Dr. Thomas J. Rutherford

Dr. Thomas J. Rutherford leads Gynecologic Oncology at Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute and directs the Division of Gynecology and Oncology at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, orchestrating a continuously communicating network of pelvic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, genetic counselors, dietitians, pharmacists, social-work navigators, and bilingual nurse coordinators. A pre-clinic sunrise board reviews contrast-enhanced MRI, PET-CT fusion, germline and tumor sequencing, and real-time symptom dashboards, then locks operating-room timing, systemic-therapy sequencing, lymph-sparing precautions, fertility referrals, and psychosocial resources in a single decisive session. Dedicated coordinators compress scans, tele-visits, and insurance approvals into one call, sparing families repeat drives across I-4. A secure portal posts infusion calendars, laboratory trends, wound-care videos, and direct-message links, returning answers within hours rather than days. From the first visit, individuals see that every recommendation reflects consensus among specialists who meet daily on their behalf, transforming uncertainty into a clear, compassionate roadmap.

 

Dr. Rutherford’s translational laboratory interrogates homologous-recombination deficiency, tumor-infiltrating-lymphocyte phenotypes, and stromal exosome signaling as determinants of platinum sensitivity in ovarian and uterine cancers. His flagship REimagine trial pairs a potent PARP inhibitor with PD-1 blockade for HR-deficient metastatic ovarian tumors, embedding serial circulating-tumor-DNA assays, multiplex immunofluorescence, and spatial-transcriptomic mapping that expose resistant clones weeks before imaging changes. Parallel organoid and humanized-mouse models evaluate folate-receptor-alpha antibody–drug conjugates and ATR inhibition, with single-cell RNA readouts guiding dose refinements. Tissue, plasma, and radiomic data stream into the Total Cancer Care biobank, linking genomic, epigenomic, and metabolomic signatures to longitudinal outcomes while powering bedside dashboards clinicians query during counseling. Participants obtain therapies synchronized with their tumor biology while advancing strategies that echo worldwide.

 

Innovation, education, and community outreach advance in tandem. Dr. Rutherford mentors fellows through a curriculum uniting robotic-surgery simulation, bioinformatics sprints, and narrative-medicine workshops so technical rigor never eclipses empathy. Quarterly Women’s Cancer Forums—streamed in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole—cover genetic testing, surgical options, ostomy care, financial navigation, and caregiver resilience, reaching urban clinics, coastal retirement centers, and rural citrus-belt churches. Partnerships with county health departments stage bilingual HPV-vaccination drives and risk-assessment fairs where late-stage presentation is common. Policy advocacy within national societies secures coverage for tumor-agnostic sequencing and tele-oncology second opinions, proving that discovery, training, and equity can progress together. Families recognize a physician who invents, teaches, and listens with equal commitment.