Celebrating a legacy: The SherryStrong Integrative Wellness Center opens at AdventHealth Daytona Beach

AdventHealth Daytona Beach, in partnership with the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, has officially opened the doors to the SherryStrong Integrative Wellness Center, offering cancer patients and their families healing beyond traditional treatments.

Named in honor of Sherry Pollex, a passionate advocate for cancer patients with deep roots in NASCAR, the center provides therapies such as oncology massage, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, nutritional counseling and support groups – all at no cost to patients.

In 2023, Pollex succumbed to her near-decade-long battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 44. This new center carries forward her vision of integrating traditional medicine and whole-person care in the fight against cancer.

“Sherry was more than just a cancer patient; she was a fighter and a strong believer in the power of integrative wellness,” said Audrey Gregory, Ph.D., RN, executive vice president and CEO for the AdventHealth East Florida Division. “Instead of focusing on only her own fight, Sherry used her voice to help others. She envisioned a world where cancer patients had access to care that not only treated the disease but also the person as a whole. That vision lives on today through this center.”

Sherry’s vision first became a reality in 2020 with the opening or the SherryStrong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic within Novant Health’s new Weisinger Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. More than 3,500 patients have walked through the doors since that center’s inception. The center at AdventHealth Daytona Beach Cancer Institute is the second SherryStrong location to open.

“Cancer treatment is often focused on chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. But we know that true healing goes beyond medicine,” said David Weis, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s operations in East Volusia, Flager, and St. Johns counties. “This center will provide patients with the tools, support and care they need to feel stronger in every way – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And here’s what makes it truly special: this care is available to all, regardless of their ability to pay.”

This commitment to whole-person care has helped AdventHealth Daytona Beach earn recognition as the No. 1 hospital in Volusia County by U.S. News & World Report for four consecutive years. The hospital is also rated as “high performing” in eight common adult procedures and conditions, including colon cancer surgery.

The SherryStrong Integrative Wellness Center at AdventHealth Daytona Beach was made possible through a $1.8 million fundraising effort through the AdventHealth Daytona Beach Foundation, with support from the NASCAR Foundation, racing fans, and grateful patients and their families. The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation played a critical role in bringing this center to life with a $1.25 million donation.

“Sherry was a fierce advocate for integrative medicine in the fight against cancer and she inspired many with her strength, grace and ‘never give up’ mentality,” said Lisa Backer, executive director of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation. “Her legacy will live on through this center which embodies her vision of holistic, patient-centered care.”

During the grand opening celebration, Kaitlyn Vincie, pit reporter for NASCAR on FOX along with the Pollex family, unveiled a special memorial honoring the life and legacy of Sherry Pollex. The memorial is a permanent fixture in the facility and will serve as a reminder to patients of their own strength and beauty.

“Sherry would have been so proud to see her vision come to life in the opening of this center at AdventHealth Daytona Beach,” said Kaitlyn Vincie, a long-time friend of Sherry’s. “Sherry was always a beacon of strength and resilience, and this center embodies her unwavering spirit and dedication to holistic healing. It’s a testament to her passion for helping others and her belief in the power of integrative wellness. This center will continue her legacy of inspiring and supporting so many throughout their journeys."

Dr. John Reilly, a radiation oncologist with the AdventHealth Daytona Beach Cancer Institute, emphasized the lasting benefits this center will have on cancer patients in the community.

“Research shows that integrative therapies can help ease side effects, reduce stress and improve quality of life. This center offers therapies that work hand-in-hand with traditional cancer treatments to help patients feel stronger, calmer and more in control of their journey,” Reilly said.

This philosophy aligns with AdventHealth’s broader approach to cancer care, which has earned national recognition. The AdventHealth Cancer Institute is ranked among the top 50 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and is recognized for excellence by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the American College of Radiology.

“Cancer patients deserve more than just treatment,” Reilly added. “They deserve care that supports every part of their health and well-being.”