Redlands Community Hospital Opens Jack and Laura Dangermond Center for Radiation Therapy, Expanding Local Cancer Care Access
核心洞察
Redlands Community Hospital has opened the new 7,364-square-foot Jack and Laura Dangermond Center for Radiation Therapy to expand local cancer care capacity.
The facility houses a new linear accelerator for high-energy X-ray treatment and includes dedicated space for a future PET/CT scanner.
More than 8,600 San Bernardino County residents are diagnosed with cancer annually, underscoring the growing regional need for accessible treatment.
Redlands Community Hospital has inaugurated the Jack and Laura Dangermond Center for Radiation Therapy, a new facility designed to bring advanced cancer radiation treatment closer to home for patients across the Inland Empire. The 7,364-square-foot center, located at 247 Terracina Blvd. directly across from the main hospital, celebrated its grand opening on May 27 and represents the newest addition to the hospital's Center for Cancer Care.
"The opening of the new Jack and Laura Dangermond Center for Radiation Therapy marks a historic milestone for Redlands Community Hospital and the future of cancer care in our region," said Adam Thunell, president and CEO of Redlands Community Hospital. "Cancer treatment can be demanding and we're proud to offer high-quality, compassionate services that are close to home when our patients and their caregivers need it the most."
Addressing a Growing Regional Need
The expansion responds to significant demand for oncology services in the region. More than 8,600 San Bernardino County residents are diagnosed with cancer annually, and treatment can involve months of appointments, tests, procedures, and recovery. By expanding local capacity, the hospital aims to reduce the burden of travel for patients already managing the physical and emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis.
Technology and Infrastructure
The new center houses a state-of-the-art linear accelerator, a machine that delivers high-energy X-rays to target cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The facility also includes dedicated space for a future PET/CT scanner, positioning the center to offer comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities under one roof.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Care
The radiation therapy center builds on Redlands Community Hospital's existing Center for Cancer Care, which combines advanced treatment modalities with wraparound support services. Patients are supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists, nurses, radiologists, pathologists, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, dietitians, and financial counselors.
The hospital offers chemotherapy, infusion services, genetic counseling, and rehabilitation programs, alongside newer treatment options such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Physicians meet regularly through tumor board conferences to review cases and develop individualized treatment plans. A nurse navigator helps coordinate appointments, tests, and procedures while connecting patients with resources throughout their cancer journey.
Philanthropic Support
The facility was made possible through philanthropic contributions from several donors. Bengt Gustavsson, president of the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation, expressed gratitude for the community support. "As demand for cancer care in the region grows, we are grateful to our generous donors for their gifts that helped us build this facility that will make an impact in Redlands and all of our surrounding communities for generations to come," Gustavsson said.
Donors include Esri (搜索), the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, Stater Bros. Charities, Inland Women Fighting Cancer through the Believe Walk, and individual donors.
Patient Impact
The significance of local, compassionate cancer care is exemplified by patients like Evalyn Velazquez, a 30-year-old Riverside mother of four who was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer (搜索). As a back office medical assistant and phlebotomist at the Center for Cancer Care, Velazquez experienced a profound shift when she became a patient at the same facility where she had spent her days helping others.
"During the whole process, I felt comfortable and safe," Velazquez said. "I trusted my team and that took a lot of the fear away." She completed her final round of radiation in April 2026 and will continue immunotherapy through early 2027. Her experience, hospital leaders say, reflects the kind of care they aim to provide to more patients through the expanded center.