Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Dr. Stephen D. Nimer is leading the fight against cancer with compassion
As the director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Stephen D. Nimer is spearheading a world-class facility in our city focused on high-quality compassionate care, advanced cancer research and community involvement.
VITALS
66. An inspirational teacher changed Nimer’s life and now he’s dedicated his life to doing the same for others. While attending the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Nimer’s professor Dr. Janet D. Rowley, who was a pioneer in the field of leukemia and received both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and President’s National Medal of Science, made an unimaginable impression on him. He credits her for his decision to specialize in leukemia. After more than three decades, Nimer continues to be a renowned hematologist and leukemia expert, professor, cancer researcher, author and overall champion for the fight against cancer.
DISTINGUISHED DESIGNATION
When he moved from New York eight years ago to take on the position as director, his goal was to make the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center a preeminent hospital for his patients, employees and the community. As the only university-based cancer center in the region, he felt an obligation to us to ensure it was among the leading hospitals in the nation. As the largest funder of cancer research in the world, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation was crucial.
Nimer and his team created an advisory board, recruited outstanding researchers and physicians from different disciplines to collaborate on research and care, and completed a 1,300-page application among other requirements. After more than six years of work, the NCI awarded Sylvester the designation last year. Nimer celebrated by presenting his team with championship rings.
Our community now is home to the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Florida, the second in the state and the 71st in the nation. With that designation Sylvester will be awarded a $10 million NCI grant plus $1 million from the state over the next five years. This will allow the center to expand its cancer research, philanthropy and recruitment, and offer us treatments only available at NCI-designated cancer centers.
But Nimer’s work is never done. He continues to curate relevant and targeted community programs to battle cancer including a Little Haiti-based program to educate residents about cervical cancer and a Hispanic-focused program to overcome obesity, a risk factor for cancer.
PANDEMIC PLAN
As a patient-centric hospital, the level of compassion and caring is monumental for Nimer. He proudly states a patient once told him she felt like she’d been enveloped in a cocoon of love while at the hospital. And that level of protection and comfort is what is driving the center’s response to the coronavirus.
“We’ve been here through the pandemic to take care of our patients and that’s very important to us.”
For anyone even suspected of infection, they have been physically separated on a different floor and patients are tested before every procedure, Nimer adds. The hospital has suspended valet, prohibited visitors and installed physical barriers at check in. His team has also been helping to set up drive-thru testing centers, including the Marlins Park location.
“There has not been an outbreak in the US within a hospital. It’s safe to come in. It’s safe to be taken care of by our doctors. We’re making all efforts to make sure everyone feels comfortable.”
FASHION ICON
Nimer is the inaugural holder of the Oscar de la Renta endowed chair in cancer research. When de la Renta was diagnosed with cancer, it was Nimer who cared for the illustrious designer. “He’s the most amazing human being I’ve ever met. We developed a fantastic relationship.”
AVID CYCLIST
Since moving to Miami, Nimer has explored the city on his bike and covers almost 100 miles every weekend. Even during his downtime he’s striving to help others. Biking to his favorite spot, Key Biscayne, is the best way to train for the Dolphins Cancer Challenge he rides in every year.
BEST PART OF THE JOB
“I get to help people all the time.”