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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Expands Access to Care in Central Louisiana

Vernon Oncology Clinic joins statewide cancer care organization.

LEESVILLE, La. – Leesville-area patients now have greater access to advanced cancer care through Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Louisiana’s largest cancer care organization, with Vernon Oncology Clinic becoming part of the statewide network. Now operating under the Mary Bird Perkins name at 1000 N. 5th St., the clinic expands local access to medical oncology, lab services and infusion therapy—bringing high-quality, coordinated care closer to home. This addition, alongside the Cancer Center’s established presence in Alexandria, represents a continued investment in Central Louisiana and reinforces its commitment to improving access to care for patients in rural communities across the state and Southwest Mississippi.

20140601 DSC3374 Edit preferredKanchan Upadhyay, MD, medical oncologist, will continue to see patients at this location. Patients can expect a seamless transition, with the Cancer Center maintaining the compassionate, patient-centered care they have come to expect. Supporting Upadhyay and his staff will be Jenny Anderson, MHA, BSN, RN, CCM, administrator and Samantha DeWitt, regional manager of community engagement and philanthropy.

“Through Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, the Leesville community and residents from across the region will have access to high-quality cancer care close to home,” said Anderson. “Dr. Upadhyay is well-known and trusted in this community. Our integration with Vernon Oncology Clinic allows us to build on this foundation. We will bring together the personalized care provided at Vernon with the additional resources and support of Mary Bird Perkins. Patients will now benefit from a broad network of oncology specialists, an integrated approach to care and greater involvement in clinical research.”

Upadhyay has been in practice since 2002, providing internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology services. 

Mary Bird Perkins plans to expand the clinic’s services to include an array of supportive care and early detection services to more comprehensively meet the cancer care needs of the community.

Learn more about Mary Bird Perkins in Leesville by visiting 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.