The Discovery
Karen M. Wilcox, DMSc, PA-C, and Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs at South University, was working in the Calvary Community Clinic. The clinic was established by the Mount Calvary SDA Church that provides free care to the underrepresented and uninsured of the Tampa Bay area. It is staffed entirely by volunteer clinicians, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The South University, Tampa Physician Assistant Program has had a partnership with the clinic since its inception in 2015. In June of 2024, when Wilcox was attending the clinic with her students, a patient pointed out an unusual bump on her collarbone. Wilcox performed an examination and determined the patient would need a CT scan to properly evaluate the area. The patient could only afford one of the scans, so Wilcox recommended her patient to Simon Med since she knew they had an affordable cash pay rate. The scan confirmed that the mass was likely cancer.Teaming Up
Having worked with SU since 2013, Wilcox had a network of connections she could use to help her patient. She reached out to Dave Johnson, PA-C, who has taught at the Tampa, PA program for several years and was the Keynote Speaker for the class of 2024. Additionally, he works as an Orthopedic Oncology PA with Moffit Cancer Center’s Sarcoma Program. The cost to the patient was always on Wilcox’s mind, and she sought the most affordable option. Thankfully, Moffit took on the patient’s case on 100% charity.Treatment and Recovery
A week later, the patient was seen by the oncology team at Moffit. She received a full laboratory workup, a bone biopsy, a tumor biopsy, a CT Scan of her chest and abdomen, and a full PET Scan. The final diagnosis was a rare B-cell Leukemia located only in the tumor. After three weeks of inpatient chemotherapy, her follow-up scans were clear of any signs of the tumor. After that, the patient entered outpatient chemotherapy once a month for five months. She is in remission and cancer free.Embodying “Living the Mission”
Wilcox not only ensured her patient received the correct treatment and diagnosis, she assured that the cost to the patient was always in mind. She referred the patient to different support services so that the patient would have help and support through her treatment. She also relied on the many individuals she’s come to know in both academic and professional settings and how they helped provide the best care for her patient.South University is proud of our faculty who balance their expertise with empathy and care.
