SHREVEPORT, La. — Dr. Krystal Player-Jackson, director of nursing at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, was named the 2026 ATHENA International Leadership Award recipient Thursday, Nov. 12, during the Greater Shreveport Chamber’s 36th annual ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon.
The event, presented by Ochsner LSU Health, recognized individuals for professional excellence, community service and their commitment to helping women advance into leadership roles.
Player-Jackson, a nationally recognized oncology nursing leader, was selected for her contributions to health care, mentorship and leadership development throughout northwest Louisiana.
“The ATHENA Award honors leaders who lift others along their journey, and Krystal’s career is a powerful example of that spirit,” said Dr. Timothy Magner, president of the Greater Shreveport Chamber. “From her first role as a nursing assistant to leading some of the most advanced cancer care in our region, she has built a legacy of excellence, resilience and service, and she has made it her mission to bring others along with her.”
Player-Jackson began her health care career as a nursing assistant before advancing through multiple levels of nursing leadership. She currently provides executive oversight for eight clinical service lines at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, with responsibility for more than 150 employees and care involving more than 2,000 patients annually.
Among her professional accomplishments, Player-Jackson helped establish north Louisiana’s first chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy program, commonly known as CAR T-cell therapy. The treatment uses genetically modified immune cells to target certain cancers, expanding access to advanced oncology care for patients in the region.
She also has helped guide her organization through significant accreditation milestones and initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Beyond her clinical and administrative responsibilities, Player-Jackson has devoted time to mentoring nurses, students, mothers and emerging leaders. Her work has emphasized professional development and creating opportunities for others to advance in health care and leadership positions.
During Thursday’s luncheon, Player-Jackson was recognized onstage and addressed attendees following the award presentation.
“This year’s honorees represent the very best of leadership and service in our community,” said Audrion Paul, 2026 president of the Chamber’s Business Development Connection. “Krystal’s journey from the bedside to the executive suite, her dedication to her patients and her investment in the people around her capture everything the ATHENA Award stands for.”
The ATHENA International Leadership Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the highest levels of professional achievement, contribute to improving the quality of life in their communities and actively support opportunities for women to reach their full potential.
The Greater Shreveport Chamber has participated in the recognition program for more than three decades, using the annual luncheon to highlight leadership and service among professionals throughout the Shreveport-Bossier region.
Established in 1982, the ATHENA program has recognized more than 8,000 leaders in over 500 communities worldwide, including communities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries.
The Greater Shreveport Chamber, founded in 1910, represents more than 1,300 members and holds five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s recognition of Player-Jackson highlights the role of health care leadership in the region, particularly efforts to expand specialized medical services, develop the health care workforce and prepare future generations of professionals for leadership positions.