Cancer Care Expanding Closer to Your Home

A diagnosis of cancer is stressful in the best of circumstances. Traveling out of town for treatment adds worry and travel burdens for both patient and family.

Receiving treatment close to home allows patients to rest and recuperate in the comfort of their own home, surrounded and supported by family and friends.

Lee Health has helped thousands of cancer patients locally through its comprehensive oncology program at the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center, located just off Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers, adjacent to I-75.

The  multidisciplinary treatment team includes physicians, nurse navigators, pharmacists, social workers, dieticians, cancer rehab specialists, and genetics counselors who design treatment programs with an eye on compassionate and collaboration.

With the continued growth in Southwest Florida, Lee Health Regional Cancer Center is expanding its oncology program with plans to open a new cancer center in Bonita Springs, followed by plans to expand to Cape Coral in the next 2-3 years.  

The Bonita Springs-Coconut Point expansion will include medical oncology and complete infusion services at the Bonita Health Center, 3501 Health Center Blvd, Bonita Springs.

The anticipated timeline to open this location is in the spring of 2023.

As well as accessible locations, a successful cancer care program requires an experienced and dedicated team.

Dr. Mark Roh joined the team earlier this year as Lee Health’s new chief physician executive of oncology services. With more than 35 years of medical leadership experience in cancer care, Dr. Roh provides direction and support to the medical staff while working collaboratively with the operations team and other leaders who provide cancer care.

He has served in leadership roles at The University of Florida Cancer Center Orlando, MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Over the past several months, Lee Physician Group (LPG) has also significantly grown its adult medical oncology care team, including physicians and nurse practitioners.

LPG Adult Hematology-Oncology includes:

• Dr. Venkata Parsa
• Dr. Janine Harewood
• Dr. Leandro Moraes
• Dr. Manoel Moraes
• Dr. Monika Arya
• Dr. Anamika Katoch 
• Michael Mongiello, APR
• Victor Howell, APR
• Elise Martinez, APR
• Melissa Cole, APRN

Lee Health Regional Cancer Center’s programs offer the most advanced cancer diagnostic and treatment plans, using cutting-edge technology and national clinical guidelines. Treatment options include surgical, medical and radiation oncology, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clinical trials, cardio-oncology, cancer rehabilitation and supportive care. By expanding our program, we will be able to keep our patients in their neighborhoods and community so they can receive treatment closer to home.

Debra Wilson is Lee Health’s Vice President of Oncology.