Ribbon Cutting Marks New Era of Specialty and Cancer Care

Adventist Health reached a major milestone in its commitment to improving healthcare access in Kern County with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Advanced Care Pavilion. Following the ribbon cutting, community members received tours of the pavilion, which is a new destination for specialty and cancer care that’s designed to serve more patients, strengthen care coordination, and bring advanced services closer to home.

Located adjacent to the AIS Cancer Center at Adventist Health in Bakersfield, the pavilion adds significant capacity and creates a more seamless experience for patients navigating complex health conditions. The facility brings together specialty physicians, cancer services, diagnostics, and support resources under one roof, helping patients and families receive the care they need in a more connected and convenient setting.

Investing in the future of healthcare

The pavilion is a 60,000 square-foot facility with two floors dedicated to specialty and cancer care for those living in Kern County and the broader Central Valley.

"This $30 million project demonstrates a long-term commitment to the future of healthcare in our community," said Jason Wells, president of Adventist Health Central California Network. "Most importantly, it means that more people will be able to receive exceptional care close to their family, support systems, and homes."

The new facility is expected to support approximately 45,000 patient visits annually, expanding access to specialized services while helping meet the region's growing healthcare needs.

Designed to care for more patients

Created with patients and families in mind, the pavilion significantly increases capacity for both specialty and cancer care services.

The second floor is home to specialties including general surgery, urology, orthopedics and spine care, cardiothoracic services, and advanced imaging. Additional specialties are planned as the facility continues to grow.

On the third floor, which will open in phases, patients will have access to medical oncology services, an expanded infusion center, and a Breast Care Center space designed to accommodate more patients.

For breast surgeon Francesca Hoehne, MD, the expansion represents an important investment in the women and families who rely on these services.

"Our community is growing, so it's wonderful to be able to grow the Breast Care Center," Dr. Hoehne said. "The pavilion allows us to expand from just three exam rooms to 14. This dramatically increases our capacity to care for more patients."

Since opening in 2016, the Breast Care Center has become a trusted resource for breast health and breast cancer care in Kern County. The expanded space will allow care teams to continue meeting the needs of a growing community while enhancing the patient experience.

Bringing coordinated care under one roof

A cornerstone of the pavilion is its ability to bring providers and services together in one location, making it easier for patients to navigate treatment and receive comprehensive care.

The facility was intentionally designed to strengthen collaboration among physicians and care teams, helping patients move more seamlessly between appointments, diagnostics, treatments, and follow-up care.

"Modern healthcare is no longer delivered by a single physician working alone," said Shamsuddin Khwaja, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon at Adventist Health. "The best outcomes happen when specialists work together as one coordinated team."

For patients facing complex diagnoses, coordinated care can make a meaningful difference.

"When a patient is facing a complex diagnosis, whether it's heart disease or another serious illness, they often need expertise from multiple disciplines," Dr. Khwaja said. "Bringing experts together allows us to make decisions more quickly, communicate more effectively, and create a more seamless experience for patients and their families."

By reducing the need for patients to travel between multiple sites, the pavilion helps lessen the burden on families while improving convenience and access to care.

Expanding cancer care close to home

The pavilion will also strengthen cancer care services throughout the region.

The third floor will feature 11 new infusion bays, creating capacity for approximately 5,000 additional treatments each year. The facility will also include the region's first Rapid Care Oncology Clinic, offering same-day appointments for patients experiencing treatment-related side effects and helping avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room.

A stronger future for Kern County

The pavilion reflects a commitment to ensuring that our community has access to expert physicians and leading-edge technology.

As the pavilion begins welcoming patients, it is poised to expand access, improve coordination, and help ensure that more people can receive advanced specialty and cancer care without leaving their community.