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ABOUT US

Our History

Founded on a promise of superior care close to home, the Cancer Center has grown to become a regional powerhouse providing patients with exceptional, comprehensive cancer care. In 1948, Lillian Converse was treated for terminal cancer, and travel to Los Angeles for her treatments was difficult. Though she knew there was little chance of her own recovery, she wanted to help others with the disease. Her physician, Dr. Henry Ullmann, dreamed of having a one-million-volt x-ray machine—one of seven in the nation—to help treat cancer patients in Santa Barbara. Lillian’s husband, Elisha Converse, made this dream a reality by making a generous gift in memory of his wife, establishing the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara as the leading provider of cancer care on the central coast. The support initiated by Elisha has grown into a community tradition, and his pioneering vision for state-of-the-art cancer care in Santa Barbara has blossomed into a facility with a 75-year history of advancing the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure of cancer for patients in our community regardless of means. While the institution’s name has morphed over the decades the commitment to quality cancer care for all Santa Barbara residents never waned.

​In 2012, the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara and Sansum Clinic forged a strategic partnership, and out of this union emerged the stand-alone Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, the financial backbone of the Cancer Center since its inception.

In 2017, a new comprehensive cancer center was constructed that combined three locations into one. Philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree provided the leading gift for the new facility and the name of the institution was changed to honor her support.

For the past 74 years, thanks to the generosity of patients, foundations and community members, the Cancer Foundation and its trustees have provided steadfast vision, leadership and support to ensure superior cancer care is available in Santa Barbara.

1949

Memorial Research Foundation founded to receive the gift of a one million volt x-ray machine (worth $60K) the seventh in the US

1949

Elisha Converse donates funds to purchase one million volt x-ray machine in memory of his wife Lillian Converse

1949

Memorial Cancer Foundation names Henry J. Ullmann, MD, a nationally known radiologist, as Medical Director

1950

Memorial Cancer Foundation names James T. Case, MD Medical Director

1952

Memorial Research Foundation changes name to Memorial Cancer Foundation

1956

Memorial Cancer Foundation establishes Nuclear Medicine Department

1960

Memorial Cancer Foundation names Jesshill Love, MD as Medical Director

1963

Evans S. Pillsbury elected to the Board of Trustees

1964

Memorial Cancer Foundation raises almost $1M to build new location at 300 W. Pueblo Street at Cottage Hospital

1965

  • Memorial Cancer Foundation hires Arthur Bassett as first business manager. In 1969, his title changes to Administrator
  • ​Board approves purchase of Varian Linac machine for $148K. It will take 18 months from the order date until the equipment is installed and operational

1965

  • Memorial Cancer Foundation changes its name to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara
  • ​Construction is completed at 300 W. Pueblo Street and Cancer Foundation Board of Trustees authorizes lease for 50 years + three 10 year renewals

1968

  • Cancer Foundation opens Schools of Technology in Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine
  • ​Cancer Foundation participates in its first clinical research study regarding the relationship of breast cancer and bone cancer

1970

  • Nuclear Medicine services commence at Goleta Valley Hospital

  • Dr. Charles Chapman begins practicing chemotherapy

1971

  • Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara names Douglas Erickson, MD as Medical Director

  • Nuclear Medicine services commence at St. Francis Hospital

1973

Medical oncologist Wayne Kidder, MD is hired

1985

Cancer Foundation offers medical oncology services in Solvang

1986

Cancer Foundation hires David Babbott as Administrator. He is promoted to President in 1988

1990

Cancer Foundation holds inaugural Viva La Vida to celebrate current cancer patients and long-term cancer survivors

Medical oncologist Fred Kass, MD, MA, JD

1990

Medical oncologist Fred Kass, MD, MA, JD is hired

1991

The Cancer Foundation names Mead Northrop, MD as Medical Director

1992

The Cancer Foundation hires Rick Scott as CFO. He is promoted to Executive Director in 1994 and is named President in 1996

1993

Walk/Run begins. Originally called Terry Fox Run, the event is held for 30 years and raises more than $4M

1994

Cancer Foundation introduces WellFit Exercise Program in conjunction with Julie Main and the Santa Barbara Athletic Club

1995

A CT Simulator is purchased and installed to enhance radiation oncology services

1996

The Cancer Foundation names Thomas H. Weisenburger, MD Medical Director

1997

The Cancer Foundation supports Brent Derry, PhD, its first post-doctoral research fellow at UCSB

1999

The Cancer Foundation implements the Wellness Program, which includes yoga and art classes

2000

The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara changes its name to Cancer Center of Santa Barbara

2001

The Cancer Center Board of Trustees approves the purchase of the Shea property at 540 W. Pueblo Street along with surrounding parcels

2005

The Cancer Center raises $1M to support the purchase and installation of a PET/CT scanner for the Nuclear Medicine Department

2006

Cancer Center holds the first Barbara Ireland Walk in conjunction with Barbara Ireland and her family to raise funds for breast cancer research and programs, following a previous collaboration with the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. The event concludes in 2022 after 17 years.

2010

  • The Cancer Center purchases and installs a new SPECT/CT machine
  • The city of Santa Barbara approves the Master Plan for the new Cancer Center campus
Arthur J. Merovick

2011

The Arthur J. Merovick Endowment for Patient Assistance is established

Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara

2012

The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara patient operations merges with Sansum Clinic; the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara re-emerges as the Cancer Center’s fundraising partner

2017

  • The new Ridley-Tree Cancer Center opens its doors, on time and on budget, after the completion of a two-year $48M capital campaign in conjunction with Sansum Clinic
  • Cancer Foundation names Lori Willis Executive Director, its first female leader

2022

Cancer Foundation completes the acquisition and installation of a first of its kind digital PET/CT scanner for the Central Coast

2024

Cancer Foundation completes the installation of a digital SPECT/CT machine which completes nearly $10M in renovations and equipment upgrades to Ridley-Tree Cancer Center’s Nuclear Medicine Department located in Cottage Hospital