Six weeks into my journey at AdventHealth, I’ve been both energized and humbled by what I’ve encountered. From the size and scale of the hospital system to the innovation in cancer care and research, here are 12 things that have stood out to me in a big way:
1. AdventHealth Orlando Is Massive — and Exceptionally Well-Run
I quickly discovered that AdventHealth Orlando is one of the largest staffed hospitals in the country, with over 2,200 beds. It’s frequently cited as the largest teaching hospital in the U.S. by bed count. Google it! When you’re rounding across this expansive campus, it feels like four hospitals in one — and that scale brings both clinical complexity and immense opportunity.
2. Inpatient Oncology Here Is Intense — and Incredibly Rewarding
Though I only cover inpatient care a few days a month, it’s been some of the busiest and most complex call I’ve had in years. Patients present with rare, high-acuity conditions, and the clinical teams — especially the APPs — are some of the most efficient and compassionate I’ve worked with.
3. The Warmth and Collegiality Are Real
From the moment I arrived, I felt genuinely welcomed. Across both inpatient and outpatient settings, the culture here is not only deeply collegial but also grounded in a shared spiritual commitment. Everyone is united around the mission of delivering excellent, empathetic care — and that creates a truly meaningful environment to practice medicine. My personal philosophy has always been to combine the best of innovative therapies with deeply compassionate care, while encouraging patients to prioritize nutrition, physical activity, and a hopeful mindset. The rest, appropriately, is in God’s hands. And in many ways, this place feels quietly but profoundly aligned with that vision.
4. Research Momentum Is Strong
Within just weeks, we’ve made great strides in developing trials in Malignant Melanoma and Soft Tissue Sarcoma. The clinical research team is outstanding, and we’re pushing forward with studies involving targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and intratumoral approaches. This is a place where research is woven into the clinical fabric.
5. We’re Building a Multidisciplinary Sarcoma & Cutaneous Oncology Program
I’m excited to be part of a growing team that includes expert surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists dedicated to rare tumors. Collaborating with leaders like Dr. Ryan Durfee, Dr. Peter Peng, and Dr. Sawh-Martinez, we’re laying the foundation for a program that brings high-level, coordinated care to patients with complex cancers.
6. Education Is a Core Commitment
AdventHealth is launching a Hematology/Oncology Fellowship soon led by Dr Parkin and Dr Tejani, and I’m thrilled to be part of that journey. With a strong base of medical students and residents already here, this program will add another layer of depth to our academic mission.
7. Advanced Therapies Are Taking Off
We’re actively ramping up tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy with Iovance and expanding our intratumoral therapy capabilities with agents like T-VEC and RP1. Our Celebration-based Phase I team led by Dr Guru Sonpavde is also enrolling patients in first-in-human trials, opening up crucial new options for those with limited standard treatments.
8. The Molecular Tumor Board Is a Game Changer
We have a robust molecular tumor board led by Dr Tarek Mehkail that integrates insights from genomic platforms like Caris, Guardian and even our own in-house NGS path team to translate complex alterations into actionable treatment plans. It’s an incredible resource for personalized cancer care.
9. Care Happens Closer to Home
AdventHealth’s regional infusion centers let patients receive high-quality treatment without traveling far. This hub-and-spoke model allows us to deliver continuity of care partnering with our colleagues across Central Florida while keeping disease focused specialists involved. Patients love when they have potential very different medical oncologist seeing them in addition to an entire team of disease focused sub-specialist.
10. Big Things Are Still to Come
Perhaps most exciting of all: a new cancer building is in the works. This sister tower to the Rothman Orthopaedic Innovation Tower will bring all of oncology under one roof — clinics, infusion, radiation, research, and supportive services. It’s a bold move toward fully integrated care, and I’m proud to be part of its future hopefully to be completed in the next 2-3 years. Breaking ground soon!
11. Advancing Ocular Melanoma Care
One of the most exciting and unique capabilities we’re building is in ocular melanoma care. We’re collaborating with a dedicated ophthalmologist-oncologist Dr Jose Echegaray and radiation oncologist Dr Ravi Shridhar, we have the infrastructure to treat both primary and metastatic ocular-uveal melanoma disease. That includes access to bispecifics and percutaneous hepatic perfusion led by our interventional radiology team — making us one of the few centers in Florida offering this comprehensive approach. Patients no longer need to travel out of region for cutting-edge care.
12. A Teaser: Something Big Is Coming
While I can’t share details just yet, there’s a major plans in the works that could elevate our research and clinical impact in a transformative way. Stay tuned — there’s more growth and innovation ahead.
Six weeks in, I haven’t had a single boring day. Every day brings something new to learn, build, or collaborate on. I’m incredibly grateful for the progress, the partnerships, and the people — and I’m also finding ways to maintain personal and family balance in the midst of this growth. I’m excited for what’s ahead!
Dr. Sajeve Thomas is a distinguished medical professional and a compassionate guide in the field of oncology. With over a decade of dedicated experience as a board-certified medical oncologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Thomas has become a trusted expert in the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal conditions. He brings a wealth of expertise to the complex and challenging world of oncology.
Disclosures:
Dr. Thomas serves as a speaker for Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Merck, Ipsen, Natera, Immunocore, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, and SpringWorks. He also receives industry grants in support of numerous clinical trials.