Cocoa Beach, FL (September 11, 2002) Cape Canaveral Hospital is now affiliated with the University of Florida (UF) Health Science Center / Shands HealthCare.

The affiliation will provide continuing medical education for physicians as well as inservice education for the Cancer Care Unit's nursing staff through UF's oncology medical programs. Additionally, the hospital will participate in clinical trials sponsored by UF/Shands Healthcare.

"The affiliation will bring access to a higher level of cancer care within our local community," said Cape Canaveral Hospital President Chris Kennedy. "We will have access to and participate in cutting-edge clinical trials and studies on cancer through the new UF/Shands agreement," said Jan McCoy, RN, MS, and Cape Canaveral Hospital's vice president of Patient Care Services.

UF/Shands oncologists will be available for patient consultation by referral, but all care will be coordinated with patients' local oncologists. Cape Canaveral Hospital's cancer program is accredited by the American College of Surgeon's Commission on Cancer.