Partnership Will Bring Moffitt Cancer Care to Pasco

is teaming up with local doctors belonging to a national network of oncologists to develop cancer centers throughout the state, with the first center planned for New Port Richey in Pasco County.   

The center will be the first developed in collaboration with the U.S. Oncology Network, according to a press release from Moffitt. The plan is for the two entities to create such centers throughout Florida together.

A specific location for the Pasco center has not been announced, but the plan is to open it in early 2012.

The U.S. Oncology Network bills itself as one of the largest networks of community-based oncologists in the nation. Moffitt is the only National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida.

“Our goal at Moffitt is to utilize pathways and evidence-based medicine to bring high-quality, cost-effective cancer care and top-notch research closer to patients, so we can all be closer to a cure,” Moffitt CEO Dr. William Dalton stated in a press release. “The US Oncology Network has this same goal, and by working together, I believe we can better achieve this for cancer patients in Florida.”

Independent physicians will operate out of the center, with support from the Oncology Network and Moffitt.

Dr. Gerald Robbins, an oncologist at the  in the New Port Richey area, is one of a group of local doctors that will be involved with the new center. Currently, there are four West Pasco doctors involved including Robbins, all of whom work at Florida Cancer Institute.

The center will have outpatient cancer treatment services. Services offered at the center are planned to include chemotherapy, hematology and radiation oncology, said Robbins, president of a group that the West Pasco doctors formed as part of their participation in the center. The center will also conduct laboratory and research work.

“We should be able to bring Moffitt quality and closer access to research into the community,” Robbins said.

Moffitt does not know the specific location for the cancer center in the New Port Richey area or whether it will redevelop an existing building or build a new one, said Michelle Foley, spokeswoman for Moffitt.