HERMISTON — Physicians, staff and cancer survivors celebrated the new location of the Good Shepherd Cancer Center on Thursday, July 18.

Board-certified hematologist and oncologist Dr. Stephen Iacoboni helped get Good Shepherd Health Care System’s cancer center off the ground in early 2020, a few months after arriving at the Hermiston hospital. Until recently, the center was on the second floor of the main hospital. The new location, on the main floor of the Good Shepherd Medical Plaza, is better suited for both patients and physicians, Iacoboni said.

“From a patient’s standpoint, it’s much more pleasant and more inviting,” he said. “It’s on the main, so you can walk right in. It has private rooms. More spaces for the nurses. And from a physician’s point of view, it’s much better here, as well.”

Good Shepherd President and CEO Art Mathisen praised the Cancer Center’s new location’s aesthetics and the hard work of everyone who was involved.

“This is a labor of love for the many patients that come here,” Mathisen said. “The aesthetics are really important.”

This is the fourth time Iacoboni has been involved in starting up a cancer center. He previously opened cancer centers in Kennewick, Walla Walla and Coeur d’Alene. He said the key to a quality oncology department is commitment to the patient.

“Aside from technology, what you need to provide oncology care is heart and soul,” he said. “Whenever we see you, we give you our heart and soul.”

Iacoboni, who sees about 20 patients a day, spoke about the importance of personal, one-on-one care. He told a story of seeing one of his regular patients. Something about her didn’t look right. It turned out she had a blood clot in her lung and had to be flown to Portland for treatment.

“How did I know? I see her every week and take the time to talk with her,” he said, adding he wouldn’t have noticed any change in her if he only saw her every six weeks like some doctors in larger centers.

“When I have conversations with them, it’s not just to pass the time,” Iacoboni said. “There’s a purpose behind it. The more you know a patient, the better you can treat them.”

The Good Shepherd Cancer Center is accepting new patients. For more information, call 541-667-3615 or visit the Good Shepherd Cancer Center website.