A Transformative New Chapter in Neuro-Oncology at LSU Health New Orleans
The LSU Health Foundation and LSU Health New Orleans are proud to announce the appointment of internationally recognized cancer researcher Dr. Balveen Kaur as the inaugural holder of the Honorable Henry G. Sullivan, Jr. Professorship in Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Kaur will also serve as Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Neurosurgery and Associate Director of Translational Science for the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center.
Her recruitment marks a transformative moment for neuro-oncology research and patient care in Louisiana — one made possible through the extraordinary generosity and vision of Judy Sullivan and the supporters of the Honorable Henry G. Sullivan, Jr. Initiative.
“This professorship has been instrumental in bringing Dr. Kaur to New Orleans,” said Lucio Miele, MD, Director of the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center. “Dr. Kaur brings an exceptional record of leadership in cancer research and a deep commitment to advancing discoveries that move beyond the lab to directly impact patient care. Her work exemplifies the true promise of translational oncology, serving as the critical bridge between scientific innovation and real-world treatment.”
At the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, translational science is central to the mission of accelerating discoveries from the laboratory to the bedside. Through innovative research, expanded clinical trials, and collaborative patient-centered care, Dr. Kaur’s leadership will help ensure that patients across Louisiana have access to cutting-edge neuro-oncology treatments close to home.
“Dr. Kaur’s expertise will strengthen our ability to translate discovery into impact — not only for our patients, but for communities across our state and beyond,” Dr. Miele added.
A globally respected scientist and leader in cancer research, Dr. Kaur brings decades of expertise in translational oncology and neurological cancers. She earned her undergraduate degree in Physics Honors from Delhi University in India, followed by a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Banaras Hindu University. She later completed her PhD at Emory University and remained there for advanced postgraduate training.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Kaur has held numerous national leadership roles, including serving as an invited chairperson on National Institutes of Health review panels, Standing Chairperson of the NIH Neurological Sciences and Disorders A (NSDA) Study Section, and a member of the Department of Defense P2RMIS Review Panel. She also served on the organizing committee for the 2025 Advancing Gene and Cell Therapies for Cancer Conference.
Now at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Kaur plans to utilize the Sullivan Professorship to advance innovative neuro-oncology research with direct implications for patient treatment and outcomes. Her work will focus on developing therapies that move more rapidly from scientific discovery into clinical application, creating new hope for patients battling aggressive brain cancers such as glioblastoma.
Dr. Kaur explains that “By uniting experts from multiple disciplines within the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we can harness diverse data, transform it into actionable insights, and develop a powerful arsenal to wage war on cancers like glioblastoma.”
The professorship itself carries a deep personal legacy.
The Honorable Henry G. Sullivan, Jr. was a beloved Jefferson Parish judge who served the Westbank community for 24 years with fairness, wisdom, and compassion. After being diagnosed with glioblastoma, Judge Sullivan received treatment from LSU Health neurosurgeon Dr. Frank Culicchia at West Jefferson Medical Center, allowing him to remain close to family and community during his care.
Following his passing after an eight-month battle with brain cancer, his wife, Judy Sullivan, transformed grief into purpose. Alongside family and friends, she founded the Honorable Henry G. Sullivan, Jr. Initiative to support LSU Health’s Department of Neurosurgery and ensure that all patients — regardless of financial means — have access to exceptional neurological care.
“I feel like it’s my calling to help other people who have been diagnosed with glioblastoma,” Judy shared. “This is my way of remembering Henry and the life that he lived.”
Through the annual Celebrating Sullivan Gala, the Initiative has become a powerful force for advancing neuro-oncology care and research in New Orleans. Since its launch in 2023, the gala has raised nearly half a million dollars.
These transformative gifts have already established both a patient assistance fund, helping families with travel, lodging, and meals during treatment, and the Honorable Henry G. Sullivan, Jr. Professorship in Neuro-Oncology — ensuring LSU Health can recruit and retain nationally recognized physician-scientists like Dr. Kaur.
The impact of this philanthropy extends far beyond research labs and academic titles. It is felt in every patient who gains access to advanced care close to home, every family supported during treatment, and every new therapy that offers hope against devastating cancers.
“Henry’s vision is alive in this work,” said LSU Health Foundation President and CEO Katie Acuff, Esq., during the 2025 Sullivan Gala. “Judy’s generosity is alive in this work, and the impact of these gifts will be felt in every life touched through compassionate care and groundbreaking discovery.”
With Dr. Balveen Kaur’s arrival at LSU Health New Orleans, the Sullivan family’s legacy enters an inspiring new chapter — one defined by innovation, compassion, and a shared commitment to changing the future of neuro-oncology care for patients across Louisiana and beyond.