Taylor Burgess

Raised in Abbeville, Taylor Goodyear Burgess is a natural blend of creativity, grit, and grace. Now living in Lafayette with her husband Corey and their two sons, she serves as Chief Merchandising Officer at Stuller, where she leads with heart and purpose. In 2017, at just 34 years old, Taylor was diagnosed with Stage 1 aggressive breast cancer. Though the diagnosis came as a shock, catching it early became what she now calls part of God’s plan.

From the start, Taylor felt compelled to use her story as a source of strength for others—sending messages of encouragement, showing up for coffee dates, and sharing tips both emotional and practical (including a few game-changing wig tricks). Her approach is one of authenticity, reminding women in treatment that they are never alone—and that joy, confidence, and peace are still possible on the other side.

Today, Taylor continues to lead with hope—at work, at home, and in her advocacy. She is a proud supporter of Miles Perret Cancer Services, rallying Stuller’s largest race team each year for Camellia Crossing, and championing resources for local families affected by cancer. We honor Taylor Goodyear Burgess tonight for turning her personal journey into a mission of light — leading with resilience, showing up with grace, and reminding us all that even through hardship, joy is still within reach.

Page Cortez

Page Cortez has spent his life serving others—first as a teacher and coach, then as a business leader, and ultimately, as a public servant. Born and raised in Lafayette, Page married his high school sweetheart, Angela, and together they raised two children – Matthew and Maria – and now delight in the joy of their growing family. After years in education, he joined Angela’s family’s furniture business and, over the next three decades, became a fixture in Acadiana – serving on the Parish Recreation and Parks Commission and supporting local nonprofits.

In 2007, Page’s commitment to public service took a new form when he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, later serving 12 years in the State Senate—including four as Senate President. Then in this busy season of his life, a routine checkup revealed elevated PSA levels. After putting off care for over a year, he was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

The timing of the diagnosis was jarring — coming just as he and Angela hoped to slow down and enjoy time with their grandchildren. Now he is focusing on recovery and reflection.

His journey is a reminder that even leaders must sometimes learn to pause and receive the care they so often give to others. We honor Page Cortez tonight for a lifetime of service—and for showing us that courage isn’t just found in the public eye, but in the quiet determination to keep going, especially when life changes course.

Shantell Dugas

Born and raised in Lafayette, Shantell Dugas grew up guided by the love and strength of her mother, who raised her after the passing of her father when Shantell was just six. With values rooted in resilience, independence, and compassion—and inspired by her sister’s example—Shantell followed a path into nursing. Over the last 19 years, she has served patients across emergency rooms, ICUs, and dialysis units, constantly seeking new ways to grow and give back. Today, she serves as a Nurse Practitioner at Ochsner Cancer Center of Acadiana.

Having lost her grandmother and aunt to cancer, and witnessing both her cousin and mother-in-law survive it, Shantell brings more than clinical care to her patients—she brings empathy, lived experience, and a belief in the power of presence. Whether educating about early detection or simply brightening a patient’s day, she treats each person as if they were family. It’s a calling, not just a career.

Outside of work, Shantell embraces life fully—fishing, running, traveling, and tending to her flower beds with her husband Fermin and their children, Fermin II and Malani. We honor Shantell Dugas tonight for transforming loss into purpose—and for reminding us that in every moment we’re given, there’s a chance to love deeper, give more, and help someone feel less alone.

Cassie Goldsboro

Cassie Goldsboro is a businesswoman, wife to Nathan, mother to Emma Gracie and Mason, and a fierce advocate. After earning degrees from UL Lafayette and Florida State, her career in commercial real estate took her to New Orleans, where she met Nathan, a U.S. Navy serviceman. After marrying and moving to Lafayette to be closer to family, the two embarked on a long, difficult journey to parenthood—one that ultimately led them to adoption. In 2019, they welcomed Emma Gracie into their lives, a joyful, gentle baby who completed their family.

Everything changed just a year later. On a trip to Florida, Emma began showing alarming symptoms. Cassie’s unwavering intuition and determination led doctors to a diagnosis: stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. What followed was 16 months of intense treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Through every moment, Cassie stayed by Emma’s side—not just as a mother, but as her fiercest advocate.

Today, Emma is five years old and thriving—four years cancer-free. The survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma has increased from 50% to 75% over the last few years, thanks in part to the path Emma and her family walked. We honor Cassie Goldsboro tonight as a reminder that a mother’s strength can move mountains—and that hope, when shared, can change outcomes for us all.

Deanna Head

Deanna Head has built a life defined by strength, purpose, and compassion. As the oldest of five children, she was taught early on to lead by example—and she’s done exactly that. From a nurse at 19, to a teacher and Director of Education at Delta Career College, then a deputy sheriff, and eventually the founder of Unitech Training Academy, Deanna’s career has always centered around helping others rise. Her personal path hasn’t been easy. She survived childhood abuse, domestic violence, and a season of homelessness while raising her son. But she never stopped working, building, or believing in a better life for her family and community.

In 1997, Deanna founded Unitech Training Academy in Lafayette. It has since grown to six campuses, with an online presence across three states, empowering thousands of students to build careers in healthcare and beyond. Even in retirement, her purpose hasn’t slowed. She now runs Bridge Point Farms—a space for healing, celebration, and animal rescue. But in 2023, Deanna was faced with another challenge: a bladder cancer diagnosis. After multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment at MD Anderson, she is now cancer-free and continuing her fight with grace and determination.

Deanna’s legacy includes award recognitions, charitable efforts, and the lives she’s uplifted through education and advocacy. She is a proud mother to Noah, grandmother to Adelaide, and aunt to Brooks. We honor Deanna Head tonight as a testament to resilience, purpose, and the power of showing up—again and again—for the people and causes you love.

Dr. Michael Horaist

Dr. Michael Horaist is a colon and rectal surgeon at Ochsner Health whose practice blends advanced clinical skill with sincere, personal care. Specializing in colorectal cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease, he has become known for a calm, patient-first approach that centers on healing not just the body—but the person.
His commitment to Acadiana is both professional and deeply personal. A proud Lafayette native, Dr. Horaist earned his undergraduate degree from LSU, attended LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, and completed both residency and fellowship training before returning home to serve this community. He is also actively involved in education and mentorship, helping train the next generation of surgeons to lead with excellence and empathy.
Beyond the hospital, Michael is a proud husband to Caroline and father to Sawyer and Charlie. His happiest moments are often the simplest—family dinners, ballgames, and backyard memories made with the people who matter most. We honor Dr. Michael Horaist tonight as a reminder that expert care is most powerful when delivered with heart—and that healing is strongest when it happens close to home.

Dr. Tim Machen

Dr. Tim Machen returned to his home state of Louisiana after completing his medical training in Atlanta, choosing to build a career rooted in both clinical excellence and community impact. Inspired by his siblings—one a nurse, the other a physician—Tim entered medical school with an open mind and a desire to serve. It was during his rotations that a clear calling emerged: radiology. He recognized that no matter the specialty, every path to healing began with the same phrase—“Let’s look at the imaging.”

Today, Dr. Machen serves as the lead interpreting physician at Our Lady of Lourdes Breast Imaging Center, where he and his team are often the first faces patients see on their cancer journey. Through early detection, compassionate communication, and precise imaging, he plays a vital role in guiding patients from uncertainty toward treatment and recovery. For him, it’s not just about reading scans—it’s about walking with patients through some of their most vulnerable moments.

At home, Tim is a hands-on dad to his two young children, John and Sophia, and husband to Elizabeth. Whether chasing kids through parks or bouncing at Sky Zone, he finds joy in life’s everyday moments. We honor Dr. Tim Machen tonight for his quiet leadership in the fight against cancer—and for proving that sometimes, the clearest picture of hope begins before a word is even spoken.

Yulandera Moody

Originally from Abbeville and now living in Lafayette, Yulandera Moody is a proud U.S. Army veteran, breast cancer survivor, wife to Thomas, mother to Andrew, Nicholas, and Kimberly, and grandmother of four. Her life’s work spans across corporate, nonprofit, and civic sectors—including time with the Vermilion Parish Head Start program, a women’s shelter, and nearly two decades with the Fifteenth Judicial District Court. She has worn many hats, but each role has shared one constant: service to others.

Today, Yulandera works as a community outreach specialist with Senior Medicare Patrol, educating seniors on Medicare fraud prevention—with equal parts wisdom and warmth. She’s also a passionate writer and a member of the Miles Perret Breast Cancer Support Group. A 2024 recipient of the “Empowerment Advocate” award, she uses her voice to uplift other warriors, sharing her story and spreading encouragement wherever she goes.

Yulandera often says she has no plans to slow down—and with her spirit, why would she? We honor Yulandera Moody tonight for her dedication to using her survival to lift up others—and for showing us that every stage of life is a chance to lead, love, and spread hope.

Andre’ Moreau

Andre’ Moreau is a son, husband to Angie, and father to Joel and Camille, whose life has been shaped by both legacy and resilience. After a successful 20-year career with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Andre’ stepped away from his role as Vice President of Business Development to care for his mother and continue the family business she founded, the Cosmetology Training Center. Their time together deepened after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis—and as her primary caregiver, Andre’ witnessed the true toll cancer takes on a family.

Following his mother’s passing and during sale of the family school, Andre’ had a routine physical that led to a surprising and life-changing prostate cancer diagnosis. What began as a slightly elevated PSA test quickly revealed an aggressive tumor. With strength, faith, and the support of his wife and family, he pursued treatment and found hope in the face of uncertainty. Now 18 months into hormone deprivation therapy and cancer-free, Andre’ has become a voice for early detection and advocacy through a Prostate Support & Awareness Group he helped form with the Miles Perret Cancer Center.

Today, Andre’ is back on the water doing what he loves—and continuing to remind others that healing takes more than medicine. It takes connection, awareness, and courage. We honor Andre’ Moreau tonight as a testament to what it means to fight with purpose and lead with heart.

Dr. Elias Moussaly

Born in a small Lebanese town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Dr. Elias Moussaly learned early on the value of excellence and service. Valedictorian of both his high school and medical school classes, his academic drive was matched only by a deep personal calling—one that became even clearer when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her strength, paired with the compassion of her care team, inspired his path toward oncology and solidified his mission to make a difference in the lives of others.

Dr. Moussaly moved to the United States to continue his medical training, completing his residency in Internal Medicine in New York and a fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper in New Jersey. Today, he serves as a medical oncologist at the JD Moncus Cancer Center of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, where his personal story and professional passion intersect every day. His patients see more than a doctor—they see someone who truly understands what it means to walk the cancer journey with both science and soul.

Outside of work, he is an avid traveler, sports fan, and reader, but his true joy is found in spending time with his wife and son. We honor Dr. Elias Moussaly tonight as a reminder that relationships between patients and doctors lead to healing and that purpose is often born from personal experience.

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Posthumous Honoree

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco was a pioneer, a public servant, and a powerful symbol of resilience and grace. The first woman elected Governor of Louisiana, her 24-year political career was marked by integrity, faith, and an unwavering commitment to the people she served.

Born in New Iberia and raised in Coteau, Blanco became the first in her family to graduate from college. She began her professional life as a teacher and later managed a household of eight with her husband Raymond while raising six children. A brief but transformative role with the U.S. Census ignited a sense of purpose and the confidence to lead.

In 1983, despite doubts that Lafayette was ready for a female legislator, she was elected the first woman to represent the area in the Louisiana House. From there, she became the first woman elected to chair the Public Service Commission and later served as Lieutenant Governor, where she championed tourism and economic development. During this time, she carried the weight of personal tragedy, the loss of her youngest son, Ben, with quiet strength that deeply shaped her compassionate leadership.

In 2003, Blanco shattered a glass ceiling and was elected Louisiana’s 54th Governor. Her tenure prioritized education, healthcare access, and ethical governance, but it was her leadership through the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that defined her time in office. Amid unimaginable loss, Blanco fought for billions in federal recovery funds, established the Road Home Program, and led coastal restoration efforts. She made difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions, including expanding New Orleans’ Recovery School District and reopening the Superdome, not for political gain, but for the long-term well-being of Louisiana and its people.

After choosing not to seek reelection, Blanco retired with a budget surplus and a legacy rooted in service. She continued to advocate for education, healthcare, and poverty relief in retirement. Then in 2011, she was diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a rare form of cancer. She was treated and entered remission. However, by 2017, the cancer had returned, and it spread to her liver. Even in illness, she remained a voice of courage and conviction. She lived each day in service to others, never forgetting the power of faith, perseverance, humility, and heart.

Governor Kathleen Blanco passed away on August 18, 2019, surrounded by her family. Today, her name graces highways, institutions, and history books, but it is her spirit of hope and humanity that continues to guide Louisiana forward.

We honor Kathleen Blanco tonight as posthumous honoree – not only for the history she made, but for the humility, faith, and fierce compassion with which she led. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the barriers she broke, and the state she served with unwavering love.