ALEXANDRIA, La. – Expanding access to compassionate, high-quality cancer care for patients across Central Louisiana, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has strengthened its regional leadership with the addition of Jenny Anderson, MHA, BSN, RN, CCM as administrator and Samantha DeWitt as regional manager of community engagement and philanthropy.
Anderson has been a member of the Mary Bird Perkins team since 2023. She most recently served as the Cancer Center’s senior manager of strategic projects, providing executive-level oversight for a multi-million-dollar clinical expansion, capital construction and innovation initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational growth strategy and financial sustainability. She built and led the first Project Management Office at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, unifying project governance, standardizing operations and enabling the successful execution of capital builds and systemwide operational initiatives.
In her new role as administrator, Anderson focuses on strategic planning, budgeting and fiscal oversight for the Central Louisiana and Southwest region and works to ensure sites located in these areas continue to offer the highest quality cancer care for patients and grow to meet the diverse needs of the population.
DeWitt is a native of Central Louisiana. She is a dedicated and results-driven professional with extensive experience in administrative support, business operations and retail management. She most recently worked as the marketing and client engagement coordinator for Theus Law Offices in Alexandria.
As regional manager – community engagement & philanthropy, DeWitt is responsible for advancing community-centered cancer initiatives while supporting philanthropic strategies that fund cancer prevention, early detection, care, and survivorship programs throughout Central Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi. She will build and nurture relationships with diverse community partners, cancer survivors, advocacy groups and donors.
“We are proud to serve patients across Central Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi and value leaders like Jenny and Samantha who understand the unique needs of this region,” said Jodi Conachen, chief operating officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “At Mary Bird Perkins, we are committed to ensuring patients and their families have access to high-quality, convenient cancer care in as many locations as possible, especially in rural areas. Jenny and Samantha will play a key role in expanding access across the region, helping us reach communities that have historically faced barriers to care. Through their leadership, they will advance our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer.”
In 2024, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center expanded into new regions of the state, providing new resources and services. Mary Bird Perkins’ teams are currently working to bring additional robust cancer care to areas where it is most needed.
Mary Bird Perkins’ Central Louisiana sites include Alexandria (3516 North Blvd, B) and Opelousas (3983 I-49 South Service Rd) and Natchez, Miss. (133 Jeff Davis Blvd.)
For more information about Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and its sites in central Louisiana, visit marybird.org.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s largest cancer care organization and has been leading the fight against cancer for more than 50 years. Founded in Baton Rouge in 1971 by a group of community leaders, the Cancer Center now serves every region of Louisiana and communities across southwest Mississippi. With the most expansive team of highly-trained oncologists leveraging innovative therapies and technologies, Mary Bird Perkins is offering the most personalized treatment options available in the Gulf South. The Cancer Center’s emphasis on community-based care allows patients to access these resources close to home. From early detection through our innovative Prevention on the Go screening and education program, to diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer, Mary Bird Perkins offers a wide array of individualized support services to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. For more information, visit marybird.org.
