Tampa General Hospital Launches Center for Lymphatic Research

The one-year Interdisciplinary Center Preparation Grant will fund the formal development of the center, known as CLEAR, through USF Health. By uniting engineers, clinicians, and researchers, the initiative intends to develop diagnostic tools and advanced surgical treatments for conditions like lymphedema, which often affects breast cancer survivors. The project serves as a strategic precursor to securing larger National Institutes of Health grants, including T32 training programs.

Dr. Nicholas J. Panetta, who leads the Plastic Surgery Institute at Tampa General, will oversee the integration of this research with the hospital's existing robotic surgical program. The institution recently achieved a milestone by completing its 100th robotic microsurgical case, positioning itself as a leader in the field. Dr. Jerome Breslin, a key architect of the initiative, noted that the center will prioritize translating academic discoveries into patient-centered care, ultimately aiming to establish the Tampa Bay region as a national hub for lymphatic science.