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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Inspirational Leadership at Saint John’s
Dr. Ora Gordon and Lynda Baxter, MBA, MPH, discuss their shared vision of oncologic care leveraging shared resources.
“We’re going to have the ability to accelerate discovery into care delivery for everybody.”
– Lynda Baxter, MBA, MPH
Learn more about how Saint John’s and Saint Joseph will collaborate to improve access to clinical services and trials among health centers.
Blog, Video (5:12): Inspirational Leadership – A Shared Vision for Cancer at Saint John’s and Saint Joseph
Synchronous Breast & Kidney Cancer Uncovered: A Rare Occurrence
Dr. Crystal Fancher and Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan treated Cristina, having both breast and kidney cancer.
“…And you make it easy to trust you guys, both of you.”
– Cristina Torres
Learn more about how Saint John’s and Saint Joseph collaborated on Cristina’s care.
Blog, Video (15:56): Synchronous Breast & Kidney Cancer Uncovered: A Rare Occurrence
Dr. Ora Gordon Spotlights the Promise of MCED – Multi-Cancer Early Detection
With a single blood test, as many as 50 different types of cancer can be identified before symptoms appear.
“The goal is to detect cancer early when it can be cured.”
– Ora Gordon, MD, FACMGG
Learn more and listen to Dr. Gordon explain how MCED is changing oncologic care.
Blog, Video (3:10): Dr. Ora Gordon Spotlights the Promise of MCED – Multi-Cancer Early Detection
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
An Educational Event on Women’s Health
Oncologists conjoin practice with research, taking questions.
“Women over the age of 50 have a better survival if they save their breast…It’s much like thyroid, sometimes less is more.”
– Janie Grumley, MD
Learn more from our expert panel and watch the hour-long program.
Blog, Video Preview (4:12): An Educational Event on Women’s Health: Oncologists Conjoin Practice with Research
What’s Next in Immunotherapy?
Principal Investigators at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Kim Margolin, MD, and Przemyslaw Twardowski, MD, discuss immunotherapy developments in clinical trials.
“There are times when a patient really wants to try a drug and they heard of it already…The FDA calls it, ‘expanded access,’ or compassionate use protocols for individual patients…, a ‘right to try.’”
– Kim Margolin, MD, FACP, FASCO
Learn more in this in-depth immunotherapy interview with Dr. Kim Margolin.
Blog, Video (23:18): What’s Next In Immunotherapy?
National Cancer Survivors Day at Providence, Saint John’s in Santa Monica
Saint John’s and support groups collaborate to embrace the community for a day of celebration on Sunday, June 9th, 2024.
“This love is what we bring every day. The work that we do is wonderful because we get to watch you rise.”
– Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan
Watch a summary of the event including statements from the Mayor of Santa Monica.
Blog, Video (3:40): National Cancer Survivors Day at Providence, Saint John’s in Santa Monica, California
Mens Health Week: Meet Ramkishen Narayanan, MD
Dr. Timothy Wilson interviews returning mentee, Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan, in his new role.
“What strikes me is your passion for health care. The way you manage your patients and interact with them, and treat them as family. I really see that here, every day.”
– Timothy Wilson, MD
Learn more about Dr. Narayanan and how Saint John’s works with Saint Joseph and the Disney Family Cancer Center.
Blog, Video (20:35): The Future of Urology is Brimming with Talent at Providence, Saint John’s and Saint Joseph’s, just ask expert, Dr. Timothy Wilson.
HIFU Therapy is Making a Difference in Men’s Health
Dr. Mehran Movassaghi, a board-certified and fellowship-trained urologist, reached another significant milestone; 100 successful HIFU treatments using the Focal One Robotic System for early-stage prostate cancer.
“Men in our community now have greater options to treat prostate cancer. This out-patient procedure, which is a one-time session, is making a real difference. There’s no cutting or recovery involved.”
– Mehran Movassaghi, MD
Learn more about the significance of this milestone and how this procedure is reducing surgical complications and related side effects.
News: Dr. Mehran Movassaghi Reached 100 HIFU Treatments for Prostate Cancer Using the Focal One Robotic System.
Tanner Returns to Saint John’s
Having Stage-4 melanoma with brain metastasis, Tanner meets with Doctors, Timothy Kristedja, medical oncologist, and Trevan Fischer, surgical oncologist, four years after his initial treatment.
“There’s no cancer that doesn’t benefit from early detection.”
– Trevan Fischer, MD
Listen to Tanner and his doctors assess how his current treatments are going, including his recent brain scan with Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian, MD.
Blog, Video (14:30): Metastatic Melanoma Thriver Talks Ongoing Treatment with Saint John’s Multidisciplinary Care Team.
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.
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.
“All of the advancements that we’ve made in oncology, all these transformational treatments that we have are really the result of participation of patients in clinical trials.”
– Przemyslaw Twardowski, 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.
“All of the advancements that we’ve made in oncology, all these transformational treatments that we have are really the result of participation of patients in clinical trials.”
– Przemyslaw Twardowski, 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
Research Provides Objective Understanding
2023 Research Publications: Collaboration continues to be the driver of critical findings
“This report shows the collaborative aspects of translational oncology research with cancer centers around the world, demonstrating our continual devotion to improving patient care and finding innovative approaches to curing cancer.”
– Dr. Dave S.B. Hoon, Director of SJCI Translational Research
Learn more and download the Saint John’s Cancer Institute Research Spotlight, 2023.
Blog, PDF: 2023 Research Publications: The Field of Oncology Moves Through Collaboration
Saint John’s: A Legacy of Care Excellence
Major Healthcare Awards for 2023 and 2024
“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.”
– Michael Ricks, CEO, Saint John’s Health Cancer and Institute
Healthgrades – America’s 250 Best Hospitals for Clinical Excellence, including
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery and Joint Replacement, and Five-star ratings in six specialties: Total Knee Replacement, Total Hip replacement, Hip Fracture, Pneumonia, Bowel Obstruction and Sepsis, U.S. News & World Report – Best Hospital for Maternity Care 2024, Top Six Hospitals in Los Angeles County and Orange County, Recognized among the top 15 “Best Hospitals” in California, and Newsweek – World’s Best Hospitals 2024
About Us, Awards: Saint John’s Health Center Awards
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.
