Sarasota Memorial Health Care System recently welcomed several hundred community members, supporters, physicians and staff to a series of grand opening events celebrating the opening of the new Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion, a transformative addition to the health system’s nationally recognized Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute.
The three-day celebration culminated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community tours of the state-of-the-art facility, which expands access to advanced treatments, innovative technologies, clinical research and comprehensive care for patients and families throughout the region.
“Today represents far more than the opening of a new facility,” said Kevin Cooper, chair of the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board. “It reflects our community’s commitment to ensuring that patients and families facing cancer have access to exceptional care, advanced treatment options and compassionate support close to home.”
The outpatient cancer pavilion is the third premier facility in SMH’s evolving Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. Sarasota Memorial opened its first outpatient radiation center at its University Parkway campus in 2020 and dedicated the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute later that year as it was completing construction of an eight-story inpatient and surgical Oncology Tower, which opened on the Sarasota campus in 2021.
Located across the street from the Oncology Tower, the newly opened Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion brings together a full spectrum of outpatient services and seamlessly connects to the Oncology Tower via a pedestrian skybridge, providing one healing and supportive environment for every stage of cancer care.
With the addition of the outpatient pavilion, Sarasota Memorial Chief Operating Officer Jeff Limbocker said Sarasota Memorial’s widening range of fellowship-trained oncology specialists and subspecialists will be able to meet with patients and one another in a single location and host multi-disciplinary clinics that offer a personalized, collaborative approach focused on each patient’s unique cancer.
“That integration is essential,” Limbocker said. “A cancer diagnosis is life-changing, and our goal is to make every step of the journey – from screening and diagnosis to treatment, recovery, and survivorship – as seamless and supportive as possible. Together, these new centers of care have transformed our ability to deliver world-class oncology services right here in Sarasota.”
Guests had the opportunity to tour the pavilion, learn about its advanced treatments and patient-centered approach, and meet many of the clinical teams who will provide care within the facility. The pavilion is home to the Boscia Breast Health Center, surgical oncology suites, infusion center, radiation oncology center, high-risk oncology clinic, advanced imaging, genetic testing and counseling, and oncology specialists with First Physicians Group and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute.
Lives changed, lives extended
Stacey Corley, president of Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, recognized the vision, generosity and partnership that made the project possible, including the ongoing philanthropic support of Susan Milman, which made the cancer pavilion possible, and the foundational grant from the Jellison family, which spurred development of the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute.
“This evening is a reminder of what can be accomplished when generous donors, dedicated healthcare professionals, and an entire community come together around a shared vision,” Corley said.
At a special event for Sarasota Memorial’s oncology team, Ryan Jowers, vice president of the Jellison Cancer Institute, thanked the physicians, care teams and supporters whose expertise, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence made the Jellison Cancer Institute a reality.
“You are the heart of this institute, and the reason this vision matters so deeply,” he said. “And to our many donors and supporters, your generosity has created something far greater than a facility – you have created hope. You have ensured that families facing one of life’s most difficult journeys can do so close to home, surrounded by support, strength, and possibility. Today, we celebrate not just what has been built, but what will happen here in the days, months, and years to come – lives changed, lives extended, and lives saved.”
Submitted by Kim Savage
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Memorial cancer care expands with new pavilion
Reporting by Special to the Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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By Special to the Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
