Residents of Bay County, Fla., and surrounding communities will have access to the advanced care of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Care Network now that Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City has joined as its first Florida affiliate.
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Medicine developed the UAB Cancer Care Network to provide community health-care providers access to exceptional cancer research and enable patients to receive care close to home. Launched in June 2011 with four affiliates, the network links the UAB Cancer Center with community cancer centers and hospitals in Alabama, Georgia and now Florida.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the Gulf Coast Medical Center and join forces with affiliates to multiply the power of cancer research and deliver premium care where it is most needed," says Edward Partridge, M.D., director of the UAB Cancer Center and president of the American Cancer Society Inc. "UAB's 350 cancer scientists and clinicians make discoveries every day, and the UAB Cancer Care Network can offer improved access to those discoveries, ultimately saving more lives."