The Pediatric Solid Tumor Program at UF Health provides expert, personalized care for children, adolescents, and young adults (AYA) with solid tumors—including sarcomas, kidney, liver, adrenal, and other rare cancers. Our patients benefit from both individualized attention and the collective expertise of a dedicated multidisciplinary team. With integrated services such as the AYA Cancer Program, Vascular Anomalies Program, and Cancer Predisposition Program, we offer comprehensive, cutting-edge care all in one place.
Our Team
Our team includes the following members:
- Pediatric Solid Tumor Specialists –pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) solid tumor oncologists are physicians who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and researching cancers that form as solid cancerous masses in children, teenagers, and young adults. Our work includes creating personalized treatment plans that may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials, while also collaborating with specialists across many disciplines. Beyond medical care, we guide patients and families through the complex journey of cancer treatment, focusing on long-term survivorship, emotional support, and quality of life.
- Surgical & Radiation Experts – Orthopedic oncologists, pediatric surgeons, and radiation oncologists, including access to advanced proton therapy technology.
- Molecular Pathologists – Specialists who use cutting-edge molecular testing to identify each tumor’s biology and potential treatment targets.
- Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program (add link to separate page) – Dedicated care for patients ages 15–39, with a specialized medical team, oncofertility expert, nurse navigator, and social worker. Supported by a Teen Cancer America grant, this program will soon include an AYA Life Coach/Counselor. It bridges pediatric and adult oncology to provide seamless care, access to clinical trials, and cutting-edge therapies for this vulnerable age group.
- Vascular Anomaly Program (add link to separate page) Vascular anomalies represent a broad spectrum of conditions resulting from abnormal development of arteries, veins, capillaries, or lymphatic vessels. At UF Health, our multidisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Program leverages advanced imaging and molecular diagnostics to provide precise characterization and tailored treatment strategies. We integrate expertise across oncology, dermatology, plastic surgery, interventional radiology, and other specialties to deliver comprehensive, coordinated care for these rare and complex disorders.
- Cancer Predisposition Program (add link to separate page) Some children are born with a difference in their genes that put them at risk of getting cancer. That means they are genetically predisposed to getting cancer. Our Cancer Predisposition Program is here for these children. We perform genetic testing to discover if your child is at risk for getting cancer. If your child is at risk, we screen them regularly to detect any cancer. Our goal is to find a tumor as early as possible, because a small tumor is much easier to treat than a large one. Each member of our staff is dedicated to providing your family the most skilled and compassionate care, including emotional counseling. We will support your family’s well-being in every way.
- Quality of Life Program (add link to separate page) – Focused on supporting patients and families to live as fully as possible, despite the challenges of a serious diagnosis.
- Comprehensive Support Team – Nurses, clinical pharmacists, social workers, nutritionists, physical and occupational therapists, and child life specialists who provide essential day-to-day care and support.
Joanne Lagmay M.D.
Lauren E Staley ARNP
Brian Stover M.D.
Kristina M Panagiotopoulos APRN
Dr. Joanne Lagmay, Director of the Pediatric Solid Tumor Program, leads translational collaborations across UF, working with experts in Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, and Radiation Oncology to develop novel therapies for children and adolescents/young adults (AYAs) with sarcoma. She also partners with the Pediatric Cancer Immunotherapy Initiative, led by Dr. Elias Sayour (M.D., Ph.D.) and Dr. John Ligon (M.D.), in the NIH R01-funded immunotherapy laboratory at UF to advance early-phase trials for recurrent pediatric solid tumors. This collaboration resulted in the first-in-human trial of an RNA nanoparticle vaccine for osteosarcoma. In addition, she is working with Dr. Paul Castillo to develop CAR-T cell therapy for osteosarcoma.
Through both local and national partnerships, the Pediatric Solid Tumor Program has successfully enrolled patients in national cooperative studies as well as novel early-phase clinical trials. These research efforts ensure that patients and families have access not only to expert, state-of-the-art care, but also to promising new therapies and clinical trial options.