By Daniel Casciato
Leading-edge research, excellent clinical care and robust community engagement are driving the success of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Health System.
“Our multidisciplinary cancer team is dedicated to bringing the latest diagnostic, treatment and support programs to our highly diverse community,” says Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, director of Sylvester, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2022. “Sylvester’s high-impact initiatives include cancer prevention and outreach, education and training, and support for patients, families and survivors.”
As an academic cancer center, Sylvester’s researchers work closely with clinicians to discover, develop, and deliver therapies targeted at specific cancers in order to achieve better outcomes, Dr. Nimer says. “Our patients have access to more treatment options and more cancer clinical trials than most hospitals in the southeastern United States,” he adds. “Some cancer therapies are only available through the NCI – our ability to provide such therapies to Sylvester patients is an important consideration for the 6.3 million people who live in South Florida.”
Sylvester’s researchers conduct community-based studies to mitigate the impact of cancer on the region’s diverse population groups. “Typically, about 40 to 50 percent of our patients in clinical trials are Hispanic and 15 to 22 percent are Black,” Nimer says. “We are also the only cancer center in the U.S. that translates our clinical protocols into Spanish and Haitian Creole.” Sylvester’s many prevention and education initiatives include the Firefighter Cancer Initiative, which is working to better understand and minimize the increased risk of cancer faced by first responders across the nation.
Sylvester’s scientists also achieve research breakthroughs in their laboratories, leading to better understanding of the genetic, environmental, and metabolic factors that drive the growth of cancer cells and could provide targets for new therapies. “This type of translational research is the cornerstone of our comprehensive approach to cancer,” says Nimer. “Through the years, we have built one of the best cancer epigenetic programs in the world. We also have phenomenal programs in fields like stem cell transplantation, sarcomas and hematologic malignancies or blood cancers.”
Today, Sylvester has more than 300 cancer-focused physicians and researchers, including more than 200 cancer experts recruited from the nation’s top cancer institutions over the past decade. Dr. Nimer points to Sylvester’s culture of excellence, innovation, and compassionate patient care as keys to the center’s recruitment strategy.
“We have a phenomenal culture of teamwork here that includes collaboration across medical disciplines as well as incredible community outreach and engagement” says Dr. Nimer. “As an up-and-coming cancer center, we have modeled Sylvester as a startup. As a result, we have recruited professionals from all over the country who are excited to be a part of our growth. After all, we support innovative approaches to all aspects of cancer care, creating a buzz that attracts talented people of all levels of experience.”
Dr. Nimer adds that Sylvester’s supportive atmosphere includes medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals, as well as patients and families. “I think everyone here will tell you how positive the atmosphere is,” he says. “It’s not easy to be a cancer specialist for your entire career, and deal with life-or-death situations, so we try to take care of our people in all regards.”
Multidisciplinary collaboration is another distinctive aspect of Sylvester’s comprehensive cancer care including research, clinical and educational initiatives from areas as diverse as music, engineering, marine species and computer science.
“We also have collaborative programs with cancer specialists in more than 15 different countries,” adds Dr. Nimer. “We offer training programs for professionals to help them address cancer challenges in their own countries. That’s a vital part of our mission.” Recognizing the center’s focus on addressing inequities in cancer care, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently designated Sylvester as the first WHO Collaborating Centre for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
Closer to home, Sylvester will continue to play a leading role in cancer prevention and treatment throughout South Florida, says Dr. Nimer. “We are committed to building awareness in a culturally sensitive manner, so that our team can make a positive impact in our community.”
For more information, visit Sylvester.org.
