The University of Florida Health system has received the American Cancer Society’s Health System Partner of the Year award for its innovative, collaborative approaches to enhancing cancer prevention, early detection, medical care and quality of life for cancer patients and their families. It’s one of only two health systems nationwide that received the honor.
Serving more than 3.4 million people across a large, mostly rural area of North Central Florida with high rates of advanced-stage cancers and an older population, the National Cancer Institute-designated UF Health Cancer Institute exemplifies the society’s mission. Through research, education and community outreach, the Cancer Institute works to break down barriers to care and accelerate discoveries to make a meaningful impact.
UF Health has been a committed ACS partner for decades. The team actively refers patients to the society’s support programs, such as the cancer helpline, cancer.org, Road To Recovery, Extended Stay America, ACS EMPOWER, EverYou, Cancer Survivors Network, ACS LION and ACS CARES, helping more than 12,000 people in 2025 alone.
Last year, the cancer society awarded UF Health $185,000 in transportation and lodging assistance grants, ensuring that financially vulnerable and rural patients could access cancer treatment. Since 2020, ACS has provided more than $600,000 in such grants, which help patients at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, UF Health Jacksonville and UF Health Shands Hospital.
“ACS support has made a tremendous impact, easing the burden on our patients and families as they face the challenges of a cancer diagnosis,” said Stephen Motew, M.D., M.H.A., FACS, UF Health president and system CEO. “We are honored to be part of such a dedicated organization.”
The American Cancer Society has invested more than $1.8 million in research funding at UF Health, and investigators at the Cancer Institute work with ACS researchers to pursue new discoveries.
“Support from ACS has allowed us to gain a better understanding of the molecular drivers of cancer, develop new therapies and create precision prevention strategies,” said Thomas George, M.D., FACP, FASCO, the institute’s interim director. “We’re actively moving these discoveries into the clinic to meet the needs of those we are honored to serve.”
“Support from ACS has allowed us to gain a better understanding of the molecular drivers of cancer, develop new therapies and create precision prevention strategies.”
UF Health and the cancer society work closely to increase screening rates for breast, colorectal, lung and cervical cancers, as well as promote participation in research studies and reduce cancer disparities through studies like VOICES of Black Women. One ACS-funded initiative led by Dianne Goede, M.D., aims to increase cervical cancer screening rates for patients at general internal medicine practices in Gainesville. UF Health also works with the organization on tobacco cessation, nutrition, physical activity and vaccination initiatives.
The Cancer Institute’s Mobile Cancer Screening Connector exemplifies the ACS mission by removing barriers to health care access like transportation and time away from work. In 2025 alone, it provided 529 people with navigation help for medical or social services, connected 127 to relevant research studies and screened 504 people for breast and colorectal cancer.
The Cancer Institute’s collaboration with ACS includes innovation in patient education tools. Researchers are working to launch a novel “information prescription” to reduce cancer misinformation.
UF Health participates in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Men Wear Pink and other ACS fundraisers. The health system also supports the Great American Smokeout and National Lung Cancer Screening Day.
Advancements in cancer care happen one person at a time and begin on the ground in the communities where we live, said Arif Kamal, M.D., M.B.A., M.H.S., chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society.
“Together, we’re ensuring more people impacted by cancer and their families have access to preventive programs, educational resources and high-quality, timely cancer care,” Kamal said.
