BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — More services are coming to cancer patients in rural areas of Louisiana. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has partnered with MD Clinics to service North and Central Louisiana.
The CEO and President of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center spoke to Fox 44’s Christina Jensen about why this is such a pivotal moment for the cancer center and for the state.
“Louisiana is one of the states that has the unfortunate distinction of being in the top five of both cancer mortality and cancer incidents, so that speaks to a profound need not only in the state as a whole, but in particular those areas that face the most acute shortages of healthcare access,” said Jonas Fontenot, CEO and President, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
For the last 50 years, the cancer center has serviced Louisiana. However, in April more areas will be serviced.
Knowing the signs of seasonal affective disorder “So, I’m really excited and thrilled to be able to have the opportunity for us to prove to communities in Central and North Louisiana that they are going to have access to the same types of capabilities and resources that we have become known for in the communities that we have been part of for the last 50 years,” said Fontenot.
The cancer center plans to take over eight MD Clinics. Staff will become integrated. Locations include: Alexandria, Natchitoches, Jonesboro, Winnsboro, Shreveport and much more. Fontenot explains how those communities are in need of help when it comes to access to quality healthcare.
According to the Louisiana Tumor Registry, statistics show more people are dying from cancer in North and Central Louisiana. Death rates are about 15 to 20% higher than the national average.
“Anytime you have a lack of access to high quality, health care in general, whether it be cancer care, primary care, whatever the case may be, the outcomes associated with any acute chronic disease are going to be worse,” said Fontenot.
Fontenot hopes the new partnership could help reduce some of those grim outcomes. He also said by summer of 2024 the cancer center should have fully integrated and will be open for business.
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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a non-profit organization that relies on the communities they serve to enhance their mission.
They provide free screenings, awareness/education events and much more. For more information, click here .
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