TGH Cancer Institute Expands Its Hematologic Malignancies Program With Addition Of Physician

Tampa FL

05 August, 2021

4:55 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — Tampa General Hospital is announcing its appointment of Dr. David Swoboda to the newly established TGH Cancer Institute. Swoboda is a physician-scientist focused on evaluating new treatments for patients with hematologic malignancies, such as leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative disorders. Swoboda joins TGH Cancer Institute from Moffitt Cancer Center, where he served as chief fellow for hematology and oncology. He completed his postgraduate training as chief resident at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Over the past three years, Swoboda has authored several research publications either as first author or coauthor in top-tier scholarly journals. He has also presented his translational work at numerous conferences and professional meetings. Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, director of the TGH Cancer Institute, said Swoboda's passion for research will benefit TGH patients. "Being a physician-scientist myself, I understand the importance of supporting and mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists who will continue with the legacy of bringing novel therapies from the bench to the bedside of cancer patients," Sotomayor said. "I am thrilled that someone with the credentials of Dr. Swoboda, a highly productive and talented physician-scientist, who was actively being recruited by many centers, decided to join the TGH Cancer Institute." Tampa General's commitment to providing cutting-edge care for every patient drew Swoboda to our institution, he said. "During my fellowship, I had the opportunity to interact with many patients at Tampa General Hospital who had challenging clinical and social situations and at times, in the past, lacked the resources needed to get the best care possible," Swoboda said. "This inspired me to be part of the team here at the Cancer Institute to bring patients, many in underserved populations, the innovative approaches of care that they might not be able to receive otherwise." As a clinician, Swoboda will focus on acute myeloid leukemia, MDS and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Acute myeloid leukemia is a blood cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal immature blood cells. Myelodysplastic syndromes are a rare group of cancer disorders resulting from the failure of the bone marrow to produce blood cells. Myeloproliferative neoplasms are characterized by the overproduction of blood cells which may progress to cancer. Swoboda will provide personalized, multidisciplinary care to support patients' specific needs throughout their treatment, said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, senior vice president of oncology and network development at TGH. "His passion and commitment to discovering new ways to treat patients with hematologic malignancies will be a strong asset to the Cancer Institute," Schwarzberg said. "He joins a world-class team led by Dr. Sotomayor, an internationally renowned physician-scientist, that will help us achieve our vision of providing the safest and most innovative treatment and care for our patients with hematologic malignancies and their families." As a physician-scientist, Swoboda will help bring new areas of research to TGH Cancer Institute: He will also work together with the division of pediatric oncology at Tampa General to develop a program to further the treatment of cancers in adolescents and young adults. "Patients in their late teens and 20s fall into a gap between the available pediatric and adult care options and have their own particular set of needs," Swoboda said. "Applying the same approach as you would use for a 65-year-old patient may not have an optimum result." Swoboda earned his medical and Bachelor of Science degrees from Florida State University. He has previously participated in medical outreach programs, including mentoring high school students and bringing care to underserved communities in the U.S. and Guatemala. He is a member of the following associations: American Society of Hematology, Society for Hematology Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and American College of Physicians.