In 1983 Dr. Levine started his practice in Titusville of Hematology and Medical Oncology, caring for patients with blood disorders and cancer. He became a member of the medical staff at Parrish Medical Center (PMC) and shortly thereafter opened offices in Rockledge and the Merritt Island Cancer Center as well as joining the staff at Wuesthoff Medical Center (WMC) and Cape Canaveral Hospital (CCH).
Dr. Levine initiated both nationally accredited cancer programs at PMC and CCH, and is responsible for establishing the Moffitt Cancer Center affiliation with Parrish Medical Center and Space Coast Cancer Center and the Shands Cancer Center affiliation with Cape Canaveral Hospital.
Through the years the practice has grown and Drs. Zimm, Sprawls, Castro, Dalal, Muwalla, Perez and Pelayo have joined the hematology and oncology service. In 2008 the doors opened for the new comprehensive Titusville Cancer Center.
Dr. Cynthia Bryant, board certified radiation oncologist, leads the radiation oncology department utilizing the Varian TrueBeam and Trilogy. Space Coast Cancer Center has available a 24/7 maintenance contract for the TrueBeam and Trilogy. We have routine preventative maintenance which minimizes any machine downtime. This ensures patients are treated on schedule and increases their opportunity for cure and rapid palliation of symptoms. At the cancer center nationally accredited diagnostic imaging services including CAT scan and PET/CTs are performed and interpreted by board certified radiologists. Infusion services are available at all three offices (Titusville, Viera, Merritt Island). Clinical trials have been offered at SCCC since 1989.
We are proud to be the first Moffitt Cancer Center affiliate practice in Brevard County and collaborate with Moffitt Cancer Center on clinical trials, quality assurance studies and cancer prevention and screening events. The physicians of Space Coast Cancer Center and Moffitt Cancer Center collaborate closely and enhance the medical care and service cancer patients receive this allows rapid access for second opinions by experts in their field at Moffitt Cancer Center, as well as providing standard care and clinical trials locally at Space Coast Cancer Center.
In June 2011, we opened the Viera Cancer Center in Viera Medical Plaza on the campus of Viera Hospital.
Comprehensive medical treatments in a supporting, caring environment are important to the physicians and staff at Space Coast Cancer Center.
We were the first practice in the state of Florida to participate in the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI), sponsored by a national professional society, The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). We continue participating in the QOPI quality studies and are one of the few practices in the State of Florida that make this effort.
We have a full-time quality assurance nurse. She works closely with Moffitt Cancer Center and is responsible for completing the Space Coast Cancer Center Florida Initiative of Quality Cancer Care (FIQCC) clinical trial. In addition to Moffitt Cancer Center we participate with cooperative groups (Southwest Oncology Group – SWOG), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI-CTSU), as well as pharmaceutical companies.
To help patients, we have a full-time patient Advocate and Navigator who contacts all new patients and is also available for all established patients of our practice. She assists with education, counseling, financial assistance, transportation, and helps coordinate their care at the cancer center and with other healthcare providers. The business office has a full-time financial counselor who is knowledgeable of the insurance benefits and assists patients in obtaining optimal insurance coverage as well as assistance from the state and pharmaceutical companies.
In office laboratory services are available. The laboratory is nationally accredited by Commission on Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). We participate in quarterly quality assurance testing to maintain accuracy and safety for the patients and staff.
The newest advances in the application of targeted therapy is available at Space Coast Cancer Center. In collaboration with Caris DX patients’ tumors are analyzed for prognostic and therapeutic bio-markers including gene mutations and tumor receptors. This assists the oncologist in directing personalized cancer treatment in the hopes of improving response rate and decreasing toxicity. We are very excited about the availability and potential usefulness of this endeavor.
One of the most recent initiatives at Space Coast Cancer Center is the implementation of national guidelines for treatment utilizing the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Clinical Pathways. The Pathways are evidence-based treatments approve by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommending the most effective and least toxic best treatment regimen for cancer patients. Patients who are treated according to Pathway guidelines will receive the established best possible care according to national review of the medical literature. This has the hope of providing improved opportunity for cure with less toxicity in a most cost-effective manner. We are proud to be the first hematology/medical oncology practice in the state of Florida to be approved by UPMC for collaboration.
At the Titusville Cancer Center we have a Resource Center. This has available for patients: wigs, scarves, post mastectomy breast prosthesis and bra fittings, and other supportive care services. For family members there are cards, flowers and mementos available for purchase.
Helping coordinate quality cancer care among multiple medical specialties and support service providers can be challenging. Here at Space Coast Cancer Center we have established multidisciplinary care teams. The leader ensures that patients will have rapid access to all the different services that they need. For example, patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer usually need to be seen by the ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, oral dental surgery, gastroenterology, general surgery, medical oncology, pain management, nutrition services, psychosocial care, rehabilitation (swallowing and speech therapy), diagnostic imaging (CAT scan and PET/CT) and radiation therapy. The care team coordinator helps the patient with their scheduling and follow-up with all these integrated medical services. This facilitates improved access as well as outcome and cure.
The Mission of the physicians and staff of Space Coast Cancer Center is to provide state-of-the-art cancer care utilizing the most modern and safest technology, follow evidence-based national guidelines, and collaborating with Moffitt Cancer Center. Clinical trials, quality assurance studies, multidisciplinary care, nationally accredited diagnostic imaging studies and 24/7 availability and coverage are all important and valued medical care services that we provide. We are proud to be leaders in Florida as the first practice to participate in national quality studies, utilizing national guidelines and treatment pathways, as well as establishing the Survivorship Summit and clinic. It is a privilege to care for you and we will strive to do our best to always provide you the best care possible.