Navigating cancer is never easy—especially without the right information and support. When Kerrijo first came to Moffitt, her care team immediately recognized her deep need for knowledge. Just as importantly, they understood that her family needed to be part of the journey too.

At Moffitt, our patient-and-family-centered care ensures that both patients and their loved ones receive timely, accurate information and are invited to actively participate in care and decision-making. Because healing is stronger when no one walks the path alone.

How Kerrijo’s cancer journey began with misdiagnoses and uncertainty, and the powerful moment she received her diagnosis — alone.

The impact of compassionate communication from Dr. Saeed and the staff, and how Moffit's team made space for her family to be informed and involved. 

Kerrijo's advice to healthcare providers: empathy, small conversations, and treating people like family matter deeply.

Small acts—like asking if a caregiver has questions—can leave a lifelong impact.

Moffitt’s family-centered approach transforms the cancer experience by keeping support systems informed and involved.

Clear communication, empathy, and proactive education build trust and reduce fear.

The lasting power of including caregivers in care—because “they don’t have cancer, but they have cancer.”

Access the show transcript, notes, tools, and resources at: https://www.moffitt.org/patient-family/pep-talks/kerrijo/

Caught in a Florida downpour, two nurse navigators found more than just shelter—they found a reminder of what makes Moffitt special.
After a long day in the Neuro-oncology and GYN clinics, Ralene Simpkins and Elvy Mendez were bracing for a soggy sprint to their cars when an unexpected act of kindness changed everything. A fellow Moffitt team member—someone they didn’t even know—offered them a ride, turning a stormy evening into a heartwarming moment of connection.

🎧 Tune in to hear Ralene and Elvy share how that simple gesture reaffirmed their sense of belonging, and why Moffitt truly feels like home.

This month, we are thrilled to celebrate a truly special milestone—the 20th anniversary of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). To mark this occasion, we are honored to welcome a very special guest, Judge Mark Pizzo, one of the original members of PFAC. Judge Pizzo will share his remarkable journey, from his distinguished career in law to his family's profound connection with Moffitt. His invaluable contributions have shaped the culture of Moffitt in countless ways through his dedicated role on PFAC. Join us as we reflect on the past two decades and look forward to the future with gratitude and hope.

In this episode, Joel passionately underscores the importance of learning about and referring patients to the available resources that can profoundly benefit them, just as they did for him. Joel's story is a powerful reminder that when we come together as a team to provide the right support tailored to each patient's specific needs, it can be life-sustaining. In Joel's own words, it was a gamechanger!

Let's listen closely and take Joel's experience to heart, ensuring that every patient receives the support they need to thrive.

In this episode you will hear from Greg Feldman, one of our pancreatic cancer survivors, and his medical provider, Physician Assistant Tiffany Valone. 

Greg and Tiffany share with us their insights into how their 9-year relationship, built on trust, care and respect, provided the support he needed to sustain him throughout his long cancer journey at Moffitt.

In this episode you will hear from Alexander Dojcinovski, a supervisor in our experimental cell therapy department. He was a patient here before he was a team member, having endured a long and arduous treatment regimen for stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As he finished his treatment and was thinking of his future, he was so impacted and inspired by the care he received at Moffitt that he knew he wanted to be part of our mission, bringing hope to patients. 

Randy Isaacson shares how his wife Lynn’s 162-day journey with Acute Myeloid Leukemia did not define their beautiful 34 years together even though she died of the disease at 55 years old. He tells us how important the nurses were to creating comfort for Lynn and himself during their long stays in the hospital and how he now volunteers in multiple ways at Moffitt, for Lynn.

This podcast highlights the work of Lloyd Goldstein, a Certified Music Practitioner in our Arts in Medicine Program. Lloyd shares his journey from a professional base violin player in the Florida Orchestra to a Moffitt volunteer, to one of our Artists in Residence. Through being present and meeting patients where they are, Lloyd uses his music to help patients transcend their pain and suffering, give their families comfort and a sense of peace, and in the process builds a bridge between hearts.

At just 18 years old, while most young adults were starting college and navigating the challenges of young adulthood, Moffitt team member, Jackie Beaushaw was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma and undergoing cancer treatment at Moffitt. For someone so young, this experience could have been incredibly frightening, isolating, and overwhelming. And it was. But Jackie’s journey took a pivotal turn when she came across a flyer for the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) program at Moffitt. 

This past year, we've had the privilege of hearing our patients share their heartfelt stories, showcasing incredible courage and resilience during challenging times. We're deeply inspired by the respect, care, and compassion demonstrated by our team members—it's often the smallest acts that make the most significant difference in the lives of our patients and their families. We invite you to take a moment to glimpse these impactful stories, reflecting the true essence of our Promise and the care we strive to provide every day.