Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute 6420 West Newberry Road, Gainesville, FL 32605

"I have been referred to this practice, SPECIFICALLY dr Vijay Patel, SIX times over the last four mos from pcp from er from other spec. I have even seen Dr Patel once for low iron saturation but then moved all care to UF (don’t do that.) Myself and my pcp keep getting the same response:”Dr Patel thinks you’d be better off at UF” when they KNOW I refuse to treat there, and denied scheduling being told practice mgr will call me back. During these 4 mos, I’d say about 1/4 of my hair has fallen out, I have no folate, my ferritin is high and rising, lipids high with blood clotting disorder and fibromuscular dysplasia,very low vit k and b12, calves burning crampinghistory of iron infusions, methylation inborn errors, and now er and urgent care over Xmas (no celebrating this year) for hypotension not explained by ekg or heart labs. I have asked the practice manager to provide me a letter in writing why I am being denied an appointment at Florida Cancer specialist, and I have not received any explanation or any letter over the last four months while my labs continue to get worse, and while I am going bald. I have NO idea why I’m being denied an appointment there. I Who knows. They won’t tell me. Seems purposefully cryptic . FCS seems to have a monopoly on hematological care in Gainesville so now I’m forced to seek an urgent appointment in another city, when I can barely make it to my appointments in town, and now I may need to be hospitalized bc of hypotension likely caused by hematological problems. I cry every time I take a shower bc my sinks are clogged with hair and I’m losing weight and so fatigued with NO answers or appointment offered. This has caused me so much emotional duress. In general , Gainesville is a medical wasteland. Get out of here if you are a rare/chronic disease patient, and if you want to have your basic medical needs met and patient rights kept intact. Funny they responded to contact them update: Denied an appt after mltpl referrals to Gainesville practice. Called for months leaving msgs concerned about symptoms and the fact that a pcp took me off my blood thinner. The reason I was given for denial , over and over again, “Dr Patel thinks you’d be better off at UF” to which I kept replying “I don’t want to treat at UF I have pulled all my care from there” t office mgr just kept repeating her reasoning. I finally make it to a hematologist. My labs are jacked: elevated lipids cholesterol high low b12 factor 8 (I have a blood clotting disorder and a prior DVT and my dad had a stroke at my mid age) other labs off: high homocysteine high ferritin low folate low k. I’m lucky I didn’t have a stroke while waiting for fl cancer spec to give me an appointment, which they were never going to do apparently. This practice either discriminated against me bc I have mild cognitive impairment and ptsd, or they were told by the va not to help me, either way they UNLAWFULLY denied me an appt. I was put on high dose of blood thinners right away and told never again to come off of them. Now working to restore my labs with supplements and careful monitoring. I’m seeking legal representation. It is worth driving out of Gainesville to find another practice, unless you’re okay with literally risking your life. SHAME ON YOU ALL"

"The entire office (Gainesville location is the only one I have been to) is friendly and knowledgeable. They always go above and beyond to answer any questions or concerns I may have and Dr. Nance is wonderful along with the lab and infusion team. The financial counselors work with your individual situations as well as some of these treatment plans can be very expensive even with insurance. I live over 70 miles away but I still wouldn't change offices. So glad I have found a great place to receive the care I need."

"From a patient who has been given hope for new life. I have realistic hopes of my great granddaughter getting to know me! It’s easy to give good reviews when Dr. Laura Dickerson and her team stayed on top of my Stage 3 Lymphoma Cancer. Great communication, follow-up, scheduling, and care were every step of my journey. Florida Cancer Specialist is an excellent center to put your life in their hands. The center is busy but always available to answer my concerns and inquiries. The patient portal is great for reports in a timely manner. Every caregiver on the team handled my care with satisfaction. Oh those words, “Cancer-Free” were so comforting! And now the follow up. It’s been a year and the center continues to check on me, take blood samples, do scans…. Make sure if the cancer cells do return, they will be right on it. I trust my life in their hands! And that’s the way I feel about Florida Cancer Specialists."

"Doctor Nance and her team are amazing. They make you feel like you are the only one being taken care of. The treatment room nurses are wonderful. They take care of all your needs entire time you are there. I have been in the CT area once, getting ready to go again in a few days nurses made it a pleasant experience my first time. Check-in and check-out was a pleasure thanks to the great staff. This place is great."