Why do so many people turn to Mary Bird Perkins? It’s because we have some of the best cancer minds in the country, spending every moment taking cancer care to the next level. Our team includes clinicians, physicians and hospital and university partners collaborating to deliver stellar cancer care. Our patients tell us that there’s no other team they’d trust with their care, and we are honored to be there for them.
Cordell HaymonImmediate Past ChairPSC Group, Retired
Hank SaurageChairSaurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate
Jerry GossSecretary/TreasurerGoss Wealth Management LLC
Matt MullinsVice ChairAlexander Sides
Jonas Fontenot, PhD, MBAPresident and CEOMary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Andrew Elson, M.D.Medical DirectorSoutheast Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group
Rolfe MillerChair, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer FoundationMiller Group Wealth Strategies of Raymond James
Bryan J. Bienvenu, M.D. Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates
Karen BreauxEAG Gulf Coast, LLC
Tee BrownGMFS, LLC
Sandra BrownSouthern University’s College of Nursing and Allied Health
Robert BurgessHealthcare Executive (Retired)
Mark DearmanPSC Group
Kyle FranceLouisiana Business Advisory Group
Tom GalliganLSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Cathy GieringKeogh, Cox & Wilson, Ltd.
Steven MooreSteven J. Moore, LLC, Attorney at Law
Rebecca NelsonCommunity Volunteer
Anthony O’ConnorArthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC
Joseph B. “Beau” OlindeRetired
Kristin WallLouisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation
Chairman EmeritusJ. H. Campbell, Jr.W. Patton Culbertson, Jr., PH.D.Brett P. Furr Robert S. Greer, Jr.*D. Jensen Holliday*J. Gerard Jolly Richard A. LipseyTom J. Meek, Jr., M.D.Art E. FavreThomas J. AdamekBill O’Quin M. J. Rathbone, Jr., M.D.*Donna M. Saurage
Secretary/Treasurer EmeritusAnna B. Lipsey*
Medical Director EmeritusJames E. Hancock, M.D.*Gregory C. Henkelmann, M.D.Sheldon A. Johnson, M.D.Thomas G. Sawyer, M.D.Charles G. Wood, M.D. Maurice L. King, Jr., M.D.
Director EmeritusWallace F. Armstrong*John W. Barton, Sr.*Mark P. BensabatLee Michael BergTerence Beven, M.D.Frederic T. Billings III, M.D.John C. BoyceRichard C. Boyer, M.D.Lynnwood J. Brassett, M.D.*L. Heidel Brown *Redfield E. Bryan, Jr., M.D.D. V. Cacioppo, M.D. *Dudley W. Coates *Beth CourtneyLouis D. Curet*Mortimer F. Currier, M.D.*Teri G. FontenotCharles C. Garvey*Alice D. Greer G. Lee Griffin*R. Bryan Griffith, Jr., M.D.Merrill O. Hines, Jr., M.D.*Rose J. HudsonHenry W. Jolly, Jr., M.D. *David Kahn, M.D. *Preston V. Kors *Eric R. LaneLaurie LipseySusan H. LipseyMichael H. MartinLillian MaurinFrank D. McArthur IISancy McCool *C. Brent McCoyHillar C. Moore, Jr.*Hermann Moyse, Jr. *Julius H. Mullins, Sr., M.D. *John W. Munson, D.D.S. *Don H. Neufeld*G.T. Owen, Jr. *G.T. Owen III *Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.Cynthia B. Peterson, Ph.D. Thomas Ramsey, M.D.*Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.Harry D. Richardson *Eula W. Palmer Rogers, M.D. *Gary A. Sligar*John F. Smith Robert M. Stuart, Sr.Troye A. Svendson*O. M. Thompson, Jr., M.D.Paul R. ThompsonRoland M. ToupsTodd D. StevensJ. Ralph Vannoy, M.D. *D. Randolph WaescheMaurice J. Wilson, M.D. *Allie Woolfolk, M.D. *
It was not so long ago in 1971 when grim statistics fueled the United States declaring the “War on Cancer.” Today paints a different picture. Cancer mortality rates have decreased 20 percent. People are living longer and beating the disease, and survivorship is expected to rise by 30 percent within the next several years. Advancements in treatment have been remarkable. At Mary Bird Perkins, we are actively helping make this progress possible through our leadership, research and care delivery. Together, with likeminded partners, we are pushing forward in the fight against cancer.
The Cancer Center and its hospital partners provide innovative treatments and unparalleled collaborative cancer services. This includes our nationally-recognized efforts in cancer prevention and disease site-specific multidisciplinary care teams. Also, along with LSU Health Sciences Centers in New Orleans and Shreveport, Mary Bird Perkins was selected by the National Cancer Institutes to participate in a novel approach to clinical trial delivery.
Through this culture of innovation, Mary Bird Perkins is attracting the best cancer minds in the country, from expert physicians and highly specialized scientists to forward-thinking leaders in supportive care and other disciplines. This translates into patients having access to the highest-quality cancer care in the communities where they live. That is what drives us: always putting the patient first.
Jonas Fontenot, PhD, MBAPresident and CEO
Renea Austin–DuffinVP Cancer Support, Outreach & Clinical Research
Jodi ConachenChief Operating Officer
Jared LeDouxVP Human Resources
Danielle Mack, CFREVP Chief Philanthropy Officer
Trent Holmes, CPAVP Finance & Administration Chief Financial Officer
Melissa O’BanionVP Marketing and Communications
Mike MirandaCancer Center Administrator – Northshore
Ryan HoustonCancer Programs Adminstrator – Community Site
Michelle WilliamsCancer Center Administrator – Baton Rouge
Renee DeMossCancer Center Administrator – CENLA
Jena AucoinCancer Center Adminstrator – Southshore
Andre’ Bonnecaze, M.D.Internal Medicine and Palliative Care
Victor Lin, M.D., Ph.D.Genetics and Clinical Research
Konstantin Kovtun, M.D.Adaptive Radiation Therapy
Andrew Elson, M.D.Radiation Oncology
Constance Blunt, M.D.Cancer Prevention and Outreach
Daniel LaVie, M.D.Hematology and Medical Oncology
Andrew Dalovisio, M.D.Myeloma, Lymphoma, and Cellular Therapy Program
Mindy Bowie, M.D., FACSBreast Surgical Oncology
Scott Delacroix Jr., M.D., FACSUrologic Oncology
In 2022, Baton Rouge General Cancer Center (BRG) and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center partnered to expand and enhance cancer care resources in the Greater Baton Rouge area.
This partnership enables Baton Rouge General and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to work together to make it easier for patients to receive the highest quality cancer care close to home. It also serves the missions of both organization by emphasizing a strong community focus on prevention, early detection and treatment.
Both organizations share technology and collaborate on clinical programs like clinical trials, nutrition, rehabilitation, support groups and medical oncology, and connect patients with enhanced treatment options. Whether patients choose to receive care at Mary Bird Perkins or Baton Rouge General, linked electronic medical record systems streamline treatments and communication. Depending on patients’ needs and preferences, they can receive care from either organization, or both, as some medical oncologists rotate between facilities.
Since 2017, Woman’s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Our Lady of the Lake have partnered to increase access to cancer care for women battling breast and gynecologic (GYN) cancers. This collaboration blends the recognized expertise of each organization in caring for women with cancer to deliver the most advanced, coordinated care throughout Baton Rouge and region.
The partnership has increased access to physician specialists, offered additional treatment options and clinical trials and enhanced support and survivorship programs. In addition, physicians, nurses and other cancer care professionals have access to a wider array of resources to provide the most focused, individualized patient care plans.
In 2018, the Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion was built, providing a physical location to offer a convenient, comprehensive array of Breast & GYN cancer services. The state-of-the-art facility is located on Woman’s Hospital’s campus and houses diagnostic services, outpatient surgery, infusion (chemotherapy), radiation therapy, clinical trials and physician offices.
Women from throughout the region are choosing the Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion to receive the unique level of care offered by some of the foremost experts in the country.
Cancer Services and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBPCC) joined forces in an effort to provide support services to those impacted by cancer in Southeast Louisiana. For more than 60 years, the organization has worked closely with cancer patients during their treatment and recovery to ensure they maintain a healthy wellbeing, medical equipment, nutritional supplements and more. Cancer centers from throughout the region refer patients and their families to Cancer Services for critical support and assistance to patients and their families.
Cancer Services serves about 4,000 people per year, including children and their siblings impacted by cancer.
In 2008, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center formed a partnership with the hospital, Terrebonne General Health System, and Cancer Care Specialists. Each party had one goal in mind: to offer residents of the Bayou Region a comprehensive cancer center, close to home.
Since then, the Cancer Center has grown and evolved to meet the needs of the community, but its mission has remained the same: to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer.
This mission is especially important in Louisiana – a state that suffers from high cancer mortality rates due to lack of access to care, delayed diagnosis and other factors.
As a comprehensive cancer facility, the Cancer Center provides the full continuum of cancer care – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survivorship. The Center’s services include screening, mammography, education, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Clinical trials and patient navigators – nurses who guide patients through the treatment process – are available as well.
The Cancer Center offers world-class diagnostic and treatment technology, including the Elekta Infinity linear accelerator. This leading-edge technology enable faster, more accurate treatments.
The Cancer Center offers free cancer screenings, community education and support opportunities for cancer patients throughout the year. Residents of the Bayou Region can also get free cancer screenings though the Early Bird, a mobile medical clinic that helps bring early detection to the uninsured at times and locations that are convenient.
The new center – constructed by the McDonnel Group – is also the first building in the region and the first hospital in Louisiana to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. And while these achievements are something to celebrate, the real focus of the new Cancer Center is the patient.
In 2023, Opelousas General Health System (OGHS) and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center formed a strategic partnership to expand and enhance cancer care in the Greater Opelousas area. Through this collaboration, patients in Acadiana now have convenient access to Louisiana’s largest team of cancer care specialists, supported by Mary Bird Perkins’ more than 50-year legacy of providing expert, oncology-focused services. Cancer care will continue to be offered on OGHS’ South Campus, located at 3983 I-49 S. Service Rd., ensuring continuity and accessibility for patients. United by a shared commitment to prevention, early detection, treatment and community outreach, this partnership strengthens both organizations’ missions and enhances the level of care available to patients across the region.
In May 2025, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Franklin Medical Center formed a partnership to enhance access to high-quality cancer care in the Winnsboro region. This collaboration combines Franklin Medical Center’s strong community presence with Mary Bird Perkins’ comprehensive oncology expertise, bringing the state’s largest and most specialized cancer care network directly to patients in northeast Louisiana. Oncology and hematology services continue to be offered at Mary Bird Perkins’ clinic located on the campus of Franklin Medical Center, with care led by Manish Dhawan, M.D., a trusted provider who has served the Winnsboro community for over five years. Supported by experienced local staff and Mary Bird Perkins’ multidisciplinary team, patients receive expert, seamless care close to home. As the partnership grows, plans include expanding clinical support, enhancing technologies, and increasing access to innovative research and resources traditionally available only in major metropolitan areas.
