Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center To Expand Services, Enhance Northshore Oncology Associates Partnership

Mary Bird Perkins to remain in current location and continue its position as the epicenter for cancer care on the Northshore

(Covington, La.)Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington’s longtime presence on the Northshore continues to grow and evolve, according to the organization’s leadership. This includes a new, expanded partnership with Northshore Oncology Associates (NOA), the leading and most-experienced medical oncology group in Covington, which will practice exclusively at the Cancer Center’s current location, 1203 S. Tyler Street, adjacent to St. Tammany hospital.

“As the organization reached its milestone 50th anniversary this year, we recognize the strides our team has made in cancer care,” said Todd Stevens, president and chief executive officer. “Our sights are clearly set on the future and all we are doing to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer on the Northshore.”

Mary Bird Perkins has worked with NOA physicians, Jack E. Saux, III, MD, James E. Carinder, DO, and Faizan I. Malik, MD, all highly-experienced Northshore doctors, for many years. With this deeper partnership, the group is now further aligned to offer advanced, collaborative care with the Cancer Center’s team of renowned radiation oncologists. Through this relationship progression, NOA will only provide care at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, offering chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other advanced medical oncology services.

Stevens continued, “Regardless of any changes with other community cancer care providers, please know Mary Bird Perkins will continue serving the community in the same location, but with an even more comprehensive cancer program. Our philosophy is to keep a 100% focus on cancer and continually set a higher standard of care for patients,” he said.

Mary Bird Perkins’ radiation oncology services will continue to be delivered by the same physicians who have served the Northshore for many years, bringing world-class care to the region. These physicians include R. Scott Bermudez, MD, Gregory C. Henkelmann, MD and Andrew C. Elson, MD, along with other highly-trained, specialized staff. This team’s priority is to provide the most effective radiation treatments and technology to eliminate cancer and minimize exposure to healthy organs and tissue.

In addition to radiation and medical oncology services, Mary Bird Perkins will focus on providing a comprehensive patient experience with advanced diagnostic imaging, national clinical trials and all of the resources and expertise available throughout the Cancer Center’s extensive network.

“The joining of Mary Bird Perkins and Northshore Oncology Associates further establishes our commitment to the Northshore region, a close connection that has existed for more than 20 years,” said Mike Miranda, administrator, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington. “We feel fortunate to serve as the community’s cancer center and enjoy a close connection to our patients, volunteers, supporters and so many others. Our commitment is to continue our forward-thinking approach and provide expert, compassionate care to every individual and family members impacted by cancer.”

Stevens mentioned that many of key services that help ensure the most effective outcomes are made available by generous community support, another indication of the Northshore’s close bond with Mary Bird Perkins. Services provided by philanthropic donations include patient navigation, nutritional counseling, financial counseling a food pantry, transportation assistance and more. Another important program funded by supporters is Prevention on the Go, a prevention, education and early detection program, which has provided nearly 100,000 cancer screenings. Prevention on the Go will continue traveling throughout the Northshore to community locations and businesses to help prevent cancer when possible and detect it in its earliest stages when it is more curable. Visit marybird.org/get-screened.org for the mobile cancer screening schedule.

For more information on Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington, please visit marybird.org/covington.

About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for 50 years. The cancer care organization provides care at nine centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, Zachary and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. For more information, please visit www.marybird.org.