Central Coast Individuals Recognized as Regional Oncology Leaders

Dignity Health Central Coast Hospitals are pleased to announce that three regional oncology experts have been recognized as 2015 Champions in Health Care for their influence in this specialized field.

The recipients were selected from a group of local nominees related to the treatment, research and innovative approaches to the prevention and healing of cancer.

Dr. Robert Dichmann, Medical Oncologist and Medical Director, Mission Hope Cancer Center, was recognized as a Champion in Diagnosis­ for establishing the region’s first integrated oncology center in Santa Maria offering all facets of cancer care and support under one roof. Mission Hope Cancer Center serves as a comprehensive oncology facility offering Central Coast residents services previously unavailable.  The advanced facility is affiliated with the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and offers clinical trials and technology on par with major universities and teaching centers. 

Katherine Guthrie, Regional Director of Cancer Services, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center, and Marian Regional Medical Center’s Cancer Care Program at Mission Hope Cancer Center, was commended as a Champion Administrator for her tireless work for the support, education, and care of cancer patients.  She has created and implemented preventative programs to screen for colon, lung, skin, and prostate cancer in its earliest stages, earning Marian Cancer Care designations as lung and breast screening centers of excellence. 

Honored for her work and recognized as Case Management Champion, Dr. Siobain Horan, Cardiothoracic Surgeon for St. John’s Regional Medical Center, is responsible for pioneering a multidisciplinary approach to early screening of lung cancer.  After her realization that many patients were being treated for advanced-stage lung cancer, Dr. Horan developed the first lung cancer screening program in Ventura County, which detects lung cancer in its earliest stages using low-dose CT scans and saving lives along the way. 

Approximately 40 percent of all individuals will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. That is a startling statistic, and one that the specialized team of physicians and health care professionals of Dignity Health Central Coast Oncology Services are constantly working to change. Our advanced comprehensive cancer program offers an integrated approach to care that focuses on every individual diagnosis.  We are pleased to have been recognized for our commitment to providing the latest in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical trials, all without the burden of having to travel for care.  

About Dignity Health Central Coast

Dignity Health of the Central Coast is an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service.  Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.