We are committed to the overall well-being of cancer patients, and in 2023, we implemented and continued several impactful initiatives to improve the health of fire investigators and address disparities in Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. Through our proprietary programs, collaborative approaches and leadership in research, we made significant progress that will help shape our future trajectory.
Sylvester partnered with the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) to launch an online reporting tool. This tool is designed to address health and safety risks faced by fire investigators by enabling them to document accidents and near misses. The initiative is aimed at improving conditions for these vital first responders and follows the successful implementation of a similar database with firefighters.
In 2014, a collaboration began as an experiment. The Florida Academic Cancer Center Alliance (FACCA), led by Sylvester, Moffitt Cancer Center, and the University of Florida Health Cancer Center, was formed to enhance cancer care for the state of Florida. Almost a decade later, the 2023 FACCA Retreat took place in Miami, and the alliance continues to leverage statewide resources and pursue groundbreaking research initiatives to address Florida’s significant cancer burden. Pictured (from left), FACCA co-directors: Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester; Jonathan D. Licht, M.D., director of the University of Florida Health Cancer Center; and John Cleveland, Ph.D., director of Moffitt Cancer Center.
Sylvester hosted the International Agency for Research on Cancer and Pan-American Health Organization’s Caribbean public health workshop on cancer screening. The conference’s goal was to enhance awareness, accessibility and impact of cancer screening programs in the Caribbean. Cancer and public health leaders from eight Caribbean countries, along with World Health Organization agencies, attended. Pictured: Mauricio Maza, M.D., M.P.H., regional advisor for cancer prevention and control at the Pan American Health Organization.
Researchers and clinicians from Sylvester played leading roles at the 2023 African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3) conference in Kenya, which aimed to improve awareness and outcomes of cancer in populations of African-descent. Sylvester’s involvement underscored its commitment to global cancer research, particularly in gynecological, breast and liver cancers, showcasing its dedication to serving vulnerable populations internationally.