Care Coordinators

When treatments seem like a complex maze, Cancer Care Coordinators guide you through

In your journey toward wellness, your care plan may call for multiple treatments, in more than one setting, over an extended period of time, and with multiple health care providers.

Add that complexity to the stress of the disease itself, and it's easy to see how you can feel lost and possibly overwhelmed. The Florida Hospital Cancer Institute steps in to offer you a "GPS navigator" to lead you along your pathway of care: a Cancer Care Coordinator.

What is a Cancer Care Coordinator?

The FHCI's comprehensive approach to your treatment seeks to deliver care in a logical, connected and timely manner, so that both your medical and personal needs are met. That's sometimes difficult for you as the patient or even your family member to achieve alone. The Cancer Care Coordinator's role is to advocate for quality care by:

  • Strengthening information sharing: making sure vital links are there between care providers
  • Improving delivery of treatments: ensuring the care plan is delivered in a complementary and timely manner
  • Building relationships: being there as a "hand to hold" during this time, and keeping links between past, current and future care

As the link between you, your doctor and others on the team, these professionals ensure that you have the education, support and resources you need to make informed choices. Services are tailored to your individual needs, including:

  • Comprehensive nursing assessment and support
  • Rapid scheduling of all appointments and consultations
  • Assistance with coordination of providers and procedures
  • Symptom management
  • Ongoing education and disease information
  • Assistance with second opinions
  • Access to the FHCI's clinical trials

Meet our Care Coordinators

Brain and Spinal Cancer
Denise Cochran, MSN, ARNP-BC
(407) 303-5909
Denise.Cochran@flhosp.org

Breast Cancer
Thresa Holden, RN, OCN
(407) 303-2514
Thresa.Holden@flhosp.org

Colorectal Cancer
Thelma Brooks, RN, BSN
(407) 303-5981
Thelma.Brooks@flhosp.org

Head and Neck Cancer
Laurie Amodeo, MSN, ARNP, AOCNP
(407) 303-7132
Laurie.Amodeo@flhosp.org

Lung/Esophageal Cancer
Brenda Rzeszutko, MSN, ARNP-BC
Brenda.Rzeszutko@flhosp.org

Urologic Cancer
Laura Forleo, RN, BSN
(407) 303-2982
Laura.Forleo@flhosp.org

Celebration Care Coordinator (all cancers)
Cristiane Silva, RN
(407) 303-4255
Cristiane.Silva@flhosp.org

Schedule an appointment with your Cancer Care Coordinator by email or phone, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. EST. If you do not see a care coordinator listed for your particular type of cancer, call (407) 303-5999 and someone will assist you.

Your free call will be answered by a specially trained oncology health care professional and remain confidential. No insurance authorization or referral is necessary. If calling after hours, please leave a detailed message, and you will be contacted within one business day.

 

ind Us - Map and Directions

Cancer Programs

Bone Marrow Transplant

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
The Florida Center for Cellular Therapy is Central Florida's first and only comprehensive bone marrow transplant center for both adult and pediatric patients. Since 1996, we've performed more than 350 blood and marrow transplants.

Brain & Spinal Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
When it comes to detecting, diagnosing and treating brain or spinal tumors, the Florida Hospital Brain and Spinal Cancer Program has a reputation for excellence in treating both pediatric and adult brain and spinal tumors.

Breast Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
At the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute (FHCI) we are pushing the very boundaries of breast cancer care by offering you the very latest technologies, state-of-the-art treatments and the highest level of professional care available in the region.

Colorectal Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
Our Colorectal Cancer Team includes experts who are among the best and most experienced physicians in the country. Our nurses, board-certified physicians and other cancer specialists are leading the way in developing advanced therapies for the continued fight against colorectal cancer.

Gynecologic Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
The Gynecologic Oncology Center is nationally recognized as a leader in cancer research and treatment. Our team of distinguished and skilled oncologists is not only well regarded in the region, but nationally and internationally as well for their expertise, knowledge and professionalism.

Head & Neck Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
The Head and Neck Cancer Program at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute includes Central Florida's largest group of otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat surgeons), as well as radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and other specialists.

Lung/Esophageal Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
The Florida Hospital Thoracic Cancer Program is comprised of the country’s leading experts in the field who provide a multidisciplinary approach for the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic cancers.

Pediatric Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
At the forefront of cancer and blood diseases, Florida Hospital for Children believes that your child deserves the very best care available. The Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood is proud to be one of the few Children’s Oncology Group (COG) programs in central Florida.

Urology Cancer

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
The Florida Hospital Urologic Cancer Program’s multidisciplinary team collaborates to create customized treatment plans for each individual patient which include more comprehensive services, state-of-the-art technology and leading research than any other program in the area.