City of Hope Orange County physicians and staff welcomed the first patient to Orange County’s only cancer specialty hospital on Dec. 1 in an emotional milestone that marked the fulfilment of a promise to the people of Orange County.
“This is the first campus in Orange County designed specifically for cancer care, the first to bring together expert oncologists, specialized nurses, researchers and support teams all focused on one mission: beating cancer,” said Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County. “As we open our hospital, we also open the next chapter: one of continued research, collaboration and breakthroughs that will change and save lives.”
Before opening the doors to the 73-bed hospital – the only hospital in Orange County solely focused on cancer – faith leaders representing Orange County’s diverse faith traditions came together to bless the hands of hospital staff. The tradition dates back to the days of Florence Nightingale and acknowledges the sacred and compassionate work that is caregiving.
“In healthcare, the blessing of the hands is a moment to honor the hands that provide healing, comfort, and compassion,” said Michelle Meyer, associate chief nursing officer. “It’s a time to pause, reflect, and prepare for the meaningful work ahead. It’s a tradition that honors not just what we do, but why we do it.”
Bestowing the blessings held special meaning for Father Michael Pontarelli, pastor of St. Juliana Falconieri Church in Fullerton. “It’s a wonderful thing to extend God’s healing into your own,” said Pontarelli, who was successfully treated for prostate cancer at City of Hope Orange County in 2023. “City of Hope saved my life and made my burden lighter,” Pontarelli said.
“Bringing a spiritual element is a beautiful way to mark the hospital opening,” said Rabbi Marcia Tilchin of the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County. “I’ve known so many people whose lives have been saved by City of Hope.”
Soon after, the hospital’s first patient arrived. Frank Di Bella, a longtime patient and supporter of City of Hope, smiled broadly as he was welcomed in by staff and physicians lining the hospital entrance holding pom-poms. For many, it was a full circle moment. Di Bella, who credits City of Hope and his physician Sumanta Kumar Pal, M.D., with saving his life, was an early advocate of bringing City of Hope to Orange County.
The hospital is seamlessly connected to the City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, bringing more specialized expertise, breakthrough acute care, novel clinical trials and groundbreaking technology to City of Hope’s academic research campus in Irvine.
“Today, we can proudly say we have delivered on our promise of six years ago,” said Annette Morgan, chief operating officer. “From the science and technology to the open spaces and healing environment, this campus embodies City of Hope’s commitment to transforming the future of cancer care and delivering hope to patients and their families.”
The hospital’s patient rooms offer a panoramic view of the surrounding hills — and of the word H-O-P-E, the size of a Boeing 747, painted on top of the parking structure to celebrate the first day of patient care. Designed by muralist Amanda Harris, the bright blue letters comprise nearly 2,000 smaller squares, each one representing 100 cancer patients, and in total representing the estimated 199,970 Californians who will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025.
As City of Hope leaders ceremonially painted the mural’s last squares, Harris said she hopes her artwork will help alleviate the stress of the patients who look down upon it from their rooms and brighten their day.
Earlier in the morning, City of Hope Orange County leaders closed a time capsule filled with items memorializing the journey to make the hospital a reality. The capsule is to be opened in 2050.
“We know that many more discoveries will have saved and changed lives when this capsule is opened in the future,” said Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., physician-in-chief, City of Hope Orange County. “Like all of you, we look forward to the day when we cure cancer, giving us the opportunity to use this space for something else.”
Also read:
City of Hope Orange County Evaluation and Treatment Center: Cancer Specialty Care When Patients Need It Most
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City of Hope Orange County’s cancer specialty hospital is built for a single purpose: Saving lives