A cancer diagnosis can leave someone feeling lost, afraid and unsure about what comes next. But in the Inland Empire, there’s a special place filled with people ready to guide the way.
“We just wanted to make sure people didn’t feel alone,” said Kim Gerrish, the executive director of Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center in Temecula and the winner of the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) 2026 Inspire Award. “We want to meet you where you are while you’re going through cancer.”
At Michelle’s Place, all resources are offered at no cost to individuals, families, caregivers, children, spouses, significant others, and, of course, cancer patients themselves.
No appointments are required for services that include:
- Support programs
- Group therapy sessions
- Education classes and seminars
- Health and wellness activities
- Comfort and care items
- Outreach resource assistance
Gerrish was the organization’s first employee 23 years ago. She describes the center’s environment as “warm, inviting and nonmedical.”
Today, Michelle’s Place serves over 6,000 cancer patients and their families in the IE dealing with all different kinds of cancer, according to Gerrish.
“We’re here to either just give you a hug or answer questions or attend an art program,” she said. “They come in here very sad or scared or lost or unsure – and they always, always leave happier or better than when they came in, which is what fills you; it’s what motivates you to do what you do.”
Gerrish applauded the collaborations between Michelle’s Place and IEHP over the years, emphasizing how the health plan’s proactive approach benefits cancer patients as well as the community.
“I love IEHP … not just for the people that we’ve been able to work with, but I love how forward-thinking they are,” she said. “They have come to us so many times with a project or an idea or an inspiration that is so different but meets a need or solves a problem.”
One example Gerrish cited: Each patient navigator at Michelle’s Place is a certified Community Health Worker (CHW), thanks to IEHP’s designation program.
“So, thank you, IEHP, for bringing us along with you,” she said. “Thank you for what you do for the community, thank you for what you do for Michelle’s Place and cancer patients.”
Learn more about the Living the Mission Awards and IEHP’s Mission Conference at https://missionconference.iehp.org.
For more on this award winner, click the “play” button below: