Pictured above: Community Hospital's infusion center staff
There’s a special philosophy behind cancer care at Montage Health: A cancer journey is about more than just diagnosis and treatment. Every person who faces a cancer diagnosis deserves a coordinated team that helps them navigate appointments, understand treatment options, manage daily life, own their survivorship, and find support and resources through some of their most challenging moments.
Today, that philosophy takes on new meaning with the naming of the Bodine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Montage Health’s Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.
The center is named in honor of Murray Bodine, a local community member whose cancer journey inspired a vision that is shaping cancer care in Monterey County for generations to come. Before his passing, Bodine helped rally a remarkable village of friends and family who raised $14 million through Montage Health Foundation to strengthen cancer patient navigation, support services, and access to advanced treatments locally.
More than cancer treatment
"At its core, this is about people," says Michele Melicia Young, director of Montage Health Foundation. "Murray's cancer care at Montage Health showed him what compassionate, coordinated care can mean during a cancer journey. His hope was that every person in our community could access that same level of support."
Montage Health’s newest radiation oncologist, Dr. Samrat Sanghvi, agrees.
“Some of the biggest challenges patients face happen outside treatment rooms,” Sanghvi says. “They're trying to manage appointments, understand complex medical information, coordinate care, and cope with emotional impacts of a cancer diagnosis. Navigation and support services help remove those barriers so patients can focus on their treatment and recovery."
Patients often need help connecting with specialists, navigating insurance questions, and managing the practical realities of treatment. These services, known as cancer navigation, help ensure that patients never feel lost or alone in the process.
Building the future of Monterey County’s cancer care
The philanthropic support generated through Bodine's efforts is already shaping cancer care across Monterey County. The funding is supporting expanded patient navigation and survivorship services, increased access to clinical trials, and major technology investments that improve access to quality care close to home, including a renovated and expanded infusion center that doubles treatment capacity and offers added comfort, privacy, and room for healing. It’s also enhancing the patient experience with the launch of a dedicated cancer patient valet service at Community Hospital, making visits easier and less stressful for patients and families.
Efforts are also underway to expand cancer prevention, early detection, and screening access throughout Monterey County, particularly in communities that have historically faced barriers to preventive care. Future initiatives include enhanced cancer risk assessment tools, community outreach, and bilingual education.
Among the most significant technological upgrades is the addition of a second linear accelerator, a sophisticated radiation treatment machine that will allow the center to treat substantially more patients while maintaining timely access to care.
"Receiving advanced cancer treatment locally makes a tremendous difference in the cancer journey," Sanghvi says. "We're investing in technology, clinical expertise, and support services that allow patients to access highly specialized cancer care without leaving our community."
A community's impact
What began as one patient's gratitude became a coordinated effort to shape the future of cancer care for every person in Monterey County. The Bodine Comprehensive Cancer Center stands as both a tribute to Murray Bodine's legacy and a promise for the future: that cancer care in Monterey County will continue to evolve, expand, and meet patients where they are.
