Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Appoints Dr. Amanda Olson as Medical Director of Late-Phase Research
核心洞察
Amanda Olson, MD, a dual board-certified hematologist and cellular therapy specialist, has joined Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (搜索) as Medical Director of Late-Phase Research, effective July 15, 2026.
Dr. Olson brings extensive expertise in CAR T therapy, stem cell transplantation, and cellular immunotherapy, having previously served on the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and served as principal investigator on numerous clinical trials evaluating innovative cellular therapies.
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (搜索), LLC (FCS) has appointed Amanda Olson, MD as its new Medical Director of Late-Phase Research, the statewide practice announced on July 15, 2026. Dr. Olson, a nationally recognized physician-scientist specializing in cellular therapies and stem cell transplantation, will lead FCS's late-phase clinical research efforts from the organization's Fort Myers, Florida base.
"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Olson to our practice," said David Wenk, MD, FCS assistant managing physician. "Highly-respected among her peers, Dr. Olson instills a strong commitment to excellence in quality and integrity through her approach to patient care and scientific research."
Clinical and Research Expertise
Dr. Olson is dual board-certified in hematology and internal medicine, with specialized expertise in stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies, and the treatment of blood cancers (搜索). Her clinical and research interests span CAR T therapy, cord blood transplantation, cellular immunotherapy for malignant and autoimmune conditions, viral-specific T-cell therapies, mesenchymal stem cell therapies, and regenerative medicine. She also focuses on improving outcomes for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Prior to joining FCS, Dr. Olson served on the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she held multiple academic leadership roles and participated on national committees and advisory boards dedicated to advancing cellular therapy and transplantation research. She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and finished a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
A Distinguished Record in Clinical Investigation
As a physician-scientist, Dr. Olson has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on numerous clinical trials evaluating innovative cellular therapies, stem cell transplantation approaches, and regenerative medicine applications. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, reviews, and books, and has presented research at leading national and international conferences, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, and the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy.
Dr. Olson maintains active membership in the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, the Society of Hematologic Oncology, and the International Society for Cellular Therapy. She has received numerous honors recognizing her clinical excellence, research contributions, and academic leadership.
Strengthening Late-Phase Research Capabilities
FCS Chief Executive Officer Ryan Ciarrocchi emphasized the strategic importance of the appointment: "At FCS, we remain committed to expanding and advancing our clinical research capabilities. Through our continued pursuit of innovative therapies, we are helping shape the future standard of care for many types of cancer, offering patients new hope and improved outcomes. Advancing research is one of the most meaningful ways we can serve our patients and communities."
FCS provides ongoing access to more than 150 clinical trials within 30 FCS clinics and two Drug Development Units focused on early-phase research across Florida. Late-phase trials, which Dr. Olson will now oversee, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of new drugs and therapies in treating different types of cancer to improve upon the standard of care.
Through its robust clinical research program conducted in partnership with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (搜索) (SCRI) and a suite of independent site management programs, FCS conducts more than 180 active clinical trials annually. Many of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA in the United States over the past decade were accessible to patients at FCS through clinical trial participation before receiving regulatory approval.
For more than 40 years, FCS has positioned itself as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country, delivering tailored treatment plans that leverage cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes.