Ocala’s Cancer Care Strengthens as Florida Cancer Specialists Adds Dr. Sarath Katragadda

A new oncologist joins Ocala and what that means for patients

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute has added Sarath Katragadda, MD to its Ocala locations. The announcement is a straightforward expansion of local cancer-care capacity: patients in Marion County will soon have another oncology specialist available for consultations, treatment planning and follow-up care. For a community that relies on regional clinics for timely access to chemotherapy, supportive care and coordination with surgeons and radiation teams, one more physician can shorten wait times and make scheduling easier.

The hire does not signal a major new center or an overhaul of services. Instead, it’s a practical move by a large regional oncology group to shore up clinic staffing and respond to steady local demand. For patients, the immediate effect should be smoother access to routine oncology visits, second opinions and ongoing treatment supervision.

Who Dr. Sarath Katragadda is and what he brings

Dr. Sarath Katragadda (MD) joins Florida Cancer Specialists as a medical oncologist. According to the practice announcement, he completed medical training and specialized fellowship work in oncology before joining clinical practice. He is experienced in managing both solid tumors and hematologic (blood) cancers and has participated in clinical research and multidisciplinary care teams.

FCS says Dr. Katragadda holds board certification in his specialty and is comfortable treating a broad range of adult cancers, with particular attention to individualized treatment plans and supportive care. His background includes outpatient clinic work, inpatient consults and collaboration with surgeons, radiologists and palliative care providers, giving him a rounded clinical profile for community oncology practice.

How local care in Marion County will change

Adding Dr. Katragadda increases the number of physicians available to see patients in Ocala. That matters in two simple ways: first, it helps reduce appointment bottlenecks for new patients who need a prompt diagnostic visit or a second opinion. Second, it spreads follow-up and treatment responsibilities across more providers, which can speed up scheduling for chemotherapy slots and urgent symptom visits.

Patients can also expect an additional physician to participate in tumor boards and case reviews, which often brings fresh perspectives on complex cases. For primary care doctors and local hospitals, the hire should ease referral flows: when one clinic’s schedule is full, another provider at the same practice can pick up new consults faster. Overall, this is an incremental but meaningful boost to local cancer-care capacity.

Where Dr. Katragadda will see patients and how to make appointments

Dr. Katragadda will see patients at Florida Cancer Specialists’ Ocala locations. The practice advises patients to use its established scheduling channels—online appointment tools, the clinic phone lines, or referrals from a primary care doctor or hospital—to request visits. Insurance acceptance, prior-authorization rules and hospital affiliations will follow the same policies that govern other FCS providers in the region.

If you have an upcoming appointment and prefer to see Dr. Katragadda specifically, mention that when you call; if you are seeking a faster slot, clinic staff can offer the next available provider. New patients should be ready with recent medical records, imaging and medication lists to help the intake process go smoothly.

Leadership view, next steps and media contacts

In announcing the hire, Florida Cancer Specialists described the addition as part of its ongoing effort to make oncology care more accessible across central Florida. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Katragadda to our Ocala team and look forward to the care he will provide our patients,” the group said.

The practice indicated Dr. Katragadda will begin seeing patients at Ocala clinics in the coming weeks and that community outreach—patient information sessions and coordination with local hospitals—may follow as schedules permit. For media or referral questions, the practice directs callers to its main Ocala clinic phone lines and administrative offices for the most up-to-date scheduling and contact details.

Sources

• prnewswire.com