Having experienced his 39-year-old mother's death from cancer when he was twelve, Dr. Jacobson made an early commitment to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families. Personal history inspired his career as an oncologist as well as his commitment to provide highly individualized patient care. Dr. Jacobson's motto—“I don't treat cancer, I treat people (who have cancer)”—sets the compassionate and comprehensive standard of care for his own work and that of Intercommunity Cancer Centers (ICC) as a whole. He and the ICC team at this community-based center take time to thoroughly educate each patient and understand his or her particular situation. Miami native, Dr. Jacobson graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, and was then recruited for his residency in radiation oncology by Harvard, Stanford, M.D. Anderson, Washington University, as well as his alma mater. "I chose to turn down the others and continue at the University of Florida under world renowned, Dr. Rodney R. Million. U of F was the only Department combining academic excellence and a hands-on technical experience along with primary responsibility for direct patient care."