University of Florida Health Cancer Center

08/11/2025

The Hogtown 5K Beer Run on Sept. 20 has something for everyone! Bring the kids for the 1/2 Pint Root Beer Run. And don’t forget your four-legged family members. New this year is the 1 Mile Dog Jog, a course for pups of all ages.

This isn’t just a fun morning out, it’s a chance to support local cancer patients and their families. All proceeds go directly to the Climb for Cancer Foundation, helping those receiving cancer treatment at UF Health.

Register today and make a real impact: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjMzMjEw?fbclid=IwY2xjawMAcctleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETAwMUpLYlVha1ZEeVZRUktjAR6niAfijpbmGmMNS-Lj0mH3cHfRnpTdZjwGr7TTR-w0QvRvgY5M7KJvovrcEQ_aem__V_6_XQJbdl_XTqzbWD7lQ

08/08/2025

Hats off to the nine outstanding students who completed our 2025 STRONGER summer cancer research internship, funded through the National Cancer Institute!

The immersive 12-week program takes a novel approach by inviting University of Florida graduate students and postdoctoral trainees to lead the cancer research projects and serve as direct mentors. Meet the interns and learn about the research:

The STRONGER program helps position undergraduates for successful careers in cancer research.

08/07/2025

UF Health Shands Hospital is honored to be nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report 2025–2026 for delivering outstanding oncology care to patients facing a cancer diagnosis. UF Health Shands Hospital is a national leader in providing expert care for patients facing cancer.

08/06/2025

University of Florida researchers have launched a first-in-human clinical trial to test a novel immunotherapy treatment for children with an aggressive type of brain tumor. The Phase 1 clinical trial is expected to enroll up to 18 children between 4 and 18 years old with pediatric high-grade gliomas that express a protein called CD70.

St. Baldrick's Foundation Florida Department of Health (DOH) Live Like Bella

The Phase 1 clinical trial is expected to enroll up to 18 children between 4 and 18 years old with pediatric high-grade gliomas.

08/04/2025

UF Health Cancer Center researchers have developed a digital tool that uses artificial intelligence to accelerate the diagnosis of acute leukemias. The tool can help clinicians predict how a patient’s disease might progress and their chances of survival.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A team of University of Florida Health researchers has developed a digital tool that uses artificial intelligence to accelerate the…

08/01/2025

A handheld device to detect breast cancer with simple saliva samples is closer to reality. University of Florida researchers have simplified the design of the biosensor and done additional testing in patient saliva samples.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers have improved a potentially transformative handheld device to detect breast cancer in saliva, simplifying…

07/31/2025

A natural athlete and nurse, Shelby Copas was shocked to learn her fatigue and headaches were symptoms of an aggressive, fast-spreading brain tumor.

Thanks to the supportive, leading-edge care she received at UF Health, Shelby is now on track to graduate from an RN-BSN online program. She hopes her experience brings hope to others who have had to experience the whirlwind of a life-threatening diagnosis.

Get inspired by reading her story:

Shelby Copas, always a natural athlete, collected several trophies throughout her childhood. Her extraordinary athleticism was especially on display in…

07/29/2025

We're proud that UF Health Shands Hospital is ranked in the nation's top 50 hospitals for cancer treatment, according to the 2025-26 U.S. News and World Report “Best Hospitals” report!

UF Health Shands is also “high performing” in colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, lung cancer surgery and prostate cancer surgery.

Read more: https://go.ufl.edu/s31aclb

07/25/2025

After fighting prostate cancer for five years, Steve Hurm was informed of the terrifying news that he may only have two years to live. Before his diagnosis, he was active and had no symptoms.

After years of androgen deprivation therapy and chemotherapy, the cancer continued to spread. But when UF Health adopted the new radiopharmaceutical technology, Steve decided to give it a chance. This would change the trajectory of his life.

He was referred to Dr. Kathryn Hitchcock and began the treatment. After six rounds of radiopharmaceutical treatment, his PET scan showed no detectable cancer.

Now, Steve is able to spend time with his family and do the things he loves, like golfing and photography. This second chance gave him a new outlook on life, leading him to appreciate every day and every moment.

https://ufhealth.org/stories/2025/steve-took-a-chance-on-a-new-treatment-now-hes-cancer-free

07/24/2025

“Wait… that’s a job?” Sure, doctors and nurses are the stars you see, but behind the scenes, UF Health is powered by an incredible cast of unsung heroes in roles you’ve probably never even heard of. From high-tech problem-solvers to creative healers, these unique jobs are anything but ordinary. How many of these careers did you know existed?

- Veterinary Ophthalmologist: Caryn Plummer, D.V.M., DACVO, UF Alumna (D.V.M. '02)
- Flight Paramedic and Nurse Practitioner: Staccie Allen, D.N.P., APRN, CFRN, (UF Quadruple Alumna BSBA '99, B.S.N. '03, M.S.N. '14, D.N.P. '18)
- Veterinary Forensic Pathologist: Adam Stern, D.V.M., DACVP
- Occupational Therapist and UF OT Clinic Director: Anna Baird-Galloway, O.T.D., OTR/L
- Professor of Bioethics and Law: Lauren Solberg, J.D., M.T.S., UF Alumna (B.A. '01)
- Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse: Corinna Dyl, BSN '13, R.N.
- Street Psychiatrist and VA Inpatient Chief: Dawn-Christi Bruijnzeel, M.D., UF Alumna (M.D. '01, psychiatry residency '05)
- Director of Clinical Education, Speech Pathology: Kristen Lewandowski, M.S., CCC-SLP
- Zoo Med Veterinarian: Amy Alexander, D.V.M., DACZM, UF Alumna (B.S. '05, D.V.M. '10)
- Special Care Dentist: Timothy Garvey, D.M.D.
- Infectious Diseases Pharmacist: Kate DeSear, PharmD, BCIDP
- Infectious Diseases Pharmacist: Barbara Santevecchi, PharmD, BCIDP
- Clinical Microbiology Lab Supervisor: Jhoan Moncada, M.T. (A.B.B.)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Specialist: Seunghee Cha, D.M.D., Ph.D.