Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Welcomes New Late-Phase Medical Director

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute has announced the appointment of Dr. Amanda Olson as the new Medical Director of Late-Phase Research, effective July 15, 2026. This role is aimed at expanding access to innovative clinical trials and advancing cancer care throughout Florida.

Dr. Olson is dual board-certified in hematology and internal medicine and specializes in stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies, and the treatment of blood cancers. Her research interests encompass CART therapy, cord blood transplantation, cellular immunotherapy, viral-specific T-cell therapies, and mesenchymal stem cell therapies.

She has extensive experience as a principal investigator and co-investigator on various clinical trials and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Olson received her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She later pursued a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Before joining Florida Cancer Specialists, she was on the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

FCS Chief Executive Officer Ryan Ciarrocchi emphasized the organization’s commitment to expanding its clinical research capabilities to shape the future of cancer care. The institute is noted for providing access to over 150 clinical trials across its 30 clinics in Florida, which are organized into four distinct phases to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new therapies.

With her expertise, Dr. Olson aims to further enhance FCS's mission of offering world-class cancer treatment and innovative options for patients closer to home. The organization has been at the forefront of oncology care for over 40 years, conducting more than 180 active clinical trials each year.