For patients from out-of-town, there are many places to stay for either a short or a long stay; Gainesville offers a wide variety of hotels, motels and bed & breakfast inns. Please contact us for a current listing of lodgings that offer discounts to our Shands patients. Some also offer shuttle service to our facility for your convenience. You can also visit the Alachua County Visitors Bureau online at www.VisitGainesville.com for a listing of hotels.
If you plan to stay overnight in Gainesville, we suggest that you make a reservation beforehand if possible. Many sports events and conventions take place in Gainesville so some hotels are frequently booked up.
Patient Lodging Assistance: American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society has generously awarded UF Radiation Oncology a grant to assist, on a case-by-case basis, our patients who live over 40 miles away from Gainesville and require lodging when receiving treatment. For more information, contact Brigette Coleman, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker, UF Health Shands, at 352-265-8834.
Ronald McDonald House
Sponsored by McDonald’s restaurants, the Ronald McDonald House offers temporary housing for families while a child is undergoing cancer treatment or other kinds of major therapy in Gainesville. The cost is $10 per day, although this is sometimes waived.
You must register ahead of time to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. There may be a waiting list so you may not be able to stay there immediately. Please contact Brigette Coleman, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker, 352-265-8834, who can assist you with this process.
Financial Arrangements
A financial counselor will meet with you when you are first seen in our department and again as needed to assist you with financial arrangements. Our department is a preferred provider for many insurance plans, and also treats patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid. If you need specific information about charges or insurance coverage before you come to the department, call Yvonne Sturkes at (352) 265-8897. If she cannot answer your specific question, she can refer you to the proper source of information.
