Adventist Health Lodi Memorial: Conquering Cancer in the Central Valley

Adventist Health Lodi Memorial is making a name for itself in the Central Valley, especially when it comes to cancer diagnostics, cancer treatment and general patient care. Since its opening in 1952, Lodi Memorial Hospital has been known for its community dedication and its compassionate care and that legacy has continued since the merger with Adventist Health, some seven years ago.

Most cancer patients in the Central Valley will tell you options for quality care often involve long-distance travel to Sacramento or the Bay area. Finding state-of-the-art treatment and personal care comes at a cost; cancer creates a personal cost of time, stress and real expense. Fortunately, with the innovations that Adventist Health Lodi Memorial has brought to the Central Valley at the new AHLM Cancer Center, patients can remain local for their treatment regimens that sometimes involve over 40 radiation treatments in a row. 

Foresight and Planning
Wayne Craig, president and CEO of Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation, recalls the demand and rising concerns. “In 2019, AHLM and the foundation began a three-year journey to battle an increasing incidence of cancer in the San Joaquin Valley,” he said. “The hospital started by developing a state-of-the-art diagnostic system to find cancers as early as possible.” As a result, Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted a capital campaign, Catch It Early, to fund the latest diagnostic technology and expand the Advanced Imaging Center. Since then the foundation has invested more than three million dollars in equipment and services and the hospital has spent over 11 million dollars to build the cancer program. This investment has put them ahead of some of the more recognizable cancer patient care facilities in Sacramento and the Bay area. 

Dr. Travers McLoughlin, head radiation oncologist, knows firsthand that travel out of town for treatment can be a hardship for patients, as his daughter, who is a leukemia survivor, had many appointments in Sacramento. He believes that the Adventist Health cancer center will make it easier for patients to get what they need locally. “We are blessed to have some of the best state-of-the-art treatments. Patients don’t have to leave,” Dr. McLoughlin affirmed.  

Don’t Skip Screenings
While early detection is the key, not everyone has been fortunate. Dr. McLoughlin, saw many cases of late-stage cancer come in as a result of the COVID lockdown. “Unfortunately, there were other diseases that didn’t stop existing; we are finding more advanced disease because of COVID.” He advised that it’s important to stay on top of screenings and regular checkups. “Do your screening test, do your mammograms, lung screening. The earlier we can detect, the better the chance the patient has of a good outcome.” 

To expand screenings as well as address a variety of cancers in the area, the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation launched another campaign, Conquering Cancer in Lodi, in 2021, to finish the AHLM Cancer Center and install the latest linear accelerator for radiation treatment. They also added a PET-CT scanner that helps to detect cancer, improve diagnoses and staging and provide treatment planning, features that set it apart from other diagnostic and treatment centers in the region. An important component of this program was the acquisition of an Invenia™ ABUS ultrasound machine designed for dense breast analysis. Over 40 percent of women have dense breasts and 70 percent of breast cancers occur in dense breasts.  

The AHLM Cancer Center treats a significant number of cancers such as prostate, lung, head and neck, and the new equipment has been effective at early diagnoses. Since the Cancer Center’s opening, AHLM has completed over 1,600 cancer surgeries, over 17,000 mammograms and more than 7,000 radiation oncology visits. 

Personal Attention
In addition to the latest equipment and excellent protocol management by Dr. McLoughlin, Stephanie Breckinridge-Duncan, patient care coordinator, follows each patient from day one through ringing the bell upon completion of their radiation treatments. If patients need transportation to appointments, she will arrange it so patients don’t fall behind in their treatment.  

Newly appointed president of Adventist Health Lodi Memorial, Brooke McCullough, sees that these support structures are making a difference in the lives of AHLM patients. “We want our patients to know that they are not alone.” McCullough recognizes that the experience can often feel lonely and overwhelming. “Patients never end their relationship with us, even after treatment,” she commented.

As Adventist Health Lodi Memorial grows and continues to expand its hospital with first-rate treatments, one thing remains the same: the commitment to community. “I think what distinguishes us from other hospitals is that we are a multi-generational community hospital in a multi-generational community,” said Craig. 

If you should find yourself or family dealing with cancer, know that Adventist Health Lodi Memorial will be that local quality care to support each step of the way.

For more information, visit Lodi Adventist Health Cancer Care Center, adventisthealth.org or request a visit at their 2407 W. Vine Street office.