Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center

09/02/2026

Many people assume that only women can get breast cancer, but about one in a thousand men will be diagnosed each year. 🚨

While there is no clear cause of breast cancer in men, there are some risk factors, including:

▶️ Age
▶️ Family history
▶️ BRCA mutations
▶️ Radiation exposure
▶️ Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts caused by a hormone imbalance)
▶️ Obesity
▶️ Race
▶️ Liver disease and alcohol consumption
▶️ Klinefelter syndrome (when a male is born with an extra X chromosome)
▶️ Exposure to estrogen

"Men should be aware of any abnormal changes to their breasts and notify their physician of these symptoms right away," said Laila Samiian, MD, director of the Breast Program at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. "If a man is displaying symptoms of breast cancer, he should speak with his physician about getting a diagnostic mammogram with a breast ultrasound and should be seen by a breast specialist for evaluation."

Read more about the symptoms of breast cancer that men should never ignore: https://go.baptistjax.com/3SDLS3W

09/01/2026

For patients spending time in the hospital, a little comfort can go a long way. 🍪🧃

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center's Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant Unit has recently opened its doors at Baptist Health Jacksonville in Weaver Tower, creating additional space to care for patients receiving advanced cellular therapies.

To help make hospital stays a little easier, local student and Scouting America member Alex donated a snack station to the unit as part of his Eagle Scout Project. The station is stocked with a variety of snacks and refreshments for patients and their loved ones, offering a small but meaningful comfort during long days in the hospital. Alex also assembled care kits filled with thoughtful essentials, including blankets, lip balm, fragrance-free lotion, sleep masks, travel pillows and activities like crossword puzzles and word searches to help make hospital stays a little easier. His family additionally donated $2,500 to help keep the snack station stocked for future patients. 🧩 🧴

The donation holds special meaning for Alex, whose dad, Jake Gordon, is a Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center Development Council member and a cancer survivor. Inspired by his family’s experience, Alex chose to give back to other families facing their own cancer journeys.

The gift comes at an exciting time for Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. The opening of this unit marks a new chapter in our cellular therapy program, bringing autologous stem cell transplant care to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida for patients with blood cancers and building on the CAR T-cell therapy program launched in 2025.

Thank you, Alex and family, for helping bring a little extra comfort to patients and families as they navigate their cancer journeys. Your generosity will make a difference for those receiving care on the Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant Unit for years to come. 💙

Learn more about Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center's Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant Unit here: https://go.baptistjax.com/45OBj11

08/31/2026

For Tommy, ringing the bell wasn't just about finishing chemotherapy. 🛎️ It was about everything it took to get there. 💪

Tommy is an athlete, an engineer and a weightlifter who was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in January while living in California. He moved across the country to be treated with radiation therapy at Baptist Medical Center Clay and chemotherapy at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center.

For Tommy, staying active has always been a big part of his life — and he didn't want cancer treatment to change that. When he learned that Ron Landmann, MD, FACS, FASCRS, one of his care team members, also enjoyed outdoor activities, he knew he had found a doctor who understood that side of him. Tommy worked with Dr. Landmann and the rest of his care team to develop a plan that allowed him to keep exercising throughout treatment.

Radiation and chemo have been known to knock down even the strongest of people. Not Tommy. 💪

Since he began treatment, Tommy has hiked volcanoes, competed in grueling mountain races, and gone on adventures. He's lost 30lbs, but that hasn't stopped him from pushing himself and making the most of the life he wants to live.

Cancer may rob you of some of your strength, but so far, it's been no match for Tommy. He'll be back in September for his next scan, but until then, he's enjoying some time off with friends and family. 💙

"Overall, cancer treatment is consistently in the background of my day-to-day life, but I'm grateful that most days I'm still able to live it fully — spending time with friends and family, working as an engineer, running and weightlifting and traveling."

Congratulations, Tommy! Let's hear it for him in the comments! 🎉

08/27/2026

A new chapter in cancer care is here! 🏥💙

Today, we're to celebrate the opening of Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center's Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Baptist Health Jacksonville!

This dedicated 24-room inpatient unit in Weaver Tower expands our ability to care for patients undergoing cellular therapy and stem cell transplantations for hematological (blood) cancers and other complex cancer treatments.

From advanced air filtration and specialized respiratory rooms designed to help maintain a carefully controlled environment to a meditation room and family lounge, every detail was thoughtfully considered with patients in mind. The unit also incorporates design elements from Baptist MD Anderson’s flagship Palm Avenue location to create a familiar, welcoming environment. Four 65-inch screens throughout the hallways display 80 rotating art images, while a dedicated rehabilitation space with stationary bikes, a treadmill and weights encourages patients to stay active during recovery.

This specialized program was established with a generous endowment by grateful patients Patricia and Bob Paquette.

“Patients receiving these lifesaving treatments often require specialized inpatient monitoring and care,” said LeeAnn Mengel, RN, MBA, CMPE, FACHE, vice president and administrator at Baptist MD Anderson. “Every aspect of this new unit reflects thoughtful, patient-informed design geared towards safety, comfort and the best possible outcomes.”

But the significance of this new unit goes beyond the space itself.

We launched our stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy program in 2025 with CAR T cell therapy – a form of immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own T cells (white blood cells) to better recognize and eliminate cancer cells. CAR T cell therapy has shown promise in treating blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, offering renewed hope to patients who have not responded to traditional treatments. We aim to introduce stem cell transplantations in the summer of 2027, which will only further our mission to bring the best of cancer care to our area.

“Launching the program has expanded access to treatments that were once available only at select academic medical centers,” said Bill Putnam, MD, FACS, medical director of Baptist MD Anderson. “The opening of our dedicated floor builds on that progress, increasing our capacity to serve more patients while reinforcing our commitment to providing advanced cancer care close to home.”

This milestone represents another important step toward our goal of bringing innovative, life-saving cancer care to the patients and families we serve.

Learn more about this groundbreaking therapy and treatment: https://go.baptistjax.com/45OBj11

08/21/2026

🚨 Attention, Floridians! 🚨

Melanoma is not only the deadliest form of skin cancer, but it's also the most common in men and women. Most people keep tabs on moles on their arms or legs, but skin cancer can also grow in the hard-to-see areas of the body you’re likely not checking.

“Even though people may know melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is connected with sun exposure (UV radiation), areas of the body rarely exposed to the sun are still at risk,” said Konstantinos Chouliaras, MD, a board-certified surgical oncologist at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Some of the hidden areas where melanoma can be found include:

📍 Palms
📍 Soles of the feet
📍 Nail beds
📍 Ge****ls
📍 Scalp

This deadly cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color. It’s crucial to take every opportunity to inspect your skin and identify lesions that may be changing. Moles with any of the characteristics below should be a red flag to seek advice from your dermatologist or primary care physician:

📍 Irregular shape
📍 Poorly defined border
📍 Changing color (turns dark brown or black)
📍 Increasing size
📍 Bleeding or itching

People are especially susceptible to skin cancer living in Florida, so it's important to stay informed. You can read more about how to avoid and detect melanoma on our latest Juice story: https://go.baptistjax.com/4zza9ca

08/18/2026

We know getting a mammogram can feel a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first one. 💗

Knowing what to expect can make the experience feel a lot less overwhelming. Follow along as we walk you through a mammogram, from check-in to the screening itself. A mammogram only takes a few minutes, and it could save your life.

When you're ready to book your mammogram, you can easily schedule an appointment online at a location near you: https://go.baptistjax.com/4gew6Ej.

08/14/2026

How about some good news heading into the weekend? 💙 🔔

There's nothing we love more than hearing a patient ring the bell to symbolize the end of their treatment, except maybe when we're able to let them know they're officially in remission. Emily rang the bell earlier this year, and as of June, she is in remission with no evidence of disease (NED) after being treated for triple-positive breast cancer.

Emily is a mother of two, and the road to recovery wasn't easy. She went through 18 weeks of chemotherapy, one surgery, six weeks of radiation, many weeks of immunotherapy, and a lot of time away from her kids. Here's the thing about Emily, though. She is one tough mother, and she says she's learned how to appreciate the little everyday moments. She also has a message for the world that we wanted to share with you:

“Here I come, stronger, better, smarter, healthier and as resilient as ever.”

Congratulations, Emily! 💙 🔔

08/05/2026

One family's cancer journey has inspired a gift that will bring comfort for countless others. 🎁

After watching his dad, Jake Gordon, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center Development Council member, celebrate five years cancer-free, local student and Scouting America member Alex knew he wanted to give back to families facing similar challenges. As part of his Eagle Scout Project, Alex donated a snack station to the Oncology and Cellular Therapy unit at Baptist Health Jacksonville, which will be opening in September.

🍪🧃 Stocked with a variety of snacks, the station will offer patients and their loved ones a little extra comfort during inpatient hospital stays. Alex also assembled care kits filled with thoughtful essentials - including deodorant, fragrance-free lotion, lip balm, blankets, sleep masks, travel pillows and activities like crossword puzzles and word searches - to help make long hospital days a little easier.

To help keep the snack station stocked for future patients and families, Alex and his family also presented a generous $2,500 donation.

Thank you, Alex, for your compassion, generosity and commitment to making a difference. Your thoughtful gift will support patients and families for years to come. 💙

08/05/2026

When you partner with the No. 1 hospital in the nation for cancer care, it changes what's possible for patients close to home.

Congratulations to UT MD Anderson Cancer Center on once again being recognized among the nation's best for cancer care by U.S. News and World Report. Through our partnership, patients in Northeast Florida have access to nationally recognized expertise, innovative treatments and a comprehensive approach to cancer care right here in our community.

UT MD Anderson is proud to be named #1 in the nation for cancer care in U.S. News and World Report's “Best Hospitals” ranking.

We are deeply grateful to our teammates, trainees, students, donors, volunteers, advocates, and the patients and families who place their trust in us. This recognition reflects what we can achieve together as we continue advancing our mission to end cancer.

“This ranking is a tremendous honor, and it reflects our unwavering commitment to continue making progress in our mission to end cancer,” says Dr. Peter WT Pisters, president of UT MD Anderson.

Read more: http://spr.ly/6187BE7xgx

07/30/2026

🩻 From a chemo chair to the top of Machu Picchu! ⛰️

We like to say we elevate cancer care, but Louise Eberle took it to new heights by traveling to Peru and scaling Machu Picchu after recovering from her second surgery. Machu Picchu is hard to climb for anyone, but Louise’s journey was especially difficult.

A retired elementary school teacher, Louise thought she was going to Baptist Medical Center Nassau for a routine checkup. This turned out to be no routine appointment as Louise was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and immediately referred to Ron Landmann, MD, FACS, section chief of Colon & Re**al Surgery at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, who recommended heavy doses of chemotherapy, radiation and ultimately, surgery.

Louise, who redefines anyone’s notion of toughness, braved all three treatments and celebrated her recovery with a trip down the Nile River in Egypt. She even scaled the inside of a great pyramid and descended a steep staircase to visit King Tut’s tomb.

During routine follow-up scans, Dr. Ron Landmann continued monitoring a spot on one of her lungs. When it began to grow, he referred Louise to his colleague, Dr. David J. Hall, a thoracic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive approaches on our team, who confirmed it was lung cancer.

Dr. Hall was able to remove less than 5% of her lung tissue using cutting-edge technology we utilize at our cancer center in Jacksonville.

“The surgery was performed using an FDA-approved fluorescent imaging agent that helps locate and remove cancerous lesions when viewed under a specialized camera known as a thoracoscope, which is inserted in the chest via a small incision,” says Dr. Hall.

You really can’t keep a retired elementary school teacher down, and after her second successful surgery, Louise wanted to check Machu Picchu off her list. If you think she didn’t make it to the top, then you don’t know Louise! 💙

“When I stood up there on Machu Picchu and took in that gorgeous view, I thought about my faith and said a prayer thanking God for everything in my life, including Drs. Landmann and Hall.”

Louise was so grateful for Drs. Landmann and Hall, she sent back a bag of Peruvian coffee for both her surgeons, with notes they’ll cherish forever. ☕ She says that both doctors encouraged her to take her dreams to new heights and make the climb.

“My surgeons were so positive I could do it and were my cheerleaders from the start,” she said. “I’ve felt God’s hand in every step of my cancer journey, and I really believe God was guiding their hands as well.”

Louise is the kind of person who reminds you why you work in health care, and we hope she inspires you as much as she did our team. Let’s hear it for her in the comments!

Read more about Louise's inspiring story here:
https://go.baptistjax.com/4x7hPjz