FCS Advances Access to Clinical Trials for Rural Communities Through State Grant Initiative

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute continues to expand its commitment to equitable cancer care through the “Bringing Cancer Research to Rural Floridians” initiative. Supported by funding from the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program’s Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, the initiative is already making measurable progress in addressing long-standing disparities in clinical trial access across rural regions of the state.

The grant was awarded to support several key priorities: increasing awareness of clinical trials, launching a dedicated research patient navigator program, and improving clinical trial enrollment among rural populations served by FCS, with a focus on ten late-phase research locations.

“National data highlights a significant gap, just 4.1% of patients in community oncology settings participate in clinical trials, compared to 21.6% at larger academic centers,” said Kim Vigal, MHA, FCS vice president of clinical research. “Rural patients, who often experience poorer outcomes and have fewer resources, are the least likely to enroll. By expanding access within these communities, we’re not only increasing participation, we’re helping improve patients’ chances of survival.”

Early Progress and Community Engagement

“National data highlights a significant gap, just 4.1% of patients in community oncology settings participate in clinical trials, compared to 21.6% at larger academic centers. Rural patients, who often experience poorer outcomes and have fewer resources, are the least likely to enroll. By expanding access within these communities, we’re not only increasing participation, we’re helping improve patients’ chances of survival.”

Since the grant’s implementation, FCS has taken meaningful steps to better understand and address the needs of rural Floridians. The team has hosted 13 community town halls, engaging a total of 283 participants, to raise awareness and foster open dialogue about clinical trials and cancer research opportunities.

In addition, five focus groups involving 30 participants were conducted to assess community knowledge, identify barriers to participation, and better understand the unique challenges faced by rural patients. Insights gathered from these discussions are helping shape targeted strategies to improve education, trust, and accessibility.

To further enhance communication and support, FCS has launched a new callback system powered by a digital form. This tool enables rural patients and caregivers to easily submit questions related to clinical research and receive timely, personalized responses from the FCS team, removing a critical barrier to information and engagement.

Driving Innovation in Cancer Care Across Florida

The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund was established to transform cancer care statewide by accelerating research, improving treatment delivery models, and removing systemic barriers to innovation. The program supports Florida-based institutions that demonstrate forward-thinking approaches in three key areas: enhancing access to cancer data, expanding the sharing of treatment best practices, and eliminating obstacles that delay the adoption of life-saving technologies.

By fostering collaboration among oncologists, researchers, and care teams, the program is helping position Florida as a national leader in cancer innovation while ensuring that patients, regardless of where they live, have access to cutting-edge care.

Through initiatives like “Bringing Cancer Research to Rural Floridians,” FCS is not only advancing clinical research but also reinforcing its mission to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care to every community it serves. As the program continues to evolve, FCS remains focused on closing the gap in clinical trial participation and improving outcomes for rural cancer patients across the state.