At Lakeland Regional Health, patients have access to world-class cancer care right in their community. For 100+ years, LRH has been serving the community with the highest level of care featuring the latest technology — and for more than two decades, its Hollis Cancer Center has continued to set the standard for cutting-edge treatment options, including advanced surgical oncology services.

Surgical oncology involves using surgery to treat cancer by finding and removing tumors from the body. LRH’s Surgical Oncology Department is unique because it combines expert surgeons with a multidisciplinary team approach to care.

Meet a few of the expert surgeons leading the way in cancer treatment at Hollis Cancer Center. | Photos provided by Lakeland Regional Health

Dr. Manuel Molina-Vega and Dr. Kelly Koch, who completed fellowship training at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, are just two of the highly skilled, board-certified physicians who bring their expertise to patients close to home.

Dr. Koch, a specialist in hepatobiliary surgery, emphasizes the benefits of the specialized treatments available at LRH, including Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC).

“We see patients for all sorts of cancers and offer advanced therapy such as HIPEC,” said Dr. Koch. “This treatment is used for various cancer types, including appendiceal, gastric, colon, and mesothelioma cancers. We’re bringing fellowship-trained surgical oncology to you instead of having to travel to other centers.”

In addition to HIPEC, LRH also offers advanced procedures such as the robotic Whipple surgery, a highly complex procedure for treating pancreatic cancer. Dr. Molina-Vega, a hepatobiliary surgery expert and one of the few surgeons in the country performing this procedure robotically, shared, “Lakeland Regional Health remains at the forefront of innovative healthcare, harnessing robotic technology to provide patients with the most advanced surgical options available.”

Every cancer patient’s needs are unique, and at LRH, the care is personalized to maximize treatment outcomes while ensuring the best possible quality of life.

Dr. Sowsan Rasheid, a specialist in colorectal surgery, adds, “Every cancer patient has a unique diagnosis. No two patients are the same — and you should expect that your cancer management is tailored to your needs to help achieve the maximum benefits. That’s what we do here at Hollis Cancer Center.”

Learn more about Hollis Cancer Center