Company Profile - Cancer Centers of Florida

Overview

Florida Institute of Research, Medicine & Surgery was founded as Regional Hematology and Oncology Associates in 1992. The original practice opened in Lake Underhill. Within the past three years, Florida Institute of Research, Medicine & Surgery has grown to twice its size.

We now have centers at the following locations:

Clermont

Gore

Ocoee

Winter Park

Florida Institute of Research, Medicine & Surgery now provides the Orlando community with multi-disciplinary oncology treatment at multiple locations.

Environment

Values Statement We believe in the value and quality of life, in the uniqueness of each individual, and the importance of an organization that performs as one. We emphasize respect, integrity, honesty, commitment, perseverance, determination, and dignity among our employees, patients, and those who help us achieve our goals. We are focused and maintain a comfortable, positive and enjoyable environment to instill a strong work ethic. We expect our employees to treat others as they would like to be treated.

Vision

Mission Statement

Florida Institute of Research, Medicine & Surgery provides state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer care to the Central Florida communities we serve. Oncologists and clinical staff provide patient care in a compassionate, patient-focused, cost-effective, community based setting. As members of the nation's largest leading network of cancer care providers, our patients have access to the latest cancer therapies, diagnostic and treatment technologies, and clinical research.

Vision Statement

The medical community, patients and their families, employees, and payors recognize Florida Institute of Research, Medicine & Surgery as the premier provider of cancer care in Central Florida.

People

Our medical team is headed by physicians who are board certified in medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology and internal medicine. They work with a dedicated staff of clinical and professional members who are sensitive to the needs of cancer patients and their families. All are committed to providing care that meets individual patients' physical, psychological and emotional needs. Recognizing the impact cancer has on the lives of patients and their families, we focus on the unique quality of each individual and their exclusive needs. Our goal is to offer the most effective cancer treatment program available while helping patients maintain their quality of life. Through our many hospital affiliations, we afford access to a wide range of psychosocial services including nutritional advice, counseling, patient and family support groups and other programs available in the community.

Services

Oncology

Oncology is the service provided by a team that consists of Medical Oncologists and Oncology Nurses. This team plays an important role in the care of cancer patients by providing education to the patients and their families about various forms of cancer and the temporary side effects of cancer treatment through chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a systematic treatment for cancer. Throughout the treatment process, the healthcare team closely monitors patients. Our nurses are excellent resources for cancer care information.

Hematology
Hematology is the study of blood and blood-forming tissues and the study of the nature, function and disease of the blood and of blood-forming organs. Hematologists often deal with diseases such as leukemia, hemophilia, Hodgkin's Disease, multiple myelomas and lymphoma.

FIRMS gives patients access to the latest and most advanced radiation therapy technologies. The purpose of all radiation treatment is to destroy the cancerous tumor while minimizing the adverse effects on nearby healthy organs and tissues.

Radiation Oncology is a service provided by a team that consists of Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists, Dosimetrists, Radiation Therapists, and Nurses. Radiation Therapy is the use of high energy
X-Rays, radioactive materials, or newly developed radiopharmaceuticals to kill cancer cells. A course of radiation therapy can incorporate the use of external beam radiation as well as the use of radiation materials implanted in the body (Brachytherapy).

Clinical Laboratory Services
Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases including Cancer. Laboratory tests are provided to patients in connection with their chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. Clinical Laboratory Technologists, Technicians, and Medical Assistants, perform most of these tests. They examine and analyze blood and other body fluids utilizing State of the art equipment to provide a vast volume of information to enable your physicians to prescribe the appropriate treatments and/or preventive measures to ensure the best therapy for you.

As an accredited laboratory, we have met the following standards:

Enrollment in a proficiency testing program Instrument maintenance program Continuing education program for laboratory staff Reasonable documentation of laboratory functions Pharmacy
Oncology pharmacy services include comprehensive patient education, continuity of care, convenience, and access to a pharmacist specializing in cancer and treatment. These services include mixing of chemotherapy products for physicians offices, providing take home prescriptions in some offices, and filling research prescriptions. The pharmacist providing these services is specially trained to support cancer patients being cared for by US Oncology professionals. The pharmacists provide support to both physicians and nurses allowing them to perform more complicated therapies in the outpatient setting rather than in the hospital. This results in reduced health care costs as well as improved patient satisfaction through convenience. The pharmacy, through the development of cost effective results oriented drug usage protocols and evaluation of drug utilization helps lower costs and improve patient care. Oncology pharmacy services are ultimately for the patients benefit to ensure the patients will be much more satisfied with the overall cancer treatment experience.

Patient Support Services
Nutritional Counseling: Many patients have an altered nutritional status while receiving treatment for cancer. Personnel are available at our office who can provide guidance to the patient regarding his/her personal nutrition problems and needs.

Complimentary Services
The physicians at FIRMS, being very attentive to complementary aspects of cancer care, have established complementary services addressing the varying needs of all cancer patients and their families.

The services also include genetic counseling and testing, followed by appropriate preventive interventions, including access to various chemopreventive clinical trials and interaction/consultations with physician researchers.

Contact

For consideration, please email or fax resumes to celia.roe@USONCOLOGY.com or (407)447-2531. EOE.