Fort Myers, Fla., September 26, 2019 – Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has doubled the size of its centralized Pathology Laboratory. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held today at the newly constructed, 50,000 square foot facility located in Fort Myers.
The FCS Pathology Laboratory serves over 230 physicians who practice at FCS’ nearly 100 sites throughout the state, providing complete and accurate tests and reports which are critical to cancer diagnosis and treatment. As integral members of the cancer care team, the Pathology Laboratory’s skilled hematopathologists and surgical pathologists provide a comprehensive testing menu that includes flow cytometry, histology and immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, FISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization) and central lab services.
“Pathology is at the core of oncology practice and clinical research,” said FCS Chief Operating Officer Todd Schonherz. “We have steadily expanded our testing capabilities to keep pace with clinical advancements and our growing presence in Florida.”
Dr. Ryan Olson, medical director of FCS’ Pathology Laboratory, said, “With real-time access to patient health information through our online medical records system, our lab and our staff are seamlessly integrated into daily patient care and we maintain highly personal communication with the oncologists we serve.”
“All of our testing is centralized and streamlined,” said Dr. Wilfredo Blasini, FCS co-director of Laboratory Services. “Our consistently fast turn-around time means that oncologists and their patients receive complete and accurate results quickly, which greatly minimizes patient anxiety.”
The expanded FCS Pathology Lab is sized to accommodate continued growth as well as ongoing clinical and technological advances. A Cytogenetics Lab Center was recently added and the possible expansion of molecular testing to include NGS (next generation sequencing) for both hematologic and surgical pathology specimens is also being explored.
The FCS Pathology Laboratory has achieved “Gold Standard” certification from the College of American Pathologists (CA).
About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com)
Recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) offers patients access to more clinical trials than any private oncology practice in Florida. In the past four years, the majority of new cancer drugs approved for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials with Florida Cancer Specialists participation.* Trained in such prestigious medical schools and research institutes as Duke, Stanford, Harvard, Emory, M.D. Anderson, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, our physicians are consistently ranked nationally as Top Doctors by U.S. News & World Report.
Founded in 1984, FCS is one of the largest medical oncology/hematology practices in the United States. With more than 230 physicians, 220 advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) and physician assistants (PA) and nearly 100 locations in our network, we are committed to providing world-class cancer care in community-based settings, close to home.
Florida Cancer Specialists has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies, genomic-based treatment, and immunotherapy. Our highest values are embodied by our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians, clinicians and staff.
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