PEP Talks with 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.

In this episode Rick Salomone shares with us how he had some critical decisions to make concerning his care, and how grateful he was for the support and respect of his Moffitt team that empowered him to choose a treatment path that aligned with his beliefs, priorities and lifestyle. 

In this episode you hear from Jasmine Cherry, one of our Moffitt team members. After seeing her grandparents both treated at Moffitt, she was excited to get her dream job at age 24 working in the cell therapy lab. Little did she know that just one year later, she would be diagnosed with leukemia and need those very same cell therapies to survive. She shares with us how her experience has deepened her connection and commitment to excellence in her work.

In this podcast, you will hear from Heidi Bragg, who is a survivor of 3 different types of cancer, including a cardiac sarcoma that brought her to Moffitt. For Heidi, the combination of the clinical expertise, partnership with her treatment team, inclusion of her family, and being cared for as a human being – created a very strong bond that fortified her for the fight of her life. Heidi has her own podcast about her journey with cancer - you can find it at https://www.lifecanceretc.com/.

Elizabeth Olson opens up about the fear she felt when her mother was diagnosed with recurrent jaw cancer and faced extensive treatment.  Olson also worried about how she and her wife would be treated at Moffitt. Would this be a safe space where she would feel accepted and supported?

Seeing the Pride flag at the hospital on the day of her mother’s surgery reassured her, allowing her to focus on supporting her mother through recovery.

 We also hear from Laura Bosselman, manager of patient experience and chair of Moffitt Unity, who discusses the importance of displaying inclusive symbols like the Pride flag at Moffitt

For Patient Experience Week, some of Moffitt Cancer Center’s leaders share their passion for patient care and gratitude for our dedicated staff. Moffitt’s heart begins and ends with the patients and that is the unifying force that guides all team members. It’s this definitive culture, characterized by compassion, empathy, and patient-centered care, that makes Moffitt a truly special place for both patients and staff alike.