness.
Carol Crooms, RN, has been an Oncology Nurse for 30 years. She has been at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center for 18 years as an Oncology/Chemotherapy Nurse. In 2018, she became the Chemo Educator and Survivorship Wellness Program Coordinator at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. She received a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Hollins College in Roanoke, VA. She also received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, LA. She has a love and passion for her cancer patients. Outside of work, Carol enjoys running, playing tennis, and gardening.
Victoria Ourso, BS, is a medical student at LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. She is involved in the student interest groups, Cancer Walking Group and Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group. In 2023, she started working with the Survivorship team as Survivorship Intern. Under this role, she assists the coordinator with various tasks including technical support, organization of program data, coordination and attendance of shared medical visits, communication of events, and creation of handouts needed for patient care. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She is interested in obtaining a Lifestyle Medicine or Integrative Medicine certification during residency or fellowship. She is very passionate about preventative medicine including lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, mental wellness, etc.
Andree Breaux, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She has worked at the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center since 1999 caring for oncology patients, specializing in breast cancer survivors. She has a true love and connection to each of her unique patients. As of December 2024, she will be seeing patients in the Survivorship Oncology clinic. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Baton Rouge. She moved to Shreveport to attend the Physician Assistant program and has lived here since. During her free time, Andree enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering on the LSU Tigers, and gardening.
Ellen Lewis, NP, has over 30 years of experience in patient care, starting at age 16 where she volunteered at a local hospital doing patient transport and delivering flowers and mail to patient rooms. She has worked 2 years as a nursing assistant, 7 years as a RN, and 15 years as a NP with Head and Neck Surgery (trained in H&N Surgery by Dr Cherie-Ann Nathan). She has served as the continuity of care for our cancer patients and in their Survivorship clinic, where her compassion and impact are exemplary. She leads Head and Neck Survivorship monthly meetings and develops surgical care plans. Ellen is a dedicated educator who helps lead several annual outreach efforts for Head and Neck Cancer awareness and screenings in the community. She is also actively involved in research trials aimed toward improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Ellen is an excellent liaison for our patients and multidisciplinary team.
Karuna Dewan, MD, FACS, is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) at LSU Health Shreveport and the director of the Ark-La-Tex Voice, Airway and Swallowing Center. Her practice specializes in adult surgeries for disorders of swallowing, speaking and breathing. Dr. Dewan has a special interest in chronic cough, surgical management of swallowing disorders, and rehabilitation after head and neck cancer treatment. She has authored over 20 book chapters and published over 30 papers and continues to conduct clinical research in these areas, particularly with a focus on swallowing function and quality of life.
Shannon Smith, BA, MSW, LCSW, is a Mental Health Wellness Coach and group facilitator for cancer patients at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work degree from LSU Baton Rouge. Her professional experience includes 25 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, beginning as an adolescent therapist, and later serving as the coordinator of an inpatient adolescent and children’s psychiatric unit in the Houston Medical Center. Her early focus with younger populations transitioned into a private practice that included adults of all ages and treatment of depression, anxiety, women’s issues, eating disorders, family dysfunction, life transitions, and grief.
She was a ten-year board member of the Volunteers of America, North Louisiana, where she served as Chairman of the board. She was an inaugural member of the ‘Communities In Schools’ advisory council and has been an active volunteer and board member with various non-profits locally. Following a decade shaped by family experiences with Lewy Body dementia, cancer, auto-immunity and Long Covid, her interests shifted to the currently evolving definitions of wellness and illness, and the power we each possess to significantly impact both. Her personal interests in wellness brought her to Feist-Weiller where she is inspired by the staff and the many thriving individuals in the Survivorship program. With a focus on cultivating gratitude, mindfulness in all forms of self- care, building meaningful connections, and fostering physical, spiritual and emotional resilience, she leads the groups to form a network of support and a shared vision of wellness.
Dr. Suzanne Tinsley, PhD, PT, NCS, received her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 1986 and her PhD in Neuropharmacology from LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) in 1999. Dr. Tinsley has been on faculty at LSUHS for 35 years and is the Senior Director of Medical Philanthropy. She holds joint appointments of Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, and the Department of Neurology. In February 2017, Dr. Tinsley was named the first Richard C. Parks Endowed Professor in Neurological Rehabilitation by LSUHS. She was honored in October 2023 with the Athena International Leadership Award for her community. Dr. Tinsley is very active across campus involved in teaching and patient care. She currently attends all survivorship clinics providing screening to assess for any functional limitations patients might have interfering with their quality of life. Dr. Tinsley also leads the clinical research arm of FWCC Survivorship Program.
Angie Lord, RDN, LDN, CSO, CCMS, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with over 20 years’ experience in nutrition working in community, acute care and outpatient settings. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in Public Health Nutrition and American Ethnic Studies, followed by a second degree in Dietetics after completing her internship. She started working in cancer centers in 2019 and became a Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO) in 2020. In 2023, she completed the Health Meets Food curriculum to become a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist (CCMS). During her interactions with patients, she focuses on approachable ways to make healthy eating a part of everyday life during and after cancer treatment. She is an Air Force spouse who loves to experience local cultures as she and her family move around the country.
Nancy Leidenheimer, PhD, is a neuroscientist and medical educator dedicated to advancing both scientific understanding and holistic well-being. After receiving her BS in psychology from Longwood College, she earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Kent State University. Her postdoctoral studies at the University of Colorado further honed her expertise in neuroscience. Currently, Dr. Leidenheimer serves as a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at LSU Health Shreveport. With decades of experience in cellular neuroscience research, she has trained PhD students, medical students and postdoctoral researchers. Beyond the lab, she enjoys lecturing on a variety of topics including Integrative Medicine, with a particular focus on mind-body connections.
Passionate about well-being, Dr. Leidenheimer is a certified RYT-200 Yoga instructor, and a Health and Wellness Coach with a certificate in Lifestyle Medicine. She actively integrates her wellness expertise into her role as an educator, teaching yoga on campus to promote life balance and self-care. She is deeply committed to helping people discover their unique paths and passions in life, while helping develop their self-care skills. Beyond science and education, she participates in the shared medical appointments of Survivorship groups at the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center by teaching yoga and meeting patients wherever they are in their journey.