For Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, expanding access to patients is both a priority and a plan in motion. With groundbreaking new facilities, forward-thinking partnerships and innovative care models, world-class cancer treatment is reaching more people than ever across the city and county of San Diego and further into the Imperial and Riverside counties.
"Expanding access to cancer care and research is core to who we are," says Ayad Hamdan, MD, physician-in-chief at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. "We are building a system that allows patients to benefit from the expertise of an academic medical center in the communities where they live."
A New Era at Hillcrest
The most visible symbol of this expansion is the new McGrath Outpatient Pavilion on the Hillcrest medical campus at UC San Diego Health. The 250,000-square-foot pavilion brings together oncology multidisciplinary clinics, infusion and imaging services, pharmacy services, a breast health center and suites for surgery and advanced radiation therapy — all under one roof in the heart of San Diego. It also serves as a key access point for oncology clinical trials, enabling patients to receive leading-edge therapy as part of their care.
The McGrath Outpatient Pavilion is a major milestone in UC San Diego Health's multi-year Hillcrest Redevelopment Project — a vision to reimagine health care for central San Diego. Every element, from natural light in treatment spaces to the co-location of research and clinical teams, was designed to enhance the patient experience and foster collaboration.
"Patients can see their oncology team, receive an infusion, access imaging and have access to clinical trials in the same building," notes Hamdan. "That kind of integration means more coordinated, convenient and personalized care."
UC San Diego Health teams celebrate the ribbon cutting of infusion services at McGrath Outpatient Pavilion. Images highlight compassionate care at the Barbara Parker, MD, Breast Center. Photo credit: Leslie Aquinde and Alex Matthews, UC San Diego Health
More Access to Innovative Treatments
Clinical innovation is also advancing at the Hillcrest medical campus, with McGrath Outpatient Pavilion now offering advanced brachytherapy, a specialized treatment that delivers targeted doses of internal radiation directly to tumors. Under the leadership of Chika Nwachukwu, MD, PhD, medical director of radiation oncology at UC San Diego Health, this program offers advanced treatment options for gynecologic, skin, head and neck, breast and prostate, among other cancers — bringing research-driven expertise closer to home.
"Brachytherapy allows us to treat certain cancers with extraordinary precision while sparing healthy tissue," says Nwachukwu. "As the regional referral center for San Diego, we handle the most complex brachytherapy cases. Without this technology at Hillcrest, many patients would need to travel long distances for this specialized care. We ensure expert treatment close to home."
Hillcrest will also be the site of UC San Diego Health's second same-day cancer care clinic, joining a successful pilot location in La Jolla, dedicated to oncology patients experiencing symptoms such as nausea, fever or pain during their treatment. These valued clinics help patients avoid the emergency department and receive expert care from oncology-trained clinicians who work directly with the patient's own cancer team — ensuring timely, coordinated support.
“Patients can see their oncology team, receive an infusion, access imaging and have access to clinical trials in the same building. That kind of integration means more coordinated, convenient and personalized care.”
— Ayad Hamdan, MD, physician-in-chief, Moores Cancer Center
Regional Partnerships to Strengthen Care
UC San Diego Health is extending its reach beyond San Diego's urban core through a growing network of regional partnerships that bring research-driven cancer care to more communities.
In North San Diego County, UC San Diego Health has created a joint powers authority with Palomar Health to expand access to community oncology specialists, faculty appointed oncologists, infusion services, radiation oncology and clinical trial participation. This partnership is part of UC San Diego Health's broader commitment to build an integrated regional cancer network, guided by the leadership of Patty Maysent, CEO of UC San Diego Health.
"UC San Diego Health is a vital public asset that serves the regional community," says Maysent. "We are committed to improving health outcomes throughout our community, expanding care locations, enhancing patient safety and experience and advancing medicine. Our balanced growth strategy will improve access to world-class care for everyone who needs it."
To the east, Moores Cancer Center's affiliation with Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center continues to bring advanced oncology care to the Coachella Valley. Since 2017, patients in California's desert cities have benefited from access to clinical trials, tumor boards, stem cell transplant and cellular therapy, and specialty cancer clinics focused on complex diseases such as esophageal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers.
In Imperial County, Moores Cancer Center is working closely with the newly established Imperial Valley Healthcare District to provide coordinated access to medical and surgical oncology, as well as access to clinical trials. This collaboration ensures that patients in the Imperial Valley can receive advanced therapies and participate in innovative research without the burden of long travel.
Together, these partnerships create a region-wide network of excellence — one that shares the resources of UC San Diego Health while strengthening local capacity and making care more convenient than ever before.
Clinical Trials for Every Community
Every breakthrough in treatment begins with a clinical trial, and Moores Cancer Center is ensuring these opportunities can reach more people than ever. Access to clinical research is now being integrated into care at new and existing locations, from McGrath Outpatient Pavilion to Palomar Health.
"Clinical trials have always been at the heart of our mission," says Matthew Jenusaitis, chief administrative officer, oncology and radiation therapy services at UC San Diego Health. "Now we're bringing this research into community settings so patients can participate in innovative therapies from their local facilities."
This approach not only accelerates discovery, but also brings a broad spectrum of patients into the research process — an essential step toward improving outcomes across populations.
Excellence Without Boundaries
At the core of the Moores Cancer Center expansion is a belief that access to advanced therapies, clinical trials and compassionate care should never depend on geography. As Moore Cancer Center builds for the future, it remains dedicated to advancing cancer science, improving access and delivering world-class, patient-centered care across the region.
World-Class Cancer Care Close to Home
Oncologists at UC San Diego Health not only provide personalized care with better outcomes, they set treatment standards nationwide for more than 200 types of cancer — including, most importantly, yours.
Cancer Care Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Infusion Therapy Imaging & Radiology
Cancer Care Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Infusion Therapy Imaging & Radiology
