HJBR Nov/Dec 2021

46 NOV / DEC 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs comes to cancer treatment. Through our innova- tive Adaptive MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy Pro- gram, we’ll have the ability to attract and recruit some of the most experienced and gifted oncolo- gists from across the country to join our renowned group of medical and radiation specialists.” The $10 million-plus Adaptive MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy Program is a culmination of an investment from the cancer center, commu- nity donors, and the Art Favre family. The fund- ing from Mary Bird Perkins is dedicated to the capital investment needed to enhance the facili- ties and clinical resources. A transformational gift from the Favre family, as well as community phi- lanthropy, will secure the technology and expand the Adaptive MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy pro- grammatic and research resources needed today and in the future. Ultimately, this program will strengthen Mary Bird Perkins’ reputation as the most advanced cancer treatment center in the Gulf South and will propel the organization into the ranks of leading facilities across the nation. “One of the reasons my colleagues and I are here today is because Mary Bird Perkins provides a platform to realize our potential and advance cancer care,” said Jonas Fontenot, MD, chief operating officer and chief of medical physics. “Adaptive MRI-Guide Radiation Therapy is the latest example of Mary Bird Perkins’ ongoing growth and development.” In August, the cancer center announced a part- nership with OneOncology, the national platform for independent oncology practices. The part- nership will extend Mary Bird Perkins’ access to a broad network of physicians across the coun- try, information technology assets and national buying power. LSU College of Science Dean Cynthia Peter- son, who is also the LSU president’s special advi- sor on science and has served as a member of the Mary Bird Perkins Board of Directors for six years, said, “We continue to be fortunate and have earned amazing support from philanthro- pists to advance the Cancer Center’s mission, including the Dr. Charles M. Smith Medical and Health Physics Program, a joint Mary Bird Perkins and LSU initiative. With the potential that comes from a partner such as OneOncology, tremen- dous growth in medical physics and other clin- ical programs, Mary Bird Perkins is ensuring its longevity for today and in the future.” In the past decade, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has expanded its footprint throughout the Greater Baton Rouge Region, Bayou Region, the Northshore, Delta Region and Southwest Mississippi. “As the Cancer Center celebrates its 50th year of serving patients across our region, I have wit- nessed Mary Bird Perkins’ strength and resolve in an ever-changing healthcare industry to remain focused and do more in the fight against can- cer,” said Art Favre, board chairman, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, immediate past board chair, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “The future shines very bright for Mary Bird Perkins, as the team’s focus is always centered on serving patients’ needs. The decades of success can be attributed to the quality of their entire team, the leading-edge expertise of their oncologists and the unbridled passion everyone in the organiza- tion has for serving the community. I am confident Mary Bird Perkins’ founders would be extremely proud of the Cancer Center’s position today. It is what inspired my family to invest in this innova- tive program.” Facility remodeling and construction required to house the Elekta Unity system will begin in the first quarter of 2022, with the technology being installed as early as June. By late summer, the Cancer Center expects to begin treating patients. This therapy will be made available to Mary Bird Perkins patients across every market in which it operates. Louisiana Healthcare Connections Awards Six Community Health Grants Louisiana Healthcare Connections has announced the award of $100,000 in grant fund- ing to six community organizations in support of their efforts to address hunger and food insecu- rity in Louisiana communities. Grant recipients include: St. Martin Hospital Road to Good Health Program • This award-winning program, facilitated by registered dieticians and nurse practi- tioners, encourages health and wellness through education, outreach, and preven- tative care. Funding will assist in expanding the program to include healthy food access in rural areas, addressing food insecurity as well as diabetes, obesity, and other health issues. The Family Tree Healthy Start Parent Store • This free program for pregnant women and parents with children up to 18 months of age will provide individualized assistance in the Acadiana area through the parent store to address food insecurity and practical strategies for making healthy food choices for a healthy start. Food Bank of Central Louisiana Mobile Pantries • To help mitigate food insecurity in Central Louisiana, funds for this project will support operations for the food bank’s mobile pan- try program which provides food to eco- nomically disadvantaged families in com- munities without existing local charitable food services. Volunteers of America of North Louisiana Healthy Living Project • This project will provide education to adults with serious mental illness about how to access, shop for, and prepare fresh and healthy food, in addition to how to moni- tor the positive impact these diet and life- style changes have on their physical and mental well-being. West Jefferson Hospital Foundation Wellthy Farmer’s Market • Directly contributing to healthy out- comes, Medicaid-enrolled patients who do not have access to healthy choices will be provided with nutritional education and “Wellthy Bucks” to purchase locally sourced, farm fresh items. The Walls Project, Hustle and Grow Program • Funding for this community gardening pro- gram will allow healthy produce options to continue to be distributed in the North Baton Rouge area, considered a food des- ert, as well as the expansion of the Hustle & Grow curriculum to be offered to upwards of 75 high school students with training in urban agriculture toward certifications in Agritechnology and Horticulture. “Improving health outcomes requires more than just access to quality medical care,” states