Awareness of Colorectal Cancer, Clinical Trial for Prenatal Screenings

First Physicians Group | June 2026

SMH HealthCasts with FPG Gastroenterologist, Stephen Kucera, MD

The Rise in Colorectal Cancer Awareness

HealthCasts Season 8, Episode 9 with FPG Gastroenterologist, Stephen Kucera, MD

Colorectal cancer is making headlines — and increasingly, it’s affecting younger adults. Stephen Kucera, MD, FPG Gastroenterologist and Medical Director of Gastroenterology and Endoscopic Oncology at SMH, explains why diagnoses are rising in people under 55, what may be driving the trend, and the warning signs no one should ignore. He also shares the lifesaving steps everyone can take to reduce their risk, including when to get screened and how early detection can make all the difference.

Sarasota Memorial Launches Clinical Trial to Improve Prenatal Screening for Expecting Families

Pregnant women on the Suncoast have the opportunity to take part in a global study aimed at improving prenatal screening and helping families understand their baby’s health before birth.

Led locally by obstetrician-gynecologist Larry Matsumoto, MD, FACOG, of Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group, in conjunction with Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute, the ADVANCE study uses a single maternal blood sample to screen both mother and baby for a range of genetic conditions that can affect growth, development, and health, with results provided in one clear report.

FPG Surgical Oncologists Move to Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion

Patients will be seen in the new FPG Surgical Oncology Clinics at the Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion office at 1941 Waldemere Street, 6th Floor, Sarasota, FL 34239, as of Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Self-parking is available in the Floyd Garage off Waldemere Street with valet parking available off the Floyd Street entrance.

For information about practices affected by the move, please click below:

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Sarasota Memorial Welcomes Interventional Radiologists to First Physicians Group Care Network

First Physicians Group was pleased to recently welcome a distinguished team of board certified diagnostic and interventional radiologists, further expanding access to advanced, minimally invasive care across our award-winning healthcare system.

First Physicians Group Interventional Radiology offers a broad range of advanced, minimally invasive procedures in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Using real-time imaging techniques such as live x-ray, ultrasound, and CT, interventional radiologists guide small catheters and instruments through blood vessels or natural pathways to precisely target disease. These image-guided therapies typically result in less pain, lower risk, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to traditional surgical approaches.

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First Physicians Group of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

FPGAministration@smh.com | firstphysiciansgroup.com

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