Eastern Oregon Cancer Center Reopens, Serving Radiation Patients Across Region

The Eastern Oregon Cancer Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, March 19, at its facility at 1713 SW 24th St. in Pendleton, marking the end of a 14-month closure that had sent radiation patients from La Grande and across the region as far as Portland and Boise for care.

The Pendleton Chamber of Commerce participated in the reopening of the center, which CEO Liz Lee says is the only radiation oncology provider in Northeastern Oregon. "The center reopened because this community needs local radiation oncology care," Lee said.

Lee credited the restart to a former employee who had been with the center since it was built in 2019, along with medical director Dr. Josh Garren, a board-certified radiation oncologist with more than 20 years of experience and a medical degree from Brown University. When Garren learned the center was closing after its previous owners shut it down in January 2025, Lee said he refused to let it stay dark. "He fell in love with Pendleton and was devastated to hear the center was closing. So he got some friends and family together — physicians and partners — to do whatever it took to keep the doors open," she said. "And here we are today."

One patient testimonial posted on the center's website captures what his involvement means in practical terms: "Dr. Garren is very concerned with my health since the beginning. He is very knowledgeable. Because of him, I am clear of cancer."

The center works closely with Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande, which refers patients for radiation oncology treatment. "We work closely with Grande Ronde Hospital who refer patients to our clinic for radiation oncology," Lee said. Providers seeking to refer patients can fax a referral to the center's HIPAA-compliant line at 541-304-2275; patients and families can call 541-304-2264 to schedule an appointment directly.

Lee was direct about the center's identity in the region. "We are not a bunch of out-of-town suits," she said. "We believe that cancer patients heal the best when they are treated close to home and surrounded by their family and friends."

The center accepts a range of insurance plans including Oregon Medicaid, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, PacificSource, UnitedHealthcare, Moda Health, Providence Health Plan, Tricare, VA Community Care Network through TriWest, and Railroad Medicare through Palmetto GBA. For patients traveling from outside Pendleton, the Eastern Oregon Cancer Network also offers patient housing based on economic need within a block of the facility.

A public reopening celebration honoring community leaders and cancer survivors is planned for Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.