Moffitt First Connect Office To Open This September in Ocala
Key Takeaways:
- Moffitt First Connect will open Sept. 14 in Ocala to expand access to oncology expertise
- Advanced practice providers will conduct initial assessments and coordinate diagnostics, referrals and next steps
- The office will connect patients with Moffitt specialists, clinical trials and treatment services across locations
Moffitt Cancer Center is expanding access to its specialized oncology expertise this September with the opening of a new facility in Ocala designed to better meet patients where they live.
Moffitt First Connect will begin serving patients in the region Sept. 14. The location will serve as a local point of access to Moffitt’s expertise, focusing on initial assessments, care navigation and referrals.
Patients will be connected to the appropriate Moffitt locations for diagnostic testing, treatment and other specialized services through Moffitt First Connect.
Connecting Patients to the Right Care
“Moffitt First Connect is essential to providing community-based rapid access to Moffitt expertise,” said Nainesh Parikh, MD, Moffitt chief clinical expansion and partnerships officer.
The new office will serve as a local point of access to Moffitt’s expertise.
The team will also help patients navigate the next steps in their care, such as connecting with Moffitt oncologists, evaluating potential clinical trial opportunities or coordinating a transition to treatment.
A Clearer Path for Patients
The new office location has patient advocate and Ocala resident Amy Bondon hopeful about the impact of reaching more people.
Nearly seven years ago, Bondon was referred to Moffitt after weeks of severe pain, difficulty eating and medical testing that led to concerns that she had cervical cancer. What followed were multiple surgeries, treatments and life-threatening complications.
After recovering, she became a volunteer patient advisor to give others the same support and encouragement she received. She now visits patients to help them through their cancer journeys and hopes the First Connect office will support more people in the Ocala region find a clear path to Moffitt’s world-class expertise and services.
“At Moffitt, I didn’t feel alone,” she said. “The thing that made my recovery bearable was the amazing connections with the nurses and medical assistants. It meant so much to me that they would take the time to visit and talk with me.”
Parikh says families in the Ocala area will benefit from improved access to Moffitt care and appropriate referrals to treatment as needed.
“We are proud to strengthen our presence in Ocala and north central Florida, deepening our partnerships with local physicians, health systems and community organizations,” Parikh said. “Together, we can ensure more patients have access to the expertise, innovation and compassionate care for which Moffitt is known.”
Medically reviewed by Nainesh Parikh, MD, Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology Program
