CHICO, CA (MPG) - Affiliation with UC Davis Health Cancer Care Network enhances advanced cancer treatment close to home.

Enloe Health and UC Davis Health are bringing leading-edge cancer research and clinical trials to the North State. As the newest affiliate of the UC Davis Health Cancer Care Network, Enloe Health can now open innovative clinical trials with the full support of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“The affiliation brings the latest discoveries in cancer care to Enloe Regional Cancer Center without its patients ever leaving the convenience of their local health system,” said Susan Walsh, executive director, UC Davis Health Affiliate Network. 

As the only cancer center in inland Northern California designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is considered one of the top cancer centers in the country.

Breaking new ground

Enloe Health held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for its new Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chico, which is expected to open in early 2026.

“UC Davis research has immense promise for improving cancer survival and treatment outcomes,” said Medical Director of the Enloe Health Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center Sam Mazj, M.D. “Enloe Health’s affiliation with UC Davis will bring together a diverse team of scientists, medical professionals and community partners to conduct cutting edge research and treatment in our community. It symbolizes hope.”

“This is a truly transformative partnership,” said UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Primo “Lucky” Lara Jr. “The best part is patients will not have to travel to Sacramento to have the access to advanced research that they deserve.”

About Enloe Health

Enloe Health is a proudly independent, nonprofit system offering an array of medical services. Our mission is to elevate the health of our communities. We strive to deliver exceptional health care experiences. The organization comprises several clinics, including more than 45 medical services, and employs nearly 4,000 people.

Enloe Health Medical Center is a 298-bed Level II Trauma Center — the only Level II Trauma Center between Sacramento and Redding. Enloe operates FlightCare air ambulance services, the only hospital-owned and operated air ambulance in California and provides a regional medical center for six counties.

About the Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center

Enloe Health’s new Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center, an approximately 97,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, will replace the Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center. The new center will remedy the dire need to increase cancer care services in the North State, where cancer is a leading cause of death. On May 10, Enloe Health celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony signaling the start of construction. Completion is scheduled for the summer of 2026.

The new center will serve Northern California between Colusa County and the Oregon border. It will include expanded patient care space, advanced treatment options, enhanced equipment, integrated supportive therapies and more.

About UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 100,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 240 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer.

Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.