History of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

In the late 1960s, sixteen community leaders headed by Dr. M.J. Rathbone, Jr. and Anna B. Lipsey saw the need for a community owned, nonprofit radiation cancer facility in the greater Baton Rouge area. With both the vision and financial support of the Baton Rouge community the Cancer Radiation and Research Foundation – now known as Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center – was established.

In 1968, the Foundation held a capital campaign capped by a generous gift of land from philanthropist Paul D. Perkins, whom he made in honor of his late daughter, Mary Bird. In 1971, the Mary Bird Perkins Radiation Treatment Center opened its doors in Baton Rouge. After 14 years of operation, in 1985, Mary Bird Perkins relocated to its present site on Essen Lane and installed the first linear accelerator in the state. The following year, in 1986, the name of the center was changed to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

In 1988, the first satellite treatment center was opened in Hammond, followed by 3 more Centers in southeast Louisiana: Covington in 1998, Houma in 2008 and Gonzales in 2009

From its inception, the mission of Mary Bird Perkins (MBP) has been to provide the highest quality  radiation therapy and compassionate support to all patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay. This commitment, created by the Center’s founders, has been generously supported year after year by the local community.

Today, Mary Bird Perkins is not only a leader in providing state-of-the-art radiation therapy across southeast Louisiana, but it is also bringing screenings and early detection programs, education and research to its 18-parishes service area. Through multiple innovative partnerships, Mary Bird Perkins is succeeding in its mission to fight cancer.

Mary Bird Perkins was and still remains a community project. It is through support from the community and partner organizations that MBP will successfully meet future challenges of providing patients with state-of-the-art technology, a committed radiation team and the best cancer care available – without having to leave home.