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Lakeland Regional Health\u2019s Hollis Cancer Center<\/a> and the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute<\/a> have partnered to increase access to cancer care across Central Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re very excited about our ability to work collaboratively with Tampa General\u2019s Cancer Institute to really continue advancing access to high-quality cancer services here in our community,\u201d said Danielle Drummond, president and CEO of Lakeland Regional Health.\u00a0<\/p>\n The partnership will give patients access to some cancer services that previously required a trip to Tampa or Orlando, easing the burden on patients and families. It will also facilitate cancer research opportunities and expand access to clinical trials in Lakeland.<\/p>\n Drummond said she hopes the partnership will give patients greater confidence and peace of mind when receiving cancer treatment at the Hollis Cancer Center.<\/p>\n \u201cOur goal is always to provide the highest level of care to our patients close to home, and we are confident that combining our resources and expertise will offer tremendous benefits for our patients,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Bringing more oncologists to Hollis Cancer Center<\/p>\n Drummond said the partnership with Tampa General will bring new subspecialty clinical services to Lakeland Regional Health, including thoracic surgery and treatment for head and neck cancers, as well as more advanced malignant blood cancers.<\/p>\n She said four additional subspecialists from Tampa General \u2014 each bringing expertise in specific types of cancer \u2014 will join the team of 30 advanced providers at the Hollis Cancer Center in March.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPatients in this community will be able to access those services both in the outpatient setting at Hollis, and if they require any sort of surgical or procedural intervention, that care can be provided at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center,\u201d Drummond said.<\/p>\n Advancing research<\/p>\n Lakeland Regional Health will also increase its research capabilities through the partnership.<\/p>\n Cancer research aims to better understand different types of cancer, leading to improved prevention, earlier detection and new treatments. \u201cIt brings a lot of hope for patients that are on a very difficult journey or are seeing a loved one facing a very difficult diagnosis,\u201d Drummond said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe power of the two organizations coming together will really allow us to do some pretty cutting edge work in the way of research,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Drummond said the plan is to assess the research capabilities of each organization, align those efforts and ultimately accelerate the research by working together.\u00a0<\/p>\n Expanding access to clinical trials<\/p>\n Many patients become interested in participating in clinical trials during their cancer treatment journey, Drummond said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Through the partnership, Lakeland Regional Health will be able to give patients access to a broader offering of clinical trials.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would like to work on bringing more of those clinical trial capabilities here locally so patients in the Lakeland area can participate and have that access closer to home than they may today,\u201d Drummond said.<\/p>\n Looking to the future<\/p>\n