#United States #Tampa #Tampa General #Cancer Institute #USF Health

Tampa General Hospital's Cancer Institute Achieves Important Reaccreditation

Tampa General Hospital (TGH), in collaboration with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, recently announced that its Cancer Institute has successfully earned reaccreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. This distinction serves as a national benchmark for quality cancer care programs, ensuring comprehensive treatment from prevention to survivorship.

This reaccreditation, which remains effective until late 2028, underscores TGH's unwavering commitment to rigorous academic standards, innovative clinical research, and the prioritization of patient-centered cancer care. The acknowledgment reflects the hospital’s dedication to continuous improvement in quality, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary care to enhance outcomes and the quality of life for patients.

Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, Vice President and Executive Director of the TGH Cancer Institute, shared, "We continue to build a cancer institute defined by clinical excellence, innovation, and compassion. This reaccreditation is an important milestone on our journey. It symbolizes the strength of our partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the high caliber of our physicians and teams, and our commitment to providing world-class cancer care to patients throughout Florida."

Since its initial accreditation in 2022, TGH Cancer Institute has greatly expanded its advanced programs and services tailored to meet the evolving needs of patients across the region. The institute has made significant enhancements in specialty care, rolled out groundbreaking treatment options, and broadened its research capabilities.

Major Developments and Expansions

Among the noteworthy developments:

• - Cellular Therapy Program: This initiative facilitates advanced therapies for patients with aggressive hematologic malignancies, including CAR T-cell therapy and bone marrow transplants, supported by a well-coordinated clinical team within Tampa General's innovative clinical infrastructure.
• - Phase I Cancer Research Unit: This unit is dedicated to advancing early-phase clinical trials while enhancing patient access to experimental therapies.
• - Center for Precision Radiosurgery: Now equipped with AI-driven, real-time motion tracking technology, this center offers highly specialized treatment options.
• - Susan and John Sykes Center of Excellence in Colorectal Cancer: This facility is under development to enhance patient care, education, and research initiatives within the Cancer Institute and the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
• - Community Outreach Programs: These initiatives aim to improve early cancer education and screening in rural areas, addressing the unique challenges these communities face in cancer care.
• - Sarcoma Center of Excellence: This center offers inclusive diagnostic and treatment services for over 70 types of bone and soft tissue sarcomas, gaining inclusion in the prestigious Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration, a recognition obtained by less than 5% of cancer centers nationally.

Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, Executive Vice President and Chief of Oncology at Tampa General, stated, "The Commission on Cancer reaccreditation reinforces that our model is effective — a multidisciplinary, research-driven approach that treats the whole person and ensures patients receive the right expertise at the right moment. We have strategically built an institute that distinguishes Tampa General as adaptable and firmly academic, where clinical excellence, clinical trials, and translational research progress together."

Research and Academic Innovations

The partnership with USF Health enhances the TGH Cancer Institute's research capabilities. Recent significant initiatives include:

• - TGH | USF Health Precision Medicine Biorepository: This infrastructure enables tumor sequencing and facilitates precision medicine research, paving the way for personalized treatment paradigms.
• - NIH Grant for Colorectal Research: The institute received a $3.1 million grant to explore chronic inflammation's relationship with diet and colorectal cancer and investigate dietary interventions as potential treatment pathways.
• - Microbial Oncology Program: This newly launched initiative, led by renowned scientist Dr. Robert C. Gallo, focuses on the intersection of microbiology and oncology, promoting long-term research prospects.
• - Research Leadership Expansion: The recruitment of Dr. Marshall Posner as Associate Director of Clinical Research is intended to accelerate access to clinical trials and enhance research strategies at Tampa General.
• - A newly published study in the Annals of Surgical Oncology showcasing a treatment known as HIPEC demonstrated improved survivability rates in patients with advanced ovarian cancer compared to conventional methods.

Dr. Thomas Rutherford, Director of the Division of Gynecology Oncology and Deputy Director of the TGH Cancer Institute, echoed that the success leading to reaccreditation is a direct result of the cohesive teamwork and multifaceted approach dedicated to addressing comprehensive patient needs.

The TGH Cancer Institute stands out as one of Florida's premier cancer treatment centers, backed by strong academic medicine links, and ranks within the top 10% of U.S. hospitals according to U.S. News & World Report. Its accolades include multiple accreditations, affirming its leadership in patient care, research, and community outreach. As Tampa General continues to expand its capabilities through innovation and collaboration, the future looks promising for cancer treatment and research in Florida.