Part of 40-year MBPCC Celebration
(Houma) – Staff, physicians, and volunteers of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, gathered July 21 in the hospital’s medical atrium auditorium to help celebrate the Cancer Center’s third birthday. The celebration is part of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBP) organization commemorating 40 years of treating cancer patients. Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO of TGMC; Dr. Raul Doria, medical director, MBP at TGMC; Renea Duffin, vice president of cancer programs, MBP; and Clarke Currie, director of oncology services, MBP at TGMC, addressed guests and shared in the cake and punch.
“We have accomplished many of our goals in three short years,” said Peoples. “We will soon realize a huge achievement and the gift that we will give to our community – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. We have partnered to provide comprehensive cancer services close to home, family and friends for the people of Terrebonne Parish and beyond.” She said the new cancer center is almost complete and a Grand Opening is being planned for October. Dr. Doria spoke of the organization’s commitment to the mission – to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. “Our patients are going to be able to experience a comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer program where they can receive services from prevention and early detection to treatment and survivorship.”
Renea Duffin spoke on behalf of Todd Stevens, president and CEO, MBP, who was unable to attend the celebration. “Todd asked me to express his excitement that we were invited to come here three years ago, and that we have been made to feel so welcome in this community.” She said it is by partnering as a Team that Together Everyone Achieves More. Relating outreach statistics from the cancer programs division, Duffin stated that since 2008 in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary Parishes, more than 2,200 people were educated through health fairs and the speakers’ bureau; 45 screening events were held; more than 1,700 people were screened; and nine cancers were detected.
Clarke Currie, director of oncology services, MBP at TGMC, spoke of his excitement about the new space and even more about the about the development and implementation of models of care involving survivorship – a new focus in cancer care. He also pointed out the addition of a nurse patient navigator to the cancer program to help patients navigate the continuum of cancer care that can be daunting for patients and their families. In concluding, Currie stated, “We have challenges for the future in cancer care, and today’s celebration offers a glimpse at our commitment to get it right.”
The $14.5 million, 49,000 square foot cancer center is on target for a September, 2011 opening.