GO2 for Lung Cancer recognizes HCA Florida Ocala Hospital for commitment to highest standards

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has been named a Center of Excellence by GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2) for its ongoing commitment to providing exceptional care to the Ocala community and the surrounding area. The designations provide access to testing for patients with certain tumors to determine suitability for personalized, targeted therapies and immunotherapies, as well as providing a robust lung nodule program that is instrumental in early detection of lung cancer, giving patients the best possible outcome.

“HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is dedicated to providing patients with the highest quality care,” said Alan Keesee, chief executive officer at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “We are thrilled to be part of this elite network, setting an example for responsible treatment and care practices across the country and helping people diagnosed with lung cancer in our community live longer, higher-quality lives.”

An estimated 237,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, and while it remains the leading cause of cancer deaths, lung cancer survival rates are growing at a rapid pace thanks to early detection and the availability of new, groundbreaking treatments for people diagnosed with the disease.

“We are proud to have HCA Florida Ocala Hospital among the community of GO2 for Lung Cancer Centers of Excellence that is national in scope and local in impact,” said GO2 Chief Healthcare Delivery Officer Joelle Fathi. “Across the U.S., the majority of people at risk for or living with lung cancer are served by a local community hospital near their home. Through the GO2 COE network of community hospitals, clinics, and academic and VA medical centers, we are fostering and supporting essential knowledge sharing and collaboration that brings national and global advancements in early detection, treatment and care close to home.”

GO2 Centers of Excellence in Biomarker Testing are dedicated to offering guideline-directed testing to assess patients’ suitability for targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Through the use of advanced next-generation sequencing technology, they provide precise, personalized treatment strategies, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

Centers of Excellence in Incidental Pulmonary Nodules provide a structured program that captures incidentally found lung nodules from imaging, with a standardized process for patient follow-up and reporting across the health system.

In addition to receiving this newly awarded designation as a Center of Excellence in Biomarker Testing and Center of Excellence in Incidental Pulmonary Nodules, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is also recognized by GO2 as a Center of Excellence in Cancer Care and Lung Cancer Screening:

• Cancer Care, for demonstrating access to standard cancer services within medical, radiation, and surgical oncology and pathology.

Lung Cancer Screening, for implementing a structured low-dose CT screening program that adheres to NCCN, USPSTF, or CMS criteria and uses a standardized process to manage patient follow-through.