AdventHealth’s East Florida Division is expanding its cancer services across Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties in response to rising demand for specialized care in one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions.

The division, which includes seven hospitals and a network of outpatient facilities, has increased capacity so patients can move from diagnosis to treatment more quickly and access technologies that were previously available mainly in major academic centers.

“Our region’s population growth is driving the need for more accessible, specialized care,” said Shyroll Morris, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for the AdventHealth East Florida Division. “As our community grows, we’re here to meet families where they are — with expert specialists, advanced technology, and compassionate care that’s close to home.”

Each year, the East Florida Division supports nearly 1.3 million patient visits across its hospitals and outpatient facilities, with more than 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers delivering care in the three-county region.

From 2020 to 2024, the division recorded a 46 percent increase in radiation therapy courses. To meet that need, AdventHealth has opened or upgraded facilities and installed next-generation treatment platforms across its sites. The current network includes five radiation oncology centers, two outpatient infusion centers, two nationally accredited breast centers, two robotic bronchoscopy programs and 10 imaging centers, collectively caring for about 5,000 cancer patients each year.

“Physicians choose this region because they can practice at the top of their field and collaborate across sites,” Morris said. “That mix — technology, teamwork and timely access — changes outcomes and the care experience.”

Investment in technology and patient-centered care

Across the region, clinicians are using technologies such as Ethos adaptive radiation therapy, TrueBeam and Vision RT to deliver more precise treatments that spare healthy tissue. Adaptive radiation allows oncologists to adjust plans daily based on subtle anatomical changes, aiming to reduce side effects and maintain accuracy.

“Adaptive radiation lets us fine-tune in real time,” said Shiv Desai, radiation oncologist at AdventHealth Daytona Beach. “Small, daily adjustments help keep the dose locked on target while sparing healthy tissue.”

Technology upgrades are paired with integrative, whole-person support that goes beyond clinical treatment - connecting patients to oncology nurse navigation, genetic counseling, nutrition, spiritual care, survivorship, and other supportive therapies such as acupuncture and massage.

Early detection in lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In the East Florida Division, incidence and mortality rates remain higher than the state average, prompting a focused lung cancer program.

By combining low-dose CT screening with artificial intelligence–assisted lung nodule tracking, AdventHealth reports it has reduced the average time from diagnosis to treatment from about 90 days nationally to about 30 days across the division.

In 2024, early-stage lung cancer diagnoses (48 percent) surpassed late-stage diagnoses (46 percent) for the first time in the division, reversing historical patterns. Leaders attribute this shift to expanded screening and more systematic follow-up.

“Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.,” Morris said. “When it’s found early, people have more options and more hope. That’s why this screening program is so important. It’s already helping our neighbors and their families stay healthier and feel more supported on their care journey.”

“If you wait for symptoms, you’re already behind,” said Dr. Wallace Thomas, interventional pulmonologist. “Screening gives us a fighting chance to find it before it’s too late.”

Nurse navigators support patients through each step of the screening and diagnostic process, aiming to reduce delays and prevent individuals from being lost to follow-up.

Volusia County: A hub for innovation and whole-person healing

In Volusia County, AdventHealth Daytona Beach offers Ion robotic bronchoscopy to biopsy small nodules deep in the lung, along with Ethos adaptive radiation, TrueBeam and Brainlab systems to guide treatment. Interventional pulmonologists use minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and manage conditions such as lung cancer, COPD and airway obstruction, seeking to shorten recovery times and improve quality of life.

Earlier this year, Corrine Graczewski, a 72-year-old cancer survivor from Ormond Beach, became the first patient in Volusia and Flagler counties to receive treatment using the Ethos system, a moment celebrated during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway.

“Ethos represents a major step forward in cancer care,” said Desai. “It allows us to offer world-class precision therapy right in our community, and stories like Corrine’s remind us what that progress means for real people.”

AdventHealth Daytona Beach also opened the SherryStrong Integrative Wellness Center, which provides free services such as yoga, acupuncture, oncology massage, nutrition counseling and wig fittings, funded in partnership with the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation.

At AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach, oncology services are now fully managed by AdventHealth clinicians, linking patients to the AdventHealth Cancer Institute network. Recent upgrades include a second infusion room and Vision RT surface-guidance technology for radiation therapy.

In West Volusia, the AdventHealth DeLand Cancer Center participates in the regional lung nodule program, while AdventHealth Fish Memorial is expanding its cancer services with a new TrueBeam Linear Accelerator, enabling techniques such as 3D conformal therapy, IMRT and SBRT.

Flagler and Lake County: New capacity close to home

In Flagler County, the Freytag Cancer Center at AdventHealth Palm Coast stands as a symbol of progress and community investment. Opened in early 2025, the $30-million, two-story, 30,000-square-foot facility brings radiation and medical oncology together in one space, designed for comfort, privacy, and seamless coordination of care.

The center features next-generation technology, including the TrueBeam radiation system and tools for precision medicine, immunotherapy and genetic-based treatments. It also houses the relocated Judith C. Macko Resource Center, providing free education, wigs, and support services for patients and families.

“Freytag Cancer Center is more than just a building; it’s an investment in our community and a commitment to compassionate, world-class care,” said Denyse Bales-Chubb, president and CEO of AdventHealth Palm Coast and the Flagler and St. Johns market.

In Lake County, AdventHealth Waterman became the first hospital in the county to offer Ion technology as part of a US$1-million investment in cancer care, aiming to diagnose lung cancer sooner and start treatment more quickly. The hospital also opened the Strands of Hope Wig Boutique, which provides free wigs and fittings for women experiencing medical-related hair loss.

In 2026, AdventHealth Waterman will further expand its capabilities with the installation of a new state-of-the-art TrueBeam Linear Accelerator, enhancing access to advanced radiation therapy and making it easier for patients to receive the care they need in their own community.

Looking ahead

Across Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties, AdventHealth continues to recruit oncology specialists and deploy AI tools intended to detect disease earlier and guide care decisions.

“Every improvement we make, from technology to the care experience, comes back to one goal,” said Morris. “We’re building a system where people don’t have to leave their community to receive the very best care. That’s what it means to extend the healing ministry of Christ.”

The original article was published on the AdventHealth news site.