Groundbreaking Kicks off New Facility for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC
(Houma, LA) -- Today, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of a new leading-edge cancer facility to serve the Bayou region. A former patient was on hand to share her support for the new building.
"The quality of medical care and the compassion I received during my treatment was unparalleled," said Karen Schilling, former patient and breast cancer survivor. "I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the building of this new facility that will help so many more people like me."
"Today we are excited to be breaking ground for a state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer center --Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC -- where all services needed for cancer care will be under one roof," Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO of Terrebonne General Medical Center, told those assembled for the event, including Michel Claudet, Terrebonne Parish President and Arlanda Williams, Terrebonne Parish Council chairwoman.
Todd Stevens, president and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins, echoed that enthusiasm. "The driving force behind this initiative is the patient - so that we may better serve them. We are grateful for this partnership so that together we can provide patients with everything they need, at home, to battle this disease."
Dr. Raul Doria, medical director of the cancer program of Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC and physician partner, explained that providing personalized cancer care and enhancing services to be the top provider of cancer treatment in this area is our goal with the new center. "The new cancer center will provide patients with the same excellent services they have been receiving but in a beautiful environment and in one convenient location."
Dr. Jeffrey Long, radiation oncologist for the new cancer center, and a member of the Southeast Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group practicing exclusively at Mary Bird Perkins locations, called the center "high tech and high touch" and said the new facility will allow for different cancer experts to work together under one roof giving patients the maximum in comprehensive, compassionate care.
Both Jerry Jolly, chairman, Board of Directors, Mary Bird Perkins, and Mike Voison, chairman, TGMC Board of Commissioners, were also on the agenda. The Blessing of the Ground was offered by Reverend Craig Dalferes, board member, TGMC.
Mary Bird Perkins, Terrebonne General Medical Center and Cancer Care Specialists partner to provide a comprehensive cancer program on the TGMC campus, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC. As a multidisciplinary cancer program, it provides the entire continuum of cancer care, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survivorship. The Center optimizes comprehensive cancer care through outreach; diagnostic capabilities; chemotherapy; clinical research trials; radiation therapy; surgical interventions; and an inpatient cancer unit.
The new -- over 49,000 square foot -- cancer center is scheduled to open in early 2011 and will be located on TGMC's main campus. The partnership has invested $5 million in leading-edge cancer technology which includes an image-guided high-energy linear accelerator; advanced intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment capability; image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) treatment capability; positron emission tomography and computed tomography capabilities (PET/CT); sophisticated planning stations; and physics and dosimetry quality assurance instrumentation and software.
The main hospital facility will also offer an arsenal of complementary diagnostic capabilities, including a 64-slice CT scan; Tesla 3.0 MRI; digital mammography; and Breast Specific Gamma Imaging -- all interconnected and in very close proximity -- as well as the expertise of a highly trained clinical oncology staff.
The facility will be supported by the 13-member medical physics team on staff at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. There will also be three full-time medical oncology specialists from Cancer Care Specialists with a combined total of more than 45 years of experience in fighting cancer in our community.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC will continue to expand outreach services with a grassroots approach to saving lives through free education and early detection initiatives. In 2009, nearly 600 people were screened for breast, prostate, colorectal and skin cancers -- all at no cost to the patient. In addition, over 300 people were reached at educational events where cancer educational information was shared.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC:
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is nationally accredited with commendation for excellence in cancer care by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) -- the gold standard for community-based cancer care. The multidisciplinary cancer program offers immediate access to a wealth of technology and clinical expertise for the Houma community and the greater Bayou region.
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