FACILITY SPOTLIGHT: Space Coast Cancer Center

FOR DR. RICHARD LEVINE, staff such as Tina Norman, pictured above with Dr. Levine, is crucial in providing a high level of service that is the mission of Space Coast Cancer Centers.

BEFORE THE OPENING of the Space Coast Cancer Center’s Titusville, Florida complex, a diagnosis of cancer often meant a convoluted, tortuous journey towards recovery for patients in the north end of Brevard County.

Now, however, this state-of-the-art building houses a comprehensive network of services so patients may concentrate on the road to recovery. “Hope,” “Health,” “Healing,” words that adorn the new reception area, also form the philosophy behind the Center.

WHEN HIS NORTH COUNTY practice outgrew its former 3,400-square-foot building, Dr. Levine, past president of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncologists, jumped at the opportunity to incorporate the latest trends in oncology into the impressive multi-million dollar, 22,000-square-foot building located on US 1 in Titusville.

Dr. Richard Levine can’t help but smile when he discusses the facility that represents the ideal in cancer care, but he’s quick to note that the strength of the new facility is made possible only by the efforts of a dedicated team of professionals.  “There’s no way you can do this by yourself,” says Levine. “I have great staff, management team and partners. We all have the same mission of quality care and respect for the patient.”

The Center boasts a staff of 68, including seven physicians and two nurse practitioners. Sister offices are located in Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and  Rockledge.

Deep Community Conection
Levine, in Titusville since 1983, has a deep connection with the community. He still maintains regular contact with patients from his first year in practice. “They have become family,” he says.

When his North County practice outgrew its former 3,400-square-foot building, Levine, past president of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncologists, jumped at the opportunity to incorporate the latest trends in oncology into the impressive multi-million dollar, 22,000-square-foot building, which opened in 2008.  “The fragmented cancer care that has been going on has been centralized,” explains Levine. “The trend is for seamless, multi-disciplinary service.”

THE CENTER is beautifully appointed with the “Art and Healing” exhibit, which includes works from many Brevard artists.

The Center houses a complete arsenal of cancer-fighting weapons wrapped in a comforting and spirit-lifting ambiance. In fact, the Center more resembles an art gallery than a medical complex  The Center has featured several art exhibitions. The “Art and Healing” exhibit has included 65 works from Brevard artists. The Titusville Art League has also participated, adding 20 pieces to the show.  The show ran concurrently with the “Lilly Oncology on Canvas,” a showcase of works by artists from around the globe sponsored by Lilly Pharmaceuticals.  Area artists were on hand that day to help visitors create their own artwork.  The building was designed to comfort. A water wall immediately soothes visitors entering the soaring, two-story reception area. Earth tones and plush seating modules calm nerves.

DR. RICHARD LEVINE and Dr. Jim Palermo, Space Coast Medicine Editor-In-Chief, with the Center's high tech Trilogy Linear Accelerator.

High Tech Facilities
Past the foyer, in three pods of exam rooms, computers arm patients with treatment information.  “We encourage patients to be proactive, because we believe it helps the patient to receive better medical care,” says Levine. “Our charts are their charts. Everything here is electronically ordered, so patients have easy access to lab work and x-ray and progress reports.”

In the nearby bank of vital sign stations, patients enjoy one-stop service for subcutaneous shots, vital signs and blood drawing. “It’s much, much faster for the patient,” says Levine.

The bright, expansive chemo room occupies a large section of the upstairs space. Wall-to-wall windows gaze onto a patio that patients can also use for chemotherapy treatments.

The room features plasma televisions, tones of green and tan, comfortable recliners and original art. Soffit lights simulating clouds wash the space with mood-enhancing light.  “The atmosphere here is uplifting,” says Levine. “There’s plenty of elbow room, too. “Everyone has room to have family sit with them,” says Levine.

Daffodil Society
In the conference room downstairs, cancer specialists present regular seminars on pertinent topics. Here, too, meets the Centers’ Daffodil Society, the group of sympathetic individuals who don bright yellow jackets, daffodil pins and smiles as official guides for both day-to-day operations and special events of the Space Coast Medical Association Foundation, the Center’s charitable arm.

As part of the extra care provided by the Center, the physician-funded Picnic in the Park offers a day when patients can relax and forget their troubles. Over 800 persons attend the yearly party, which features food, music, entertainment and gifts from local merchants. “It’s a lot of work to be a cancer patient,” says Levine. “The picnic gives them the opportunity to enjoy a day off.”

THE WORDS “Hope,” “Health” and “Healing” greet visitors to the reception area at Space Coast Cancer Center. Above, volunteers, from left to right, Joyce Hartung, Roseann Romans, Patient Advocate and Navigator Barbara Prisco, Carol Selph, Nancy Scott, Dawn Galogly welcome visitors to “Art and Healing.”

H. Lee Moffitt Affiliate
The Space Coast Center is one of 17 facilities in the state affiliated with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. The Center offers onsite clinical trials in collaboration with Moffitt as well as with Shands Cancer Centers and the National Cancer Institute, and is one of only three oncology practices participating in quality care studies with Moffitt Cancer Center and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “It’s a way for us to look at ourselves and see what our levels of care are,” says Levine.

Future of Oncology
In the new Space Coast Cancer Center’s building, Dr. Richard Levine and his staff successfully blended the best medical technology and care available with services that also address cancer patients’ emotional needs. “This is the future of oncology,” says Levine. “This is the proper medical model for cancer care.”

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Related posts:

1. Space Coast Cancer Center Hosts Screening
2. Physicians, Survivors Inspire at Space Coast Cancer Center Summit
3. Invigorate Body, Soul and Spirit at Space Coast Cancer’s Daffodil Gala
4. Space Coast Cancer Foundation Gets City of Cocoa Resolution
5. Dr. Levine Appointed to National Cancer Advisory Board