Nationally-Recognized Health Care Providers, Leading Academics and State Leaders Address Access to Cancer Treatment in Florida's Rural Communities

Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute hosted a day of keynotes, presentations and discussions at TGH Brooksville to address the challenges facing cancer patients in rural communities.

BROOKSVILLE, Fla., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute and USF Health, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, hosted leading health care experts, academic researchers, and cancer survivors for a series of discussions at TGH Brooksville on the unique challenges rural populations face when it comes to cancer.

The event, titled "Addressing the Cancer Control Continuum in Rural Communities," featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including John D. Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital, and Eduardo Sotomayor, M.D., vice president and executive director of the Cancer Institute at Tampa General Hospital. Experts from the TGH Cancer Institute, University of South Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society, among others, led sessions.

"With the incredible technologies and innovations available today, nothing should stand in the way of cancer patients accessing breakthrough research, innovative treatments and world-class care. Yet geography remains a substantial barrier," said Couris. "By convening some of the brightest minds in health care with leaders who can inspire meaningful change, we are working to break down these barriers and give every cancer patient the best possible chance at the best possible outcome."

Academic health systems like the partnership between Tampa General Hospital and USF Health have the resources and medical infrastructure to help increase access to the highest levels of care for these rural patients, said Charles J. Lockwood, M.D., MHCM, executive vice president and chief academic officer of Tampa General, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.

"We are committed to ensuring that all Floridians can receive comprehensive cancer services that are coordinated across the full spectrum of care, so that these patients' needs are met — whether they need to receive innovative surgical procedures, access to the newest clinical research trials or other services," according to Dr. Lockwood. "Our faculty physicians are a vital part of improving the lives and health of patients across Florida."

The conference underscores the TGH Cancer Institute's commitment to increasing access to world-class care. Any Floridian diagnosed with cancer—regardless of location—should receive the highest-quality care and the greatest chance of survival.

"With the latest research, innovative technologies and best-in-class providers, cancer patients will get the best chance at survival," said Dr. Sotomayor. "But prevention is the most effective tool, and early detection is critical to a successful treatment plan. That's why we're working together with our government partners, across health care systems and throughout the communities to raise awareness and promote screening."

The discussions focused on cancer prevention, cancer treatment and navigating survivorship post-care. Researchers revealed the latest data from clinical trials related to cancer treatment and highlighted the importance of rural populations gaining access to these findings.

Peter Chang, M.D., senior vice president and chief transformation officer at Tampa General, discussed the role that artificial intelligence (AI) and teleoncology can play in enhancing cancer care in rural areas and other underserved communities.

The conference concluded with breakout sessions, which focused on solutions to address the challenges discussed earlier in the day. Facilitators led conversations on access to care, survivorship care, delivery models, cancer prevention and regional partnerships.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America's Best Large Employers, the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America's Best Employers by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2023, provided a net community benefit of approximately $301.8 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North, which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, two TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 20 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

ABOUT USF HEALTH
USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the Taneja College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health's multispecialty physicians' group. The University of South Florida, a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and committed to community engagement, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Through hundreds of millions of dollars in research activity each year, USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. For more information, visit health.usf.edu.

Media Contact: 
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SOURCE Tampa General Hospital