Translating Innovative Science into Compassionate, Patient-Centric Care
Saint John’s Cancer Institute is renowned for advancing therapeutics, translational science, and establishing standards of care. We foster robust fellowship programs, implement and initiate clinical trials, and collaborate with academic and industry partners worldwide.
Read MoreInnovation Starts Here
Saint John’s Cancer Institute (SJCI) is a pioneer in drug discovery, therapeutics, clinical trials, and research. SJCI established the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy under the late Dr. Donald L. Morton, which has become the standard of lymph node care for melanoma and breast cancer worldwide.
Today, our patients continue to have access to innovative treatments, therapeutics, and trials. We are at the forefront of understanding the biology of cancer as well as expanding treatment for under-served communities.
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Thyroid Cancer Awareness
Listen to Thyroid & Endocrine Experts Melanie Goldfarb, MD, Rose Lin, MD, and Sarah Rettinger, MD, as they reveal common practices and the more nuanced scenarios when it comes to thyroid cancer and hypothyroidism.
“If you have bad Hashimoto’s disease, it’s better to take out the thyroid and let the replacement hormone therapy do its job better than a “not so functioning” thyroid gland.”
– Melanie Goldfarb, MD, Director, Center for Endocrine Tumors and Disorders
Listen to the experts answer the questions they are getting from patients.
Blog, Video (13:08): Your Journey With Thyroid Cancer; A Thyroid Surgeon and An Endocrinologist Expound
Jackie Chooses Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer
Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, Director of the Center for Endocrine Tumors and Disorders at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, provided the personalized care Jackie was looking for.
“It’s the scariest thing you can hear… the C-word.”
– jackie Arechar
Learn more about Jackie’s story and how she knew she was in the right place to treat her thyroid cancer.
Blog, Video (12:58): A Mother of Two Diagnosed at 28 With Thyroid Cancer
Webinar: Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Join Drs. Timothy Wilson, Jennifer Linehan, Mehran Movassaghi, and James Porter for this highly informative live webinar on October 3rd, 2023 at 6:00 PM hosted by Providence Health.
“At Providence, Saint John’s, we are continuously innovating with new technologies that expand treatment options and improve quality of life for men. Please join us Tuesday October 3rd for a live webinar on Focal Therapy.”
– Timothy Wilson, MD, Director of Urology and Urologic Oncology Research Program
Register for this event hosted by Providence and Focal One.
Events: Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Your Healthy Dose Podcast: What You Should Know About Prostate Cancer
Saint John’s Urologists, Dr. Movassaghi and Dr. Wilson Address the Concerns of Men
“If someone has an elevated PSA, 10 years ago the recommendation was go get a biopsy, which is invasive…Now the recommendation is more [tests].”
– Mehran Movassaghi, MD
“If [cancer] is diagnosed, we have so many more options.”
– Timothy Wilson, MD
Listen to Doctor’s Mehran Movassaghi, Director of Pacific Men’s Health, and Timothy Wilson, Chair of Urology and Urologic Oncology, and Director of Urology and Urologic Oncology Research Program hosted by Saint John’s Health Center Foundation’s, Your Healthy Dose.
News & Podcast Video (28:06): Your Healthy Dose Podcast: Urologists Dr. Movassaghi and Dr. Wilson lend their expertise on Prostate Cancer
Aquablation for Enlarged Prostate is Making a Difference for Men
Dr. Mehran Movassaghi, Director of Men’s Health at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, explains how this minimally invasive procedure works to alleviate male incontinence.
“With Aquablation, we no longer need to compromise for either the longevity of the procedure or the fact that patients will have negative sexual outcomes after surgery…”
– Mehran Movassaghi, MD
Learn more about Aquablation Therapy and the AQUABEAM® ROBOTIC SYSTEM by Procept BioRobotics.
Treatment, Video (03:10): Aquablation: Robotic Therapy for BPH (Enlarged Prostate)
Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) Testing
Providence is offering Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) testing to empower providers and the public with a blood test that can detect a shared cancer signal across 50+ types of cancer through a simple blood draw.
“Providence is committed to collaborations that provide individuals with the best evidence-based care including advancements like early cancer screenings that can improve patient outcomes.”
– Ora K. Gordon, MD, Regional Medical Director of Providence’s Clinical Genetics & Genomics Program
Providers are encouraged to request a test kit for eligible patients. See list of detectable cancers.
News: Providence Offers Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) Testing
Living with Melanoma
The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program cordially invites you to a FREE public conference designed for patients and their families. Listen to experts on melanoma and get answers to your questions.
“This will be a great opportunity for patients and their families to listen to an outstanding panel of doctors, including experts from UCLA, Moffitt Cancer Center, Sutter Health, City of Hope, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
– Richard Essner, MD
Learn more and register for this event held October 23rd, 2023. You can attend in-person or livestream it on YouTube!
The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program cordially invites you to a FREE public conference designed for patients and their families. Listen to experts on melanoma and get answers to your questions.
“This will be a great opportunity for patients and their families to listen to an outstanding panel of doctors, including experts from UCLA, Moffitt Cancer Center, Sutter Health, City of Hope, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
– Richard Essner, MD
Learn more and register for this event held October 23rd, 2023. You can attend in-person or livestream it on YouTube!
Event: Living with Melanoma: Melanoma Conference, Fall 2023
The UV Avengers of Saint John’s to Walk LA Miles for Melanoma 5K on October 7th, 2023
The Melanoma Research Foundation Promotes Awareness for Melanoma with their Fundraising Walk at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
“Join the fight, light the path: Melanoma Awareness Fundraising Walk – Together we can make a difference.
– UV Avengers of Saint John’s
Learn more and register for this event managed by the Melanoma Research Foundation.
The Melanoma Research Foundation Promotes Awareness for Melanoma with their Fundraising Walk at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
“Join the fight, light the path: Melanoma Awareness Fundraising Walk – Together we can make a difference.
– UV Avengers of Saint John’s
Learn more and register for this event managed by the Melanoma Research Foundation.
Event: The UV Avengers of Saint John’s Walk October 7th for the LA Miles For Melanoma 5k
Why Are Clinical Trials Important?
Doctors, Kim Margolin, Przemyslaw Twardowski, Leland Foshag, Parvin Peddi, Santosh Kesari, and Emma Chacon, RN, Discuss the Impact of Clinical Trials and Advancement of Medical Science.
“This is how we’ve made stride after stride against all cancers, and how we’ve made a lot of cancers from being completely incurable to now curable.”
– Parvin Peddi, MD
Learn more and listen to some of the principal investigators at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Doctors, Kim Margolin, Przemyslaw Twardowski, Leland Foshag, Parvin Peddi, Santosh Kesari, and Emma Chacon, RN, Discuss the Impact of Clinical Trials and Advancement of Medical Science.
“This is how we’ve made stride after stride against all cancers, and how we’ve made a lot of cancers from being completely incurable to now curable.”
– Parvin Peddi, MD
Learn more and listen to some of the principal investigators at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Blog, Video (16:45): International Clinical Trials Day: Hear from the experts in cutting-edge research
FREE BREAST WORKSHOP: Register Today!
Cancer Support Community South Bay and Parvin Peddi, MD provide recent advances in breast cancer and a Q&A session focusing on chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and screening.
“I invite you to submit your questions in advance for this event. We will be discussing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.”
– Parvin Peddi, MD
Learn more and submit your questions by Wednesday, October 11th, 2023. Submitted questions will be answered first.
Events: Join Parvin Peddi, M.D. as she provides a brief update on the most recent advances in breast cancer along with a Q&A session.
Open or Actively Recruiting Clinical Trials
Brain Cancer and Solid Tumors Clinical Trials
Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Akanksha Sharma: Learn more.
Breast Cancer: Precision Medicine
Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Parvin Peddi: Learn more.
Melanoma Cancer: Drug Trials:
Principal Investgator: Dr. Kim Margolin: Learn more.
Prostate Cancer: White Button Mushroom
Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Przemyslaw Twardowski: Learn more.
Current Trials
Search using key terms or filter by Centers of Excellence or by Lead Doctor. Learn more.
Peer-reviewed Research Studies at Saint John’s Cancer Institute
A Culmination of Expertise in the Fields of Oncology: 2022 Academic Year
“…Our oncology clinicians and scientists strive unwaveringly to contribute knowledge focused on improving the standard of care for our cancer patients today, and collaborations with other institutes for innovative translational and clinical medicine. Cure of cancer is the hallmark of this institution.”
– Dr. Neil Martin, Medical Director, Saint John’s Cancer Institute, and Neurosurgeon.
Learn more and download the Saint John’s Cancer Institute Research Spotlight, 2022.
Blog, PDF: Peer-Reviewed Research Studies at Saint John’s Cancer Institute
Care Excellence with a 5-star Rating
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Providence Saint John’s Health Center has earned a 5-star rating for providing quality and safe care to our community.
“This change highlighted the importance of a plan’s ability to provide members with continuous positive experiences, in addition to offering quality patient care that meets or exceeds industry standards.”
– ProvidenceHealthPlan.com
Learn more about the significance of the CMS, 5-star rating.
News: Providence Saint John’s Health Center Earns CMS 5-star Quality and Safety Rating
Saint John’s: A Legacy of Care Excellence
30 Major Healthcare Awards for 2022 and 2023
“All of these achievements reflect the outstanding care our caregivers and physicians provide to our patients each and every day, …providing leading-edge, award-winning care in a compassionate, community hospital setting. I am honored to share that this commitment to excellence has continued in our 80th year.”
– Michael Ricks, CEO, Saint John’s Health Cancer and Institute
Healthgrades awards include the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award (top 10% in the nation), Five-Star Ratings for Total Knee Replacement, Total Hip Replacement, as well as Treatment of Stroke, COPD, Pneumonia, Bowel Obstruction, and Sepsis. Several surgical awards for cancer were recognized by U.S. NEWS & World Report.
About Us, Awards: Saint John’s Health Center Awards
A New Treatment That Was Worth the Wait
Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Shrinks 5.5 cm Tumor Over 90 Percent After Treatment.
“[Dr. Goldfarb] Your optimism and enthusiasm made me feel comfortable at a time of significant stress for me, and what can I say, your work is pretty good, and I’m living proof.”
– Scott Millward
Learn more about Scott’s decision to wait for a particular treatment and his unexpected outcome.
Blog, Video (9:30): Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Shrinks Benign Nodule Over 90 Percent After Treatment
A Legacy of Research Excellence
Donald L. Morton, Surgical Oncologist best known for developing sentinel lymph node evaluation
“He was ahead of his peers in anticipating the genetics era of cancer research, for decades he carefully maintained archival specimen resource for correlative translational studies.”
– Laura Morton Rowe, Chief Human Resources Officer, Saint John’s Health Center
Learn more about the Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship.
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