The Academic cancer organization aims to bring care closer to 20% of the population who had to leave Orange County for specialized care.
City of Hope Orange County opens the doors to its new comprehensive cancer center in Irvine, California, today.
The Lennar Foundation Cancer Center brings cancer care closer to Orange County and fulfills City of Hope's promise to invest more than $1 billion to transform the way cancer care is delivered.
City of Hope Orange County's president, Annette Walker, told HealthLeaders she's excited that this day has finally come, which was in part made possible by a $50 million gift from the Lennar Foundation
"It felt like such a worthy aspiration for such a long time," she said. "We went to such lengths to make sure that it felt more like hospitality than a hospital; that it had a welcoming ambiance, and that our gardens were places where patients could gather themselves and/or get some rest from whatever they were having to experience or think about. Now, it's no longer an aspiration."
The center has 67 exam rooms, 15 consultation rooms, an infusion center, a full-service salon with oncology-trained cosmetologists, a retail and specialty pharmacy, a full range of laboratory services, and a peaceful atmosphere including a healing garden and art galleries featuring artists from across the country and Orange County. Patients, their families, and community members all had input on the design and features.
The center, which will have the most advanced cancer equipment, diagnostics, and specialists, Walker said, will also have a large focus on clinical trials and research, breakthrough treatments, cancer prevention, early detection through screening and diagnostic services, precision medicine, surgical oncology, and supportive care, all in one building.
"At their first meeting, our patients will be able to see all the people that are pertinent to their diagnosis, and to get all their advice … and to make sure everybody knows the patient's preferences and what the patient wants to do," she said. "You've got the capability, you have the beauty, and have what will be a remarkable experience for our patients from all aspects of the cancer journey."
Construction on the cancer center started in September 2020, which started after the organization found that 20% of the Orange County population was needing to travel outside the county to receive specialty cancer care at the time.
In addition to the grand opening of the cancer center, City of Hope Orange County will also be celebrating the groundbreaking of its hospital on the same campus.
Currently, City of Hope Orange County's cancer care network includes two regional clinics in Newport Beach, one in Huntington Beach, and now one in Irving. The planned hospital and regional clinics will create the largest cancer treatment network in Orange County.
"Hope is here," Walker said. "We love our patients and it's a great privilege to have this opportunity to serve them in this way."
Related: City of Hope Orange County President on Community Cancer Needs
Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.