Cancer Care Closer to Home Restores Balance to Patient's Life

For residents of Homestead and the surrounding South Florida communities, access to oncology and non-oncology infusion services doesn’t necessarily mean having to drive north to Miami anymore. Baptist Health Homestead Hospital recently began offering oncology infusion services to patients who are under the care of a Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute physician.

“Now, patients in our area who need oncology infusion therapy can access world-class care closer to home,” says Ana Cabrera, Chief Nursing Officer at Homestead Hospital. “In our infusion suite, patients will find the same compassionate, high-quality care the Institute is known for, right here in their community.”

(Watch now: Cancer patients like Cyndi Fischer who live or work in southern Miami-Dade and need oncology infusion therapy can access world-class care closer to home at Homestead Hospital, says chief nursing officer Ana Cabrera. Video by Dylan Kyle.)

A Dual Perspective as Both Patient and Employee

One cancer patient who enthusiastically welcomed the opening of Homestead Hospital’s infusion suite is someone who knows the hospital better than most. Cyndi Fischer, who lives in Homestead with her husband, has worked there for nearly 33 years and is the hospital’s infection control nurse.

Ms. Fischer’s family’s experience with cancer began six years ago when her husband was diagnosed and treated at Miami Cancer Institute. After his successful treatment and remission, the family faced another serious health challenge last October. Although she had had no symptoms, an annual physical exam revealed something that led to Ms. Fischer being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which had metastasized to her liver.

Her care team at Miami Cancer Institute initially planned for surgery but the course of treatment shifted to chemotherapy and she was started on aggressive infusion treatments. For Ms. Fischer, this meant an exhausting schedule of oncology infusion care services. Although grateful for the high level of care at the Institute, the commute from Homestead was a significant physical and emotional drain during an already challenging time.

“I had to take five different medications. One ran on a pump that I kept with me but I’d have to drive to Miami Cancer Institute every two days to have the device disconnected from my port, then drive back home to Homestead again,” Ms. Fischer recalls. On a good day, the drive could take 30 minutes each way but during rush hour a one-way trip alone could take nearly two hours. “I was exhausted by the time I got home.”

That changed in May 2025 when oncology infusion services became available at Homestead Hospital. Now, Ms. Fischer could transition her treatment to the very place she had worked for more than 30 years.

“When I learned I could get my treatments here, I was elated,” says Ms. Fischer, adding that she was spending a lot of time and money driving back and forth from Homestead to Miami Cancer Institute. “I was spending hours on the road every week, not to mention the tolls and the gas – which were adding up,” she admits.  

Core Oncology Treatments Available at Homestead Hospital

The hospital is equipped to administer the latest cancer-fighting therapies. Key services include:

• Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy: Specially trained, oncology-certified nurses administer these complex medications, following precise protocols to ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy. The center is designed to manage these powerful drugs in a controlled setting.

• Supportive Infusions: Cancer treatment often requires additional support to manage side effects and maintain overall health. The center provides vital services such as blood transfusions, iron therapy, hydration and other infusions to manage symptoms and improve quality of life during treatment.

A Patient-Centered Environment Designed for Comfort

Receiving infusion therapy can be a lengthy process, often requiring patients to spend several hours at the facility for each session, Ana Cabrera acknowledges. “Homestead Hospital’s infusion services reflect a commitment to creating a healing, rather than purely clinical, atmosphere.”

Key features of the infusion suite at Homestead Hospital include:

• Comfortable and Private Treatment Bays: Each patient has their own space furnished with a comfortable reclining chair, allowing them to rest during long sessions. Many bays feature doors, giving patients the choice between privacy or the opportunity to connect with others.

• Entertainment and Connectivity: To help pass the time, patients have access to personal tablets for web browsing or can watch television and movies. These amenities provide a welcome distraction and a sense of normalcy.

• Ease of Access: The suite’s location within Homestead Hospital includes convenient parking at the front of the building, minimizing the physical strain on patients who may be feeling weak or fatigued from their treatments.

• A Compassionate Staff: Beyond the physical amenities, the human element is central to the patient experience. The infusion nurses and pharmacists are not only experts in oncology care but are also dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized attention. They monitor patients closely, offer encouragement, and work to make the experience as relaxed as possible.

Staying Connected with the Work and People She Loves

For Ms. Fischer, the supportive environment in Homestead Hospital’s infusion suite has been invaluable. And receiving care from familiar faces in her own community has made a world of difference. “The experience is exactly what I envisioned,” she shares. “The timing of my appointments is more flexible because of the location.”

Ms. Fischer says she works from home during treatment weeks and is onsite at the hospital when she is not receiving care. This flexibility is crucial for her mental and emotional well-being, she says, allowing her to remain connected to the work and the people she loves. And the convenience of receiving care close to home has eased the logistical strain of frequent visits to Miami Cancer Institute, she adds.

Ms. Fischer’s cancer journey has had an impact that extends beyond her own treatment. By sharing her story openly with her colleagues at Homestead Hospital, she has inspired some of them to schedule their own preventative screenings. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder that cancer can affect anyone and that early detection is critical.

Accessing Oncology Infusion Care at Homestead Hospital

Oncology infusion services at Homestead Hospital are available exclusively to patients under the care of a Miami Cancer Institute physician. The team coordinates directly with the patient’s oncologist to manage the treatment plan.

Ms. Fischer is doing well. Her journey underscores a simple but vital truth: for patients like Ms. Fischer who are facing a difficult diagnosis, having the right care in the right place can make all the difference in their outcome – and their quality of life.