Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Encyclopedia
History =
Mary Bird Perkins is active in the treatment and early detection of cancer. From the outset, the Center was created to be available to all community members in need of its services—regardless of ability to pay. This charge has remained near and dear to the Center’s mission.
In 1971, the closest choices for radiation treatment for cancer patients in southeast Louisiana were in Texas or Alabama. They could not stay home and get radiation therapy. The community changed that.
Mrs. Anna Lipsey, then chairwoman of the Cancer Society of Greater Baton Rouge, was contacted by physicians who wanted to create a community-owned radiation therapy center in Baton Rouge. Mrs. Lipsey asked Dr. M.J. “Jack” Rathbone Jr., chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society Cancer Committee, for help reaching this goal. Together they formed the Cancer, Radiation and Research Foundation.
In 1968 the Foundation held a capital campaign, which was capped by a major gift from philanthropist Paul D. Perkins whose daughter—Mary Bird—had recently died. The Foundation board expressed its gratitude by naming the Center after her.
Mary Bird Perkins Radiation Treatment Center opened in Baton Rouge in 1971, Hammond in 1988 and Covington in 1998. In 1994, ground was broken for the six-floor expansion at the Essen Lane location.
In 2004 MBP partnered with Louisiana State University (LSU) to create the MBP-LSU Medical Physics and Health Physics Program. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Medical Physics Educational Programs, Inc. (CAMPEP).
In 2008, MBP partnered with Terrebonne General Medical Center and Cancer Care Specialists in Houma, creating MBP's fourth location—Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC. In 2009, in partnership with St. Elizabeth Hospital, MBP opened a fifth location in Gonzales.
Mary Bird Perkins is active in the treatment and early detection of cancer. From the outset, the Center was created to be available to all community members in need of its services—regardless of ability to pay. This charge has remained near and dear to the Center’s mission.
In 1971, the closest choices for radiation treatment for cancer patients in southeast Louisiana were in Texas or Alabama. They could not stay home and get radiation therapy. The community changed that.
Mrs. Anna Lipsey, then chairwoman of the Cancer Society of Greater Baton Rouge, was contacted by physicians who wanted to create a community-owned radiation therapy center in Baton Rouge. Mrs. Lipsey asked Dr. M.J. “Jack” Rathbone Jr., chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society Cancer Committee, for help reaching this goal. Together they formed the Cancer, Radiation and Research Foundation.
In 1968 the Foundation held a capital campaign, which was capped by a major gift from philanthropist Paul D. Perkins whose daughter—Mary Bird—had recently died. The Foundation board expressed its gratitude by naming the Center after her.
Mary Bird Perkins Radiation Treatment Center opened in Baton Rouge in 1971, Hammond in 1988 and Covington in 1998. In 1994, ground was broken for the six-floor expansion at the Essen Lane location.
In 2004 MBP partnered with Louisiana State University (LSU) to create the MBP-LSU Medical Physics and Health Physics Program. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Medical Physics Educational Programs, Inc. (CAMPEP).
In 2008, MBP partnered with Terrebonne General Medical Center and Cancer Care Specialists in Houma, creating MBP's fourth location—Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC. In 2009, in partnership with St. Elizabeth Hospital, MBP opened a fifth location in Gonzales.