The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 13 and its first patients will be treated Sept. 18, ushering in a new era of cancer treatment in Santa Barbara.

“It has taken a small village of people over a decade to make this dream a reality,” said Kurt Ransohoff, CEO and chief medical officer at the Sansum Clinic. “We could not be more grateful to our donors.”

The cancer center’s main benefactor and namesake, Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, also spoke to those in attendance.

“Walking through this facility for the first time just warmed my heart,” she said.

The construction and development of the cancer center was led by G.L. Associates, a firm that specializes in the health care industry.

Paintings and sculptures from local artists cover the walls of the cancer center and are a reminder of the time and care that went into the new building.

It will centralize outpatient care in Santa Barbara by putting medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, genetic counselors, patient navigators, nutritionists, clinical researchers, social workers and wellness practitioners together under one roof.

• Contact Robert Shutt at rshutt@pacbiztimes.com.