Keck Medicine of USC has opened its third Orange County location in Newport Beach for diagnosing and treating a wide range of cancers and blood disorders.
The 33,000-square-foot site, called the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is at 330 Old Newport Blvd., across the street from Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian’s Newport Beach campus. The new center replaces Keck’s former location on Superior Avenue.
The new clinic doubles the former clinic’s number of exam rooms to 24 and has 40% more infusion bays, which will enable its staff to see more patients daily, according to oncologist and Professor of Clinical Medicine at USC Dr. Louis VanderMolen.
In addition to natural light and nautical artwork, the Newport Beach location will offer private bays for patients’ cold caps to prevent hair loss by chemotherapy, as well as on-site genetic counseling, telehealth appointments with a dietician, and art therapy.
Its on-site labs came online in March, while its U.S. Pharmacopeia-compliant pharmacy is set to open in May. The hospital also plans to expand its clinical trials program there.
The hospital has committed over $40 million to the undertaking, including $20 million for its construction and $23 million for its multi-year lease.
Keck’s newest location is one of several efforts in Orange County to expand services for those in need of cancer treatment.
City of Hope Orange County will soon open its 190,000-square-foot cancer campus and University of California, Irvine is building its 225,000-square-foot Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Cancer patients in Orange County will soon have many options, and it is important to ensure all patients have easy access to the care they need,” VanderMolen told the Business Journal via email.
“We feel strongly that this new location in Newport Beach enables patients to access the latest, evidence-based treatments, clinical trials and a full spectrum of supportive services in a convenient, comforting setting from people they trust.”
Expanding OC Footprint
In addition to Newport Beach, Keck Medicine has a hematology, oncology and infusion center in Huntington Beach, as well as a hematology, oncology and radiology center in Buena Park.
“We are proud to offer patients the most effective and advanced cancer therapies available,” Keck Medicine CEO Rod Hanners said in a statement. “This new location triples our footprint in Orange County and underscores our commitment to provide world-class oncology care.”
According to VanderMolen, Keck’s many locations throughout the county “prioritize patient access and convenience.”
The Buena Park location, for example, employs Korean-speaking staff and physicians, so Korean-speaking cancer patients in the region can feel cared for and understood, he said.
The hospital system currently employs 110 people throughout Orange County, including about 60 employees in Newport Beach.
“Nearly doubling staff size will support the increase in patients, on-site laboratory and pharmacy, and other patient care services like financial counseling and nutrition services,” VanderMolen said, adding that the hospital plans to add another full-time position and three faculty physicians.
Expansion Plans
According to VanderMolen, the Keck Medicine system has even more expansion plans underway elsewhere in Southern California.
In partnership with Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, Keck Medicine is working with the Office of the Attorney General of California to add an additional hospital in the San Gabriel Valley.
Officials also announced a collaboration with Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in the Santa Clarita area.
