Physician Leadership


William N. Harwin, M.D.
President

Since founding Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute in 1984, William N. Harwin, M.D. has guided the organization to become the largest independent oncology/hematology practice in the United States. An innovator and leader in the field of medical oncology/hematology, Dr. Harwin is a highly respected clinician and researcher, as well as medical administrator. He has a strong emotional connection to FCS and a never-ending drive to ensuring that the company is best in class in every aspect of oncology, as well as providing compassionate, state-of-the-art care with a focus on participation in clinical trials and physician education. He is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology, and is a former President of Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO). Each year for the past decade, Dr. Harwin has been named one of the top doctors in Southwest Florida by "Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctors."

Now in his 30th year of medical practice, Dr. Harwin has served as a principal investigator in numerous clinical trials. In 1997, he performed the first peripheral stem cell transplant in Lee County for a woman with breast cancer. He is a noted lecturer and has published in leading medical journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology. He currently serves on the Editorial Board for the Oncology Business Review (OBR).

After receiving his bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and his medical degree (M.D.) from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Dr. Harwin completed his internship and residency in internal medicine, and a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Miami.

Although he treats all forms of cancer, Dr. Harwin has a special interest in lymphomas, gastrointestinal cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer, having lost his wife to the disease in 2006. His personal experience with cancer has given him a unique perspective, both as an oncologist and as a single father who is devoted to his four adult children and one grandchild.

A biking enthusiast and an avid runner, Dr. Harwin has completed marathons in New York City, Chicago, Honolulu and many other locations. Having lost his wife to cancer, he is also a passionate participant in the Pan Mass Challenge – a nearly 200 mile annual biking event that raises money for breast cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. In November 2012, Dr. Harwin participated in the 170-mile Dolphins Cycling Challenge, where his fundraising efforts resulted in more than $38,000, helping the DCC present a check for $2,200,000 to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami.

View Dr. Harwin’s Physician Profile page.
Stephen V. Orman, M.D. - Assistant Managing Partner; Director, Executive Board

Dr. Stephen Orman has been caring for patients in the greater Venice Community for over 25 years. Dr. Orman received his BA in Biology from St. Louis University and his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis, TN. He completed his Internship and Residency training in Internal Medicine and fulfilled a research year in Immunology at the University of Tennessee. He received his Fellowship in Hematology & Oncology at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC. In 1985, he joined Venice Oncology Associates which later merged with Florida Cancer Specialists in 1998. During his career, Dr. Orman has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology, on the Board of Directors of Venice Hospital and Bon Secours Hospital in Venice, and as Chief of Staff of Venice Hospital. He has been the recipient of the “Hope Award” for the Wellness Community of Southwest Florida. Dr. Orman has participated as a sub-investigator in nearly 100 clinical research trials and has been published in Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, Archives of Internal Medicine, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Stephen Orman serves as Assistant Managing Partner and a Member of the Board of Directors of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. As Assistant Managing Partner, he provides leadership in the strategic growth and development of the organization. He has led several key initiatives pertaining to construction of a centralized Administration Building, practice expansion, and regional business development. In 2010, Dr. Orman initiated the formation of the Florida Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization that was established by the physicians of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. In his spare time, Dr. Orman enjoys golfing, traveling, and all sports. He can often be found cheering for the Tampa Bay Rays or Buccaneers. He is married and the proud father of three young gentlemen.

View Dr. Orman’s Physician Profile page.
Mark S. Rubin, M.D. – Director, Executive Board

Dr. Mark Rubin combines more than 15 years of clinical experience with an internationally-recognized track record in cancer research. As a Research Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering from 1991 to 1994, Dr. Rubin worked alongside Dr. John Mendelsohn, now President of MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this role, Dr. Rubin helped to pioneer the concept of targeted anti-receptor therapy as a new form of cancer treatment. Antibody 225, known commercially as Erbitux, was approved by the FDA in 2004 for colon cancer, and in 2006 for head and neck cancer. Dr. Rubin received his BA from Harvard University, and his M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City. He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at UCLA Medical Center. Following his Fellowship at Sloan Kettering, Dr. Rubin joined Florida Cancer Specialists in 1994. His work has been widely published in such prestigious publications as the Journal of Cell Physiology and the American Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Rubin has been principal investigator or sub-investigator on nearly 100 clinical research trials, and is a sought-after national and international lecturer. He is consistently named one of the top doctors in Southwest Florida by Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors.

View Dr. Rubin’s Physician Profile page.
Lowell L. Hart, M.D. - Scientific Director of Clinical Research, Director, Drug Development Program

As the Director of Research & Drug Development, Dr. Lowell Hart oversees the extensive clinical trial and research program at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. As a strategic research site for the largest community-based clinical trial organization in the nation, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute can offer our patients more access to clinical trials than any other oncology practice, hospital, or academic medical center program in the state of Florida. Dr. Hart graduated with a B.A. from Columbia University in New York City, and completed his Internship and Residency at the University of Miami Hospitals. His Fellowship in Hematology & Oncology was with Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, and he later served at Duke as an Attending Physician in the Breast Oncology Clinic. Dr. Hart joined Florida Cancer Specialists in 1989 and was named Research Director in 2003. He has served as a sub-investigator or principal investigator in well over 100 clinical trials, and has extensively published the results of his research. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology, and currently serves on the Editorial Board of Oncology & Biotech News. In 2010 and 2011, Dr. Hart was a guest participant at the International Breast Cancer Conference in Paris, France.

View Dr. Hart’s Physician Profile page.
Robert C. Whorf, M.D.
Director of Research Operations

Robert Whorf, M.D. is responsible for developing and implementing new methods for expanding research protocols and managing the daily operations of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute's research program. His recent accomplishments include increasing participation in clinical trials, and expanding the FCS Drug Development Unit, which now has locations in Fort Myers and Sarasota. Dr. Whorf has served as Principal and Sub-Investigator on almost 60 clinical research trials and has published in such prestigious periodicals as the Journal of Clinical Oncology and the Journal of Neurobiology.

Board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology, Dr. Whorf has been named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Top Doctors in the United States in its 2011 guide. He joined FCS in 2004. After earning his bachelor's degree at University of New Hampshire, Dr. Whorf took part in graduate studies in neuroscience at Harvard University. He earned his medical degree (M.D.) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, where he was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society. He remained at the University of Rochester for his internship and medical residency and completed his fellowship in medical oncology at Yale University School of Medicine.

View Dr. Whorf’s Physician Profile page.

2013 Executive Board