LAKELAND, Fla. — Two major hospitals are preparing to expand cancer treatment options as Polk County continues to see rapid growth.
What You Need To Know
- Lakeland Regional Health’s partnership with Tampa General Hospital will bring more oncologists and cancer specialties to Polk County
- The collaboration is designed to help meet the rising demand for cancer care as Polk County’s population continues to grow
- The partnership will allow for additional clinical trials, research opportunities and expanded services at the Hollis Cancer Center beginning March 1
Lakeland Regional Health is teaming up with Tampa General Hospital to bring more oncologists and physicians to the area.
Polk County resident Lourdes Salgado began treatment at Lakeland Regional Health’s Hollis Cancer Center last year. She says what began as a hospital visit for a stomachache led to a shocking diagnosis.
“I have stage 4 gallbladder — or had stage 4 gallbladder cancer. After so many tests and scans, they told me, and I just felt like my life was over. That was it,” Salgado said.
Thankfully, Salgado says months of chemotherapy were not as difficult as she expected. She credits part of that to being able to receive treatment closer to home instead of traveling to Tampa.
“All I knew about was Moffitt, so I was kind of dreading it,” she said. “Then I found out about Hollis, and my oncologist is here, so that’s been nice.”
The Hollis Cancer Center treats about 5,000 patients each month. While the center provides care for many types of cancer, some specialties are not currently offered. Through the new partnership with Tampa General Hospital, Lakeland Regional Health President and CEO Danielle Drummond said the hospital will be able to expand its services.
“We’ll actually be bringing in physicians from the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute to practice here at the Hollis Cancer Center, so patients will have peace of mind knowing they can access high-quality care without having to leave the community,” Drummond said.
It’s a change Salgado says will make a world of difference during what can often feel like the most difficult journey.
The partnership will also allow for more clinical trials and research opportunities. Physicians and oncologists from Tampa General Hospital are expected to begin working at the Hollis Cancer Center on March 1.
Alexis Jones
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