VALDOSTA – SGMC Health Pearlman Cancer Center has been named the Leading Business of the Week by the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber recognized Pearlman for its ongoing dedication to delivering advanced and compassionate cancer care throughout the South Georgia and North Florida regions, according to a press release from the organization. This recognition highlights the center's role in providing critical health services to local residents and those in surrounding areas.
Opened in 1995, Pearlman Cancer Center has developed into a significant regional leader in cancer care over nearly three decades. The center provides a broad spectrum of services to its patients, as stated by the Chamber. These include medical oncology, infusion therapy, and radiation therapy, which are foundational treatments for many cancer types. Beyond these, Pearlman offers clinical trials, giving patients access to cutting-edge research and new treatment approaches. Genetic services are also available, helping to personalize care based on individual patient profiles. The center further supports patients through dedicated patient navigation, assisting them through their treatment journey, and comprehensive survivorship programming, which focuses on life after active treatment.
The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce also noted Pearlman’s continuous efforts to expand access to innovative treatments. This includes therapies such as immunotherapy, which harnesses the body's own immune system to fight cancer, and precision medicine, which tailors treatments to a patient's specific genetic makeup of their cancer. Advanced radiation therapies are also part of their expanded offerings, ensuring that patients receive the most current and effective forms of radiation treatment.
In the past year alone, SGMC Health Pearlman Cancer Center introduced Jelmyto therapy, a specific treatment option for certain types of upper tract urothelial cancer. The center also expanded its clinical services to meet the growing needs of the community and developed a comprehensive treatment plan specifically for patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease, addressing a critical health need within the region. These additions reflect the center's proactive approach to enhancing patient care and broadening its treatment capabilities.
Looking ahead, the Chamber’s press release outlined plans for future innovations at the Pearlman Cancer Center. The center intends to introduce scalp cooling technology, a method used to help reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, which can significantly improve patient quality of life. Additionally, BiTE therapies are planned for introduction, representing another advanced form of immunotherapy. The center also aims to continue expanding personalized treatment options, leveraging unique cancer biomarkers to tailor therapies more precisely to each patient's cancer, further advancing individualized care.
Nicole Centers, administrative director of oncology and director of the Pearlman Cancer Center, emphasized the human element of their work. “What makes Pearlman special is the people,” Centers said. She highlighted that patients at the center deserve individualized care provided by a team committed to supporting them from their initial visit through every stage of their treatment journey.
SGMC Pearlman Comprehensive Cancer Center is conveniently located at 209 Pendleton Drive in Valdosta. For those seeking information or services, the center can be reached by phone at (229) 259-4600.
