Baptist MD Anderson opens a cellular therapy and stem cell transplant inpatient unit

Baptist Health continues to expand access to advanced cancer treatments in Northeast Florida and beyond with the opening of Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. The dedicated inpatient unit in the Weaver Tower supports patients undergoing cellular therapy and stem cell transplantations for hematological (blood) cancers and other complex cancer treatments.

“Patients receiving these lifesaving treatments often require specialized inpatient monitoring and care,” said LeeAnn Mengel, RN, MBA, CMPE, FACHE, vice president and administrator at Baptist MD Anderson. “Every aspect of this new unit reflects thoughtful, patient-informed design geared towards safety, comfort and the best possible outcomes.”

Advanced therapies, specialized care

As stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy temporarily suppress the immune system – and can require inpatient stays ranging from several days to several weeks depending on the treatment – the unit was designed with added protections to support patients during their treatment and recovery. These measures include handwashing and temperature check stations at the entrance to the unit, plus additional handwashing stations located throughout the floor, an advanced ventilation and air filtration system and special respiratory rooms with antechambers to help maintain a carefully controlled environment.

The Baptist MD Anderson Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant Unit includes 24 patient rooms – many with river views – and integrates design elements from Baptist MD Anderson’s flagship Palm Avenue location, creating a familiar and welcoming environment for patients and their families. There is a meditation room for patients and their loved ones as well as a family lounge with a kitchen and dining area. To encourage movement during recovery, the hallways feature four 65-inch screens displaying 80 rotating art images. A rehabilitation space with stationary bikes, a treadmill and weights are available for patients who need more intensive exercise.

This specialized program was established with a generous endowment by grateful patients Patricia and Bob Paquette. Located in the Weaver Tower, the fully renovated unit creates a dedicated floor for inpatient oncology care, bringing specialized cancer services together in one convenient location.

The future of cancer care

“I believe the next decade will bring some of the most significant breakthroughs in cellular therapy,” said medical oncologist Tom Dragovich, MD, PhD, head of the division of cancer medicine at Baptist MD Anderson. “Dedicated units like this provide the specialized environment needed to deliver these advanced therapies today while supporting the discoveries that will shape the future of cancer care.”

Hematologist oncologist Maxim Norkin, MD, PhD, medical director of the Robert L. and Patricia A. Paquette Cellular Therapy Program, said: “We have seen remarkable advances in treatments for blood cancers in recent years. Patients with cancers that are difficult to treat or were once thought of as incurable are living longer with an improved quality of life and we are proud to offer these life-changing treatments to our patients.”

Baptist MD Anderson launched its stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy program in 2025 with CAR T cell therapy – a form of immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own T cells (white blood cells) to better recognize and eliminate cancer cells. During treatment, T cells are collected from the patient’s blood, modified in a lab to attack cancer cells and returned to the body. CAR T cell therapy has shown promise in treating blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, offering renewed hope to patients who have not responded to traditional treatments.

The program aims to introduce stem transplantations in summer 2027. This treatment restores the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells and rebuild its immune system. The treatment involves replacing damaged or diseased stem cells found in peripheral blood or bone marrow with healthy ones from either the patient or a donor.

“Launching the program has expanded access to treatments that were once available only at select academic medical centers,” said Bill Putnam, MD, FACS, medical director of Baptist MD Anderson. “The opening of our dedicated floor builds on that progress, increasing our capacity to serve more patients while reinforcing our commitment to providing advanced cancer care close to home.”

For more information on the Robert L. and Patricia A. Paquette Cellular Therapy Program at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, please visit: BaptistMDAnderson.com/CellularTherapy.