H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

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The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is a cancer treatment and cancer research center located in north Tampa, Florida. It is a non-profit organization located on the campus of the University of South Florida and was number eleven on U.S. News & World Report's 2006 ranking of cancer hospitals in the United States (up from number thirteen in 2005). [1] Moffitt Cancer Center is among the group of National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Ted Couch, graduate of Jesuit High School of Tampa, gave the first endowment to start H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. [2]

The original cancer center building was built in 1985 by the State of Florida through monies raised via the state's cigarette tax. It was the dream of Tampa native H. Lee Moffitt, then a Florida legislator.

The 124-bed hospital acted basically as a community cancer hospital for the first six or seven years of its life with very little external peer-reviewed funding. In 1991, John C. "Jack" Ruckdeschel, MD was recruited from Albany Medical College. During Ruckdeschel's tenure, the cancer center expanded significantly. The center acquired more facilities (a former alcoholic rehab facility on Bruce B. Downs know as the West Annex, the second floor of the former Florida Blood Bank building and, eventually, a large building which was the former home of the USF Eye Institute). In 1996, the former Eye Institute building ostensibly became the Moffitt Research Center and many new scientists joined the staff. In 1997, the Cancer Center was successfully competed for NCI Cancer Center designation and in 2000, it was awarded Comprehensive Cancer Center designation by the NCI. In 2001, the center leased an old Verizon Wireless (formerly PrimeCo) call center and created the Moffitt Business Center. The State of Florida awarded the Cancer Center with additional monies to build a research tower (now called the Stabile Research Building) and then a clinic building. Successful philanthropy also contributed significantly to the growth of the center.

Ruckdeschel stepped down in late 2002 and was replaced by William S. "Bill" Dalton, MD, Ph.D. During Dalton's tenure, the new research and clinic buildings were completed. The vice president of Ancillary and Medical Staff Services is William H. Dotterer.