Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute and Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center Expand their Academic Cancer Care Network With Addition of Three Advanced Oncology Specialists

Medical oncologists bring unique expertise in complex blood cancers and solid malignancies to Central Florida.

 

Tampa and Lakeland, FL (May 12, 2026) — The partnership announced in January between Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) and the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) academic health system has taken its next step in developing a cancer care network serving Central Florida by adding medical oncology subspecialists to the Hollis Cancer Center in Lakeland.

 

Led by Dr. Ankit Kansagra, medical oncologist and associate vice president of Oncology Integration & Community Alignment, TGH Cancer Institute, the team comprises Dr. David Swoboda, clinical director of Leukemia, TGH Cancer Institute, and Dr. Noman Ashraf, director, Medical Oncology, TGH Cancer Institute. The team of experienced medical oncologists will work together to expand highly specialized cancer care, strengthen research collaboration and broaden access to clinical trials across the region.

Through the new, integrated network patients can receive top-tier expertise, including access to treatments not currently available locally, such as immunotherapy for complex blood cancers.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering sophisticated, multidisciplinary cancer care close to home, reducing the burden of travel to seek care outside Polk County. This partnership will also help coordinate the provision of advanced therapy available at the TGH Cancer Institute,” said Dr. Francisco Chebly, associate chief medical officer and executive director, Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group. “The addition of these physicians expands the depth of expertise at Hollis Cancer Center and augments our ability to care for patients facing some of the most complex cancers in the Polk County community.”

The partnership between the TGH Cancer Institute and Lakeland Regional’s Hollis Cancer Center will provide coordinated pathways to advanced therapies. This includes:

• Cellular therapies that use immune cells to treat cancer
• Bispecific antibodies that connect cancer cells with the body’s immune cells to help the immune system find and attack cancer more effectively
• Antibody-drug conjugates — targeted cancer treatments that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells
• Early-phase clinical trials and an academic research infrastructure when needed

“Academic medicine delivers its greatest impact when expertise is shared across a region and beyond,” said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, executive vice president, chief of Oncology and president of the Tampa General Provider Network and co-vice president of Clinical and Translational Research of the TGH | USF Health Office of Clinical Research. “By integrating unique expertise in blood cancers and solid tumors into this collaboration, we are expanding coordinated care, clinical research access and advanced treatment pathways for patients throughout Central Florida.”

Expanding Subspecialty Expertise in Blood and Thoracic Cancers

The initial group of physicians will bring complementary expertise across complex blood disorders and cancers as well as solid tumors (a mass of abnormal cells that grow in a specific part of the body) to the TGH Cancer Institute | LRH Hollis Cancer Center.

Dr. Ankit Kansagra

Medical Oncologist and Associate Vice President of Oncology Integration & Community Alignment, TGH Cancer Institute

Kansagra is a hematologist oncologist with deep experience in multiple myeloma, cellular therapy and clinical research who previously held leadership roles in advancing outpatient stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy (CAR-T cell and bispecific antibodies) programs; developing a multidisciplinary program in rare diseases like amyloidosis (the buildup of abnormal proteins in various organs); as well as leading global clinical drug development in emerging immunological cancer therapies. He began seeing patients at TGH Cancer Institute | LRH Hollis Cancer Center in April.

Kansagra previously served as assistant professor in hematology oncology at UT (University of Texas) Southwestern Medical Center’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute and National Comprehensive Cancer Network-designated facility in Dallas, where he helped build a nationally recognized program in multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects plasma cells, and amyloidosis.

At TGH Cancer Institute | LRH Hollis Cancer Center, Kansagra focuses on bringing academically driven care to patients with complex blood cancers, including those who may benefit from stem cell transplantation and advanced cellular therapies, while expanding access to clinical trials through the TGH Cancer Institute network.

“For patients with complex oncological diseases, the combination of deep subspecialty expertise and clearly defined treatment pathways can make an enormous difference in both outcomes and experience,” Kansagra said. “Through this partnership, we are building on the excellent care already being delivered and taking it a step further — integrating cutting-edge diagnostics, multidisciplinary decision-making and seamless coordination across the care team. I look forward to providing truly next-generation specialty care and connecting patients to the most advanced options available, including clinical trials when appropriate.”

Dr. David Swoboda

Director of Leukemia and Myeloid Disorders, TGH Cancer Institute

Swoboda, a physician-scientist specializing in blood cancers, including acute leukemias, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders, joined the partnership in April.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. Myeloproliferative disorders are blood cancers in which the bone marrow produces too many blood cells. Both conditions need specialized evaluation, monitoring and treatment.

As part of the TGH Cancer Institute’s malignant hematology program, Swoboda is known for developing close relationships with patients and families and tailoring care plans to each individual’s disease biology and goals. “Our goal is to ensure patients with complex blood cancers have timely access to research-driven expertise and coordinated treatment pathways,” Swoboda said. “By aligning academic and community resources, we can deliver highly personalized care supported by the full strength of the TGH Cancer Institute.”

Dr. Noman Ashraf

Director, Medical Oncology, TGH Cancer Institute

Ashraf is a board-certified hematologist oncologist with a clinical focus on thoracic cancers and head and neck cancers at the TGH Cancer Institute. He also serves as associate professor of medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa and will join the TGH Cancer Institute | LRH Hollis Cancer Center in July.

Known for his deep knowledge, clear communication and multidisciplinary approach, Ashraf works closely with surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, pharmacists and nurse navigators to help patients through complex treatment decisions with confidence.

“Cancer care today requires precision, coordination and compassion,” Ashraf said. “Through this partnership, patients can access subspecialty expertise while remaining supported within their community.”

Access to Clinical Trials and Advanced Therapies

Through this partnership, TGH Cancer Institute | LRH Hollis Cancer Center patients can benefit from streamlined access to higher levels of consultation, multidisciplinary care planning and a clinical research infrastructure supported by the TGH Cancer Institute in partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

The TGH Cancer Institute is deeply focused on clinical trials, including early (Phase I) cancer research that helps accelerate translational oncology — moving scientific discoveries from the laboratory into patient care. Building on this foundation, the TGH Cancer Institute will expand access to these trials through its growing collaboration with Lakeland Regional’s Hollis Cancer Center, helping more patients across the region participate in innovative studies when appropriate. While certain advanced therapies are delivered at Tampa General’s Davis Islands campus in Tampa, patients across the region have access to these innovations, when indicated.

The TGH Cancer Institute | LRH Hollis Cancer Center will continue to:

●Expand access to subspecialized oncology services

●Link patients to advanced clinical trials

●Enhance multidisciplinary coordination between community-based and academic cancer care teams, including patient support and care navigation services

About the Hollis Cancer Center

The state-of-the-art Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center opened in 2003 and has proudly provided world-class cancer care to the community ever since. The LRH Hollis Cancer Center holds top-tier Gold Status Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The Radiation Oncology program has been awarded the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s Accreditation Program for Excellence, and the Breast Cancer Program is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancers. The Lung Cancer Alliance has designated the Hollis Cancer Center as a Screening Center of Excellence. The center offers comprehensive care for a wide range of cancers, including breast, dermatologic, gynecologic, lung, hematologic and urologic, utilizing the latest treatment techniques and personalized care plans.

About the TGH Cancer Institute

The TGH Cancer Institute — one of Florida’s few cancer centers backed by academic medicine through its partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine — ranks among the nation’s top 10% of hospitals by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2025-2026. The Florida Department of Health has recognized the TGH Cancer Institute in partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as a Cancer Center of Excellence. The TGH Cancer Institute holds accreditations from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer; the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative; the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers from the American College of Surgeons; the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy for excellence in stem cell and cellular therapy; and the American Society for Radiation Oncology Program for Excellence. The institute is a member of the Association of American Cancer Institutes, recognized for leadership in research, treatment, education and outreach, and was named among Newsweek’s America’s Best Cancer Hospitals.