First cancer treatment center in St. Cloud opens at Orlando Health

  • The new Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital cancer treatment facility includes the latest state-of-the-art lab equipment. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD
    The new Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital cancer treatment facility includes the latest state-of-the-art lab equipment. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD
  • Dr. Simi George, M.D. has been treating cancer patients in Osceola County for the past year. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD
    Dr. Simi George, M.D. has been treating cancer patients in Osceola County for the past year. PHOTO/TERRY LLOYD

Oncologist Dr. Simi George and her team debuted the Orlando Health Cancer Institute Oncology Suite in St. Cloud on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

The clinic is the first comprehensive cancer care facility in St. Cloud, and one of the few in Osceola County. The Oncology Suite is located in the Orlando Health Medical Pavilion at 1330 Budinger Ave., adjacent to St. Cloud Hospital.

“We will be able to treat many types of cancers here in St. Cloud, including breast, lung, and colon cancers,” said  George, who is board certified in medical oncology and hematology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She will be treating patients with non-cancer blood disorders and diseases at the new facility, in addition to cancer.

Since cancer treatment can be an arduous and stressful process, both for the patient and supporting family members, having a fully functional cancer treatment facility in the community is a great benefit for St. Cloud residents.

Currently, patients can be screened and seen by Dr. George at the clinic. Approximately 20 patients can be seen per day, and next-day appointments will be available. The on-site lab can return some test results as quickly as 30 minutes. More extensive tests are sent to Orlando Heath’s main oncology lab in Orlando. Some cancer-related surgeries will also be available, utilizing operating facilities at the next-door St. Cloud Hospital. 

Current types of treatment will include immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and IV infusions.  A 12-station Infusion Center will open next month, and patients can receive non-cancer infusions there as well. An onsite facility for radiation cancer therapy is planned for the near future.

Like most healthcare facilities in rapidly growing Central Florida, the Oncology Suite is on the lookout for qualified doctors, nurses, medical technicians and other practitioners. Currently, over 20 open positions are advertised for all of Orlando Health’s St. Cloud operations at https://careers.orlandohealth.com.

"I was specifically recruited by Orlando Health to establish a comprehensive cancer treatment practice in St. Cloud,” Dr. George said. She has been working out of Orlando Health facilities in Kissimmee, seeing patients from throughout the area while the St. Cloud facility was being constructed.  Prior to coming on board with Orlando Heath last January, she spent the last six years working at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona. She has been a practicing physician since 2013 and received her medical training in New York state. 

For more information on the Orlando Health Cancer Institute Oncology Suite, go to https://bit.ly/3Y8CLpW