SCMC Management Team

Christopher Vanley, MD, Chief of Staff

Dr. Christopher Vanley was born in Santa Monica, California, and grew up in nearby Long Beach, the oldest of three boys. His father was a radiologist and a dedicated physician whose love of medicine and commitment to the community were a source of inspiration to Dr. Vanley from an early age. Dr. Vanley attended undergraduate school at the University of Southern California, graduating with a study focus in history and premedical science. He met his future wife in a summer school chemistry class at Long Beach State University, and was married after graduation. He attended medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, while his wife pursued a degree in pharmacology (graduating first in her class).

After internship, Dr. Vanley spent a year working in emergency rooms and traveling around the world before beginning his study of pathology at Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, California. Pacific Medical Center (now California Pacific Medical Center) was a busy and growing place, with diverse programs that included transplantation and pediatric oncology. During training, Dr. Vanley had additional opportunity to study cytopathology at the University of California at San Francisco, focusing on the then new field of fine needle aspiration, as well as cardiac pathology at Stanford University. He later assisted in the development of both programs at his hospital. He was an active participant in the educational programs for his hospital, speaking frequently on clinical and anatomic pathology issues. His interest in oncology led to a gubernatorial appointment as a member of the California State Cancer Advisory Committee. The committee assisted in the development of information pamphlets on breast and other cancers, and investigated cancer practices in the state to assure uniform and safe standards.

Both of Dr. Vanley’s children were born in San Francisco, and his entire family developed a life long love of the city. However, after completing his pathology studies and an additional year in San Francisco, he accepted a position at South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, California, in order to be closer to his wife’s and his own family. He has been laboratory director at South Coast Medical Center since 1983 where he is very actively involved in all aspects of hospital and medical staff responsibility, particularly cancer and patient safety.