Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announced its expansion into new regions of the state through a strategic alliance with MD Clinics—a cancer care provider with locations spanning central and north Louisiana. The integration, beginning in April 2024, will be reflected with all MD Clinics locations becoming Mary Bird Perkins locations, significantly expanding the Cancer Center’s footprint across Louisiana. The new partnership is poised to enhance the groundwork laid by MD Clinics by providing additional resources and services, fostering a collaborative approach to providing cancer care that aligns with the shared missions of both organizations. The partnership represents a unified effort to bring more robust cancer care to these regions.
Mary Bird Perkins’ expansion into central and north Louisiana marks a significant milestone in its 50-plus year history and delivers on the organization’s mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer by providing high-quality cancer care close to home. Over the past few years, the Cancer Center has unveiled state-of-the-art technology, recruited additional oncology experts, forged new partnerships, initiated phase one clinical trials, and expanded its education and early detection programs.
MD Clinics’ physicians and team members will join the Cancer Center team, remaining at their current locations. Patients will also continue to receive care at the location most convenient for them, including specialty support services already available at several clinics.
Through the integration, Mary Bird Perkins will be able to enhance services already being provided in these regions of the state where the need is great. According to the Louisiana Tumor Registry, cancer mortality rates in central and north Louisiana are 15-20 percent higher than the national average.
Jonas Fontenot, PhD, MBA, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, expressed enthusiasm for the integration, stating, "We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with the MD Clinics team, who share our vision for empowering providers with the resources needed to deliver exceptional cancer care to patients in their own communities.”
Through the integration with MD Clinics and its partnerships with other organizations, Mary Bird Perkins will provide oncology services at 18 locations across the state.