The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Dr. Tanyanika Phillips, medical oncologist with Savoy Cancer Center.  Dr. Phillips is a native of New Orleans and received her training at Johns Hopkins University and Vanderbilt. She is seeing patients at Savoy Cancer Center two days a week and three days at Christus St. Francis Cabrini Medical Center in Alexandria.

    She reported that medical science is making great strides in the fight against cancer. “We want to educate our patients to make informed decisions for their cancer care”, she commented.

   Evangeline Parish has among the highest rates of colon cancer cases in the state. Dr. Phillips blames our lifestyle and our diets for the high rates.

   Dr. Phillips was accompanied at the meeting with Savoy Medical Center C.E.O. Gene Burge, Chief Nursing Officer Laurie Manuel and Marketing Director Jackie Riche’. Rotarian Nick LeBas was in charge of the program.

   Club President Peter Strawitz reported that the Rotary Club will team up with the Sacred Heart Interact Club in doing a cleanup project at the Heritage Park Saturday morning from 9-1.

   Rotarian Maggie Ortego reported that the club will once again sponsor its “Choices” program in schools throughout the parish the week of May 8. Members of the rotary club will visit 8^th grade classes throughout the parish to encourage students to remain in school.

   Club President Peter Strawitz reported that the club will be cooking a meal for guests visiting the Grand Hoorah Festival at Chicot State Park on April 27 at Chicot State Park.