Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Co-Chairman of Pink Ribbon Symposium
Linda S. Sylvester, M.D., F.A.C.P., is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Born and raised in Manhattan, N.Y., Dr. Sylvester received her Bachelor of Arts in French at CUNY and spent her senior year abroad at the Université de Nancy in France. Returning to the U.S., she earned a Master of Arts in Education/Education Administration at New York University. A talented linguist, she speaks both French and Spanish fluently.
Dr. Sylvester commenced her medical studies at the University of Pittsburgh and completed her Doctorate at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Following medical school, Dr. Sylvester chose Cooper Hospital Medical Center (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) in Camden, N.J., for her internship and residency. Returning to the Medical College of Pennsylvania, she completed a Fellowship in Medical Oncology. While in residency, she was Research Assistant to Dr. Peter Cassileth at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Hematology/Oncology.
Dr. Sylvester retired from active practice in 2018 and now volunteers her time with We Care Jacksonville alongside her duties with Pink Ribbon Symposium.
From 1991 to 1996, Dr. Sylvester practiced hematology and oncology in private practice as part of the Fox Chase Cancer Network in Pennsylvania. Relocating to Jacksonville in 1998, she has based her practice at the Orange Park Cancer Center and she is actively involved in clinical trials. She has served on the Breast Cancer Committee for the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society, and was the Liaison Physician to the Commission on Cancer for the Orange Park Cancer Center.
Dr. Sylvester is a former Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Orange Park Medical Center and is certified by the School of Breast Oncology (2008). In 2008, she co-founded The Pink Ribbon Symposium. Combining her acumen as an educator with her medical knowledge and expertise, Dr. Sylvester has taught numerous courses and seminars in varied subject matter including: lung cancer, malignant melanoma, breast cancer and breast cancer genetics, genetics of colon cancer, chemotherapy and prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia and cancer pain management. Her published works include studies on leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-small cell lung carcinoma.
Dr. Sylvester is an active participant on many medical committees and generously gives her time to lecture on subjects including “Tamoxifen for High-Risk Patients”, “Breast Cancer Update” and “Breast Cancer – Past, Present and Future”. She is an Adjunct Professor at NOVA University, Jacksonville, FL. Elected a Fellow of the America College of Physicians (F.A.C.P.) in 1998, Dr. Sylvester is also a Diplomat of the National Boards of Medical Examiners, the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology. Currently, she is a member of the Duval County Medical Society, the Clay County Medical Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, the American Society of Hematology, the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association and the American Medical Women’s Association.
Her honors and awards include recognition in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and Research Fellow, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, IL. In her spare time, Dr. Sylvester enjoys spending time with her family, jazzercising, boating, kayaking, walking her dog and being involved in international cultural exchange activities in Jacksonville.
Back to Board of Directors