April 25, 2024
Expanding access to cancer care in Southern California
Kaiser Permanente has opened a new Radiation Oncology Center and MRI Center at the Bellflower Medical Offices.
The facility was intentionally designed around natural daylight to create a calming, tranquil environment for patients to heal.
Bringing high-quality cancer care closer to home for nearly 400,000 members in Southeast Los Angeles and increasing the availability of imaging services, Kaiser Permanente added a Radiation Oncology Center and MRI Center on the campus of its Bellflower Medical Offices.
Growing our footprint of cancer centers
The Radiation Oncology Center, which opened to patients earlier this year, is the fourth radiation therapy site in Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California region. The 33,000-square-foot facility is equipped with advanced cancer treatment technology including 3 linear accelerators, a CT scanner, and shelled spaces that can be transformed to accommodate future breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
Each treatment suite is exposed to natural light, creating a peaceful and healing environment for the patient. Rooms are also equipped with speakers, and patients can request music of their choice to be played during their treatment session.
The clinical suite is comprised of 9 exam rooms and 8 provider offices. All patient vitals, including weight and blood pressure, can be taken inside the exam rooms using high-tech chairs for added privacy.
The MRI Center houses 3 MRI scanners, allowing the nearby Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center to focus exclusively on inpatient imaging needs.
“The Bellflower Radiation Oncology Center and MRI Center represents our continued commitment to providing our members with easy access to compassionate, high-quality specialty care in their neighborhood,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Southern California and Hawaii. “I am proud to celebrate the opening of another state-of-the-art facility as we support our oncology patients on their healing journey.”
- Public square
- Linear accelerator
- Treatment suite outside view
- CT scanner
- MRI center lobby
An immediate impact on one member
Before the opening of the Radiation Oncology Center, members in the Downey service area were required to travel to the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Anaheim Medical Center, or Ontario Medical Center for treatment.
Maria Madrigal, a Kaiser Permanente member from Compton, is thankful to have avoided such a long commute.
Madrigal was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in August 2023 and underwent surgery the following month to remove the tumor. She then had her initial consultation with Radiation Oncology in February 2024 — during the same week the center opened — and was able to receive radiation therapy at the Bellflower facility.
“Without this center, it would have been so much harder to get the care I needed,” said Madrigal. “My husband would not have been able to take me to my appointments given his work schedule and the travel time to either Hollywood or east Anaheim. Having him present for emotional support meant everything to me during such a trying time.”
Designed with sustainability in mind
The Radiation Oncology Center and MRI Center is an all-electric facility that has eliminated the use of natural gas. Before construction, extensive solar studies were conducted to determine the optimal orientation for the building to reduce energy loads.
Low-water-use plants and a water-efficient sub-surface drip irrigation system help save approximately 104,000 gallons of water per month — the equivalent of what is used monthly by 12 homes.
The Kaiser Permanente difference
A 2021 study found that compared to nonintegrated health care systems, Kaiser Permanente achieved 15% lower mortality rates across 8 common types of cancer.
“Kaiser Permanente provides world-class cancer care with some of the best 5-year outcomes,” said Ramin Davidoff, MD, executive medical director for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. “Expanding access to this cancer care in an integrated, comprehensive fashion through the expertise of our physicians and new facilities such as the Bellflower Radiation Oncology Center makes it possible to fundamentally improve the lives of our cancer patients.”
Find more information about cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
