Adventist Health unveils $30 million Advanced Care Pavilion in Bakersfield. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Oct. 8 at Adventist Health's new Advanced Care Pavilion, which will provide specialty and cancer care in Bakersfield, Calif. Photo Credit: Adventist Health. * The new 60,000-square-foot Advanced Care Pavilion brings specialty consultations, diagnostic imaging and cancer services together, with approximately 45,000 patient visits anticipated annually. * A phased third-floor opening will expand the Breast Care Center from three to 14 exam rooms and add 11 infusion bays, providing capacity for approximately 5,000 more treatments each year. * A planned Rapid Care Oncology Clinic will offer same-day appointments for treatment-related complications, including infection, dehydration and anemia, helping patients receive timely care and reducing avoidable emergency department visits. Adventist Health held an Oct. 8 ribbon-cutting for its $30 million Advanced Care Pavilion in Bakersfield, Calif. The facility spans 60,000 square feet and is expected to accommodate about 45,000 patient visits annually. Located beside the AIS Cancer Center, the pavilion combines specialty consultations, diagnostics and cancer treatment. Adventist Health said in its ribbon-cutting announcement that concentrating services in one location is intended to reduce travel between appointments and help patients navigate care that requires several specialists. "This $30 million project demonstrates a long-term commitment to the future of healthcare in our community," Jason Wells, President of Adventist Health Central California Network, said in the announcement. "Most importantly, it means that more people will be able to receive exceptional care close to their family, support systems, and homes." The second floor houses general surgery, urology, orthopedics, spine care, cardiothoracic services and advanced imaging. The third floor will open in phases for medical oncology, infusion treatment and breast care. Additional specialties are planned for the facility. The Breast Care Center initially opened in 2016, and breast surgeon Dr. Francesca Hoehne described the impact of increasing the center's exam rooms from three to 14. "Our community is growing, so it's wonderful to be able to grow the Breast Care Center," said Hoehne. "This dramatically increases our capacity to care for more patients." Eleven new infusion bays will provide capacity for approximately 5,000 additional treatments annually. The planned Rapid Care Oncology Clinic will offer same-day appointments for patients experiencing treatment-related side effects. Adventist Health described it as the region's first such clinic, intended to reduce avoidable emergency department visits. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Shamsuddin Khwaja emphasized collaboration that the facility will help strengthen. "The best outcomes happen when specialists work together as one coordinated team," said Khwaja. That approach extends beyond placing different services in the same building. Adventist Health's project update from August described a coordinated sequence of imaging, consultations and treatment planning, with the goal of reducing delays as patients move from diagnosis to treatment. The provider also outlined plans for precision medicine, genetic testing and clinical research opportunities, describing the pavilion as an investment in recruiting and retaining specialists, with the aim of making services available locally that patients previously sought outside the region. In that same update, Adventist Health also announced a Bank of America grant, highlighting philanthropy's role in expanding local access to specialty services. Stay ahead of the industry. Get HCO News delivered free.

Adventist Health lays off 125 employees across California - spectrum magazine. The Roseville-based, faith-based healthcare system said the... Image: Adventist Health's headquarters in Roseville, California. Photo...