https://flcancer.com/articles/florida-cancer-specialists-research-institute-announces-executive-leadership-appointment/

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has appointed a new medical director of the Clinical Research Program, Gustavo Fonseca, MD, FACP, the organization announced, in a press release.¹

Fonseca will oversee the involvement in the phase 1 through 4 clinical trials being conducted at the over 36 FCS locations in Florida. He is taking over for James Reeves, Jr., MD, who now works on FCS’s research division with a focus on leveraging OncoTrials, Genospace, and other precision medicine platforms.¹

Over the past 5 years, the majority of approved new cancer drugs for use in the United States were studied in clinical trials that FCS Institute participated in. Additionally, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) awarded the organization the national Clinical Trial Participation Award.¹

Fonseca received his medical degree from the Universidad del Notre School of Medicine in Columbia. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial hospital at the University of Miami. While at the university, he served a fourth year as adjunct faculty and as chief resident of a program responsible for 150 patients.¹

Fonseca then completed fellowships in oncology and hematology at MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas and Methodist Hospital at Baylor School of Medicine in Houston. He has been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Journal, and Blood. While serving in his role, he will also continue to care for patients at the FCS clinics in Citrus County, Florida.¹

“FCS is on the forefront of cancer discoveries,” said FCS Chief Executive Officer Nathan H. Walcker.“ Dr. Fonseca will ensure that we further strengthen our capabilities to expand the body of knowledge in oncology and the development of many promising new drugs and therapies for our patients.”¹

Fonseca has joined a growing team at FCS, as the organization recently announced that oncologists, including medical oncologist Vitor Pastorini, MD, radiation oncologist Neha Sharma, MD, gynecologic oncologist Jessica Stine, MD, and hematologist/oncologist Ashok Bapat, MD, joined the organization in locations across the state.^2-5 

FCS also brought on a new human resources executive, Charmion Patton, EdD, PHR, who will serve as the new senior vice president of People and Culture who oversees the development of cultural initiatives that will engage the FCS workforce as well as recruitment and organization design. These initiatives will also extend to performance management, total rewards, and human resource compliance. Patton will also serve as FCS’S diversity and inclusion officer.⁶

Patton has 20 years of leadership-level experience at nation and international organizations. Most recently before joining FCS she served as the director of human recourses for Planned Parenthood of Northern California and the vice president of human resources and education at Dignity Health-Mercy Medical Center. She has professional certifications in Professional Human Resources, Benefits Administration, and collective barging negotiations. She also actively volunteers and assists the American Heart Association and the American Arthritis Foundation.

"What stood out to us about Dr. Patton is that she is an inspiring and transformational leader,” said Joyce Nelson, FCS chief administrative officer in a press release. “She is well suited to lead our strategic initiatives that will further strengthen our culture and team member experience and cultivate expanded opportunities for personal and professional growth.”

_References:

_{1. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute appoints Gustavo Fonseca, MD, FACP as medical director of clinical research program. News release. FCS for the press. April 1, 2021. Accessed April 9, 2021. https://bit.ly/3d1eexp}

_{2. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute welcomes medical oncologist Vitor Pastorini, MD. News release. FCS for the press. February 3, 2021. Accessed April 9, 2021. https://bit.ly/3uEj1uB.}

_{3. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute welcomes Dr. Neha Sharma. News release. FCS for the press. February 2, 2021. Accessed April 9, 2021. https://bit.ly/39YAoP3}

_{4. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute welcomes Dr. Jessica Stine. News release. FCS for the press. January 12, 2021. Accessed April 9, 2021. https://bit.ly/3t71R8G.}

_{5. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute welcomes Dr. Ashok Bapat. News release. FCS for the press. January 5, 2021. Accessed April 9, 2021. https://bit.ly/3a1w6pQ.}

_{6. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Welcomes Dr. Charmion Patton as senior vice president. News release. FCS for the press. April 5, 2021. Accessed April 9, 2021. https://bit.ly/3dRDF3t}