Florida Cancer Specialists' President Discusses Innovations in Cancer Care at the White House

On January 7, 2025, Dr. Lucio N. Gordan, the President and Managing Physician of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), participated in a significant event at the White House aimed at highlighting nationwide efforts to combat cancer. This event coincided with the Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative, which focuses on accelerating progress against cancer treatment, research, and education.

The impact of Dr. Gordan's discussion went beyond rhetoric; it included a detailed overview of the transformative patient navigation programs at FCS, which have been pivotal in eliminating barriers for cancer patients. His insights were part of a panel that reviewed the Biden Cancer Moonshot Mission Report covering progress made in 2024 and plans for the future.

The Cancer Moonshot initiative, an effort spearheaded during the Biden-Harris Administration, has seen the execution of over 120 actions from the federal government and nearly 225 commitments from organizations nationwide. Dr. Gordan emphasized the collaborative achievements of these initiatives and the crucial role that patient navigation programs play in the fight against cancer.

With nearly 100,000 new cancer patients treated each year across almost 100 locations in Florida, FCS has developed a comprehensive care coordination team that meets the physical, psychosocial, and emotional needs of patients. Through the recently established Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) billing codes by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), FCS is committed to providing personalized navigation services, ensuring no patient feels isolated while battling cancer. The significance of these services was highlighted by Dr. Gordan as he expressed, "No patient or family should have to navigate cancer alone."

Danielle Brown, Senior Director of Care Coordination at FCS, joined Dr. Gordan to speak about the comprehensive navigation solutions offered. Their successful implementations have led to a measurable decline in emergency department visits as patients receive timely interventions for serious complications. As noted by Brown, this program not only enhances patient outcomes but also reduces overall healthcare costs, aligning the needs of both patients and payers.

During the discussion at the White House, Dr. Gordan also included data from a recently published case study that illustrated the positive outcomes achieved through their patient navigation services. The report, released in November 2024, showcased a commitment to improving health equity by screening for social determinants of health among cancer patients, addressing barriers early on to improve treatment efficacy.

In closing, Dr. Gordan reiterated the commitment of FCS to lead the way in ensuring that every cancer patient receives timely, individualized care that is vital for achieving better health outcomes. He stated, "We applaud the collaboration and commitments developed through Cancer Moonshot and are proud to play a significant role. As we have for more than 40 years, FCS will continue to champion personalized cancer treatment and support innovative clinical research efforts."

For healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates alike, the event underscored the importance of collaboration in driving positive change in cancer care, reinforcing the fundamental belief that innovative treatment approaches and comprehensive patient support are essential to combating cancer successfully.

To learn more about the impact of the patient navigation program and view the full case study, visit FLCancer.com/PINCodeCaseStudy.