The Richard & Melanie Gonzmart Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program at the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute provides comprehensive, specialized cancer care for patients aged 15–39. As one of Florida’s leading academic health systems, we ensure every young person has access to world-class care, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
Cancer in adolescence and young adulthood creates challenges that are distinct from those faced by pediatric or older adult patients. Our program is designed to bridge these gaps with seamless transitions, specialized services, innovative treatments, and supportive resources tailored to the medical, emotional, social, and financial needs of young adults.
Our Commitment to Young Adults
A cancer diagnosis can reshape every part of life, including your education, career, finances, fertility, relationships, independence, and identity. Through a transformative gift from Richard and Melanie Gonzmart, the TGH AYA Cancer Program exists to remove barriers, provide clarity, surround patients with support, and empower young adults to move through diagnosis and treatment with confidence, dignity, and hope.
We meet every young patient where they are, offering academic‑driven, whole‑person care that sees the complexity of young adulthood and supports the future each patient deserves.
Who We Serve
Our program is built specifically for adolescents and young adults who receive a cancer diagnosis, whether they arrive through a pediatric referral, an adult oncology clinic, the emergency department, or a community provider.
AYA patients have experiences and needs that can differ from both pediatric and older adult cancer populations. Many are navigating college, new careers, financial independence, caregiving roles, family-planning decisions, or the early stages of adulthood. The emotional, social, physical, and logistical pressures are significant and often underrepresented in traditional cancer care.
The TGH AYA Cancer Program serves:
- Patients aged 15–39, across all cancer types
- Young adults transitioning from pediatric care, supported through a structured collaboration with the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
- Individuals facing complex life‑stage challenges, including fertility questions, mental health concerns, disrupted education or employment, childcare needs and lifestyle impacts
The Tampa General Difference
The TGH AYA Cancer Program is strengthened by the full power of academic medicine through our partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. This collaboration brings together nationally recognized physicians, breakthrough research, advanced treatments, and leading‑edge technology, all within a system committed to elevating the standard of care across Tampa Bay and beyond.
Our AYA program benefits from world-class multidisciplinary approaches to cancer care. It is informed by the expertise in our adult and pediatric cancer programs, all while meeting the unique needs of our young adult patients.
At TGH, AYA patients benefit from:
Academic Medicine at Work
- Access to innovative treatment options, including clinical trials evaluating novel treatments that may not be widely available
- Care teams who teach, lead, and publish in their fields, ensuring patients receive the most current, evidence‑based approaches
- A research‑driven environment where new therapies, supportive care models, genetics, and survivorship strategies are constantly advanced
- A culture of collaborative care that accelerates problem‑solving and elevates outcomes
AYA‑Focused Expertise
- A multidisciplinary team with dedicated AYA leads across oncology, hematology, psychology, nutrition, genetics, gynecology, and social work
- A telehealth‑first system that removes barriers and supports young adults wherever they are
- Wraparound services that are designed to address real‑life needs like transportation, mental health, and financial stress
- A safety‑net mission ensuring equitable access to high‑quality cancer care
Fertility, Family Planning & Comprehensive Young Adult Support
Cancer treatment can significantly affect future fertility. For many young adults, family‑building is a deeply personal and important part of long‑term life planning. Our program takes this consideration seriously, offering urgent consultations, coordinated care pathways, and financial advocacy to ensure patients have legitimate options.
Fertility Preservation Services (FPS) include:
- Rapid‑response fertility counseling at diagnosis
- Egg and sperm preservation options with expedited scheduling
- Ongoing communication between oncology and reproductive specialists
- Insurance navigation and advocacy
- Grants and financial assistance through philanthropic partners
- Telehealth appointments to minimize delays and reduce burdens during treatment
Expanded Support for Whole‑Person Needs:
- Childcare support for patients balancing treatment and parenting responsibilities
- Transportation assistance, such as gas cards, rideshare coordination, and American Cancer Society support
- Scalp cooling services with funding options to reduce chemotherapy‑related hair loss
- Psychological and emotional support through virtual therapy and stress‑reduction platforms
- Financial counseling & resource navigation
- Nutrition & wellness services delivered in person or via telehealth
AYA Monthly Tumor Board
Our AYA‑dedicated tumor board is one of the program’s strongest differentiators. Each month, leaders from oncology, hematology, surgery, radiation oncology, pediatrics, fertility, genetics, psychology, social work, nursing, and research convene to review active cases.
What the Tumor Board Does:
- Reviews each patient’s clinical status, treatment plan, barriers, and psychosocial needs
- Ensures no available resource or clinical opportunity is overlooked
- Coordinates transitions for patients moving from pediatric to adult care
- Identifies research or clinical trial eligibility
- Addresses issues that could impact care delivery, such as transportation, childcare, financial strain, or treatment side effects
- Invites input from AYA‑specific navigators and research coordinators
Research & Clinical Trial Access
As part of the TGH Academic Health System, our Cancer Institute houses a growing portfolio of national, investigator‑initiated, and industry‑sponsored clinical trials across cancer types. Our research infrastructure expands access to cutting‑edge therapies.
What Patients Can Expect with TGH:
- Opportunities to participate in trials unavailable at many community hospitals
- Access to therapeutic candidates that may improve outcomes or reduce side effects
- A dedicated Pediatric–AYA research coordinator bridging pediatric and adult networks
- A research team that supports enrollment, education, scheduling, and follow‑up
- A commitment to equity
- Opportunities through Children’s Oncology Group (COG) clinical trials
