Ridley-Tree Cancer Center
A New Era in Cancer Treatment
Important Provider & Location Information
The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center officially opened on September 18, 2017, a dream launched by the trustees of the Cancer Center almost 20 years ago and built with extraordinary support from our community. Watch the Community Open House Tour Video here. This stunning facility is home to cutting-edge technology including two Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators (the same found at MD Anderson and Johns Hopkins), a diagnostic laboratory, and superb clinical research, genetic counseling, and supportive care and wellness programs. The adjacent Healing Garden and Wolf Education & Training Center opened in May 2018, completing the flagship Ridley-Tree Cancer Center campus in Santa Barbara. Ridley-Tree Cancer Center extends its reach with offices in Lompoc and Solvang, providing patients in mid-Santa Barbara County with access to the myriad of services offered close to home.
Thanks to an extraordinary outpouring of support by community leaders, foundations, businesses, donors and patients, the Campaign for Our New Cancer Center raised more than $48 million toward the $53 million cost of the project. We are grateful to our trustees, steering committee, volunteers, physicians, staff, patients and our many generous donors for turning a decades-long dream into reality. Sansum Clinic and the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara (our fundraising partner dedicated to supporting our oncology programs and services) would like to offer special thanks to the Campaign Cabinet - Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, Ed and Sue Birch, Dan Gainey, Peter MacDougall and Maryan Schall for their passionate leadership and support.
Sansum Clinic and the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara worked seamlessly to develop the project. Designed to blend in with the craftsman-style bungalows that surround the Oak Park neighborhood, the three-story, 54,780 square-foot medical center brings all members of our Santa Barbara oncology team to a single, convenient location where patients access all aspects of multi-disciplinary care including medical oncology and hematology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, clinical research, genetic counseling, patient navigation, oncology nutrition, oncology social work services, resource library, wellness and community outreach.
The Ridley-Tree Name
There’s a reason behind why our oncology operations are now called the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, and that is Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree. Lady Ridley-Tree is a tireless supporter of many causes important to our community. She has put her resources to work to make Santa Barbara a community where every life can be enriched and lived well. It is common for cancer centers to bear the name of the person or family who made the most significant gift to the institution at the time. We are proud that our name is synonymous with Lady Ridley-Tree’s. Despite the name being different, the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center is still part of Sansum Clinic; similar to how the Jules Stein Eye Institute is part of Ophthalmology at UCLA.
Our Logo
It’s a tree. It’s a shoot. It symbolizes the start of something strong and beautiful. A new life. A healthy emergence. Delivered with the warmth and caring of our Ridley-Tree Cancer Center family.
What Some Community Leaders Have to Say about the Cancer Center
“Offering world-class care in our own community is so important. There is a comfort in that which helps the healing process,” Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, Honorary Campaign Chair.
“How wonderful it is for patients in our community to have the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. Everything a patient needs to get through cancer is offered here. It’s just all right here, and is now offered in one modern facility,” said Anne Towbes, Cancer Center supporter since 2002.
“If you look at other communities the size of Santa Barbara, you won’t find a Cancer Center similar to ours. The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center is a true treasure and I am proud to support it,” said Vicki Hazard, Campaign Steering Committee, Chair; Sansum Clinic Trustee; and Cancer Foundation Trustee.
“The new Cancer Center ensures a world-class experience for people who are going through one of the most challenging issues of their lives. We have the most advanced technology available, right here in Santa Barbara, close to home – and that is life saving,” said Janet Garufis, Chair, Sansum Clinic Board of Trustees.
More About the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center Campus
Here are some highlights of what is new:
Concierge and Volunteer Greeters - welcoming patients, caregivers and members of the community with kindness and compassion. More than 45 volunteers work in many capacities, including: patient greeter/escorts, oncology massage, art class, healing touch and an array of other duties.
Two state-of-the-art radiation treatment machines – Elekta Versa High Definition™ Linear Accelerators - enabling highly sophisticated treatment while reducing treatment times. These machines can be found at world-class cancer centers including MD Anderson, UCSF and Johns Hopkins.
Expanded capacity - to handle the continued increase in patient volume that the Cancer Center has experienced since 2012 as baby boomers reach age 67, the average age of our cancer patients.
Medical oncology infusion suites - offering patients the choice of receiving treatment in private, semi-private or more social areas. Floor-to-ceiling windows are available for many of the bays with panoramic views of the Mesa and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Infusion suite volunteers ensure all patients are comfortable by visiting with patients, offering refreshments and other amenities.
Surgical Oncology department - based at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center for outpatient care, with two new procedure rooms, and at Cottage Health for inpatient care. Our trained surgeons specialize in various types of breast cancers and upper GI cancers, including a high-volume pancreatic cancer program.
Research division - partnering with US Oncology Research Network, Translational Research in Oncology (TRIO-US), leading pharmaceutical companies and universities to access clinical trials that deliver the best treatments science has to offer.
Patient support and integrative services - including patient navigation, genetic counseling, oncology nutrition, oncology social work services, music therapy, wellness and community outreach.
Resource library - offering a welcoming place where patients and families can find current, comprehensive information about all aspects of cancer.
Rooftop patio - this outdoor space provides a comfortable area for patients and family members to relax in between appointments.
Three-story parking garage - featuring 180 spaces for patient convenience. Valet parking is offered free of charge.
Healing Garden - our half-acre Healing Garden provides a serene area surrounded by shaded walking paths and benches for patients, families, caregivers and staff.
The Wolf Education and Training Center - an 80-seat, theater-style center for continuing education of physicians, nurses and the community.