It’s official. World-renowned tumor immunologist Patrick Hwu (pronounced “who”), M.D., has been appointed the new president and CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center. He brings 33 years of oncology experience and comes from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is the division head of Cancer Medicine.

Moffitt’s Institute Board of Directors appointed Hwu to the role during a special meeting Aug. 12. He will begin his tenure at Moffitt on Nov. 10.

Hwu has held various leadership roles during 17 years at MD Anderson, including chair of the Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology and co-director of the Center for Cancer Immunology Research. He was the first chair of the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology.

Known for leading transformative research into the clinic, Hwu helped pioneer the field of gene modified T cells, publishing research on the first chimeric antigen receptor directed against cancer. His work focuses on vaccines, adoptive T-cell therapies and immune resistance. He is the principal investigator on a National Institutes of Health SPORE grant for melanoma and has more than 270 peer-reviewed publications.

“Dr. Hwu is truly a cancer visionary ready to elevate Moffitt to even greater success,” said Tim Adams, chair of Moffitt’s Institute Board of Directors. “Drawing from his innovative cancer research, quality patient care and extensive leadership experience, Dr. Hwu will no doubt continue to help Moffitt in our pursuit of dynamic growth and groundbreaking work.”

"Dr. Hwu is truly a cancer visionary ready to elevate Moffitt to even greater success."

- Tim Adams, chair of Moffitt’s Institute Board of Directors

“It is my distinct honor and privilege to be selected as the next president and CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center, which has made unprecedented strides in its 34 years in the prevention and treatment of cancer,” Hwu said. “I look forward to bringing my years of experience as a cancer physician, researcher and leader to help advance the outstanding work already underway by the teams of cancer experts at Florida’s top-ranked cancer hospital. I’m confident that our collective efforts will further elevate Moffitt’s leadership in cancer patient care, research and education.”

Hwu is vice president/president elect at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, serves on the Melanoma Research Alliance Foundation Medical Advisory Panel in Washington, D.C., and is a member of numerous scientific advisory boards throughout the U.S.

He earned his medical degree from The Medical College of Pennsylvania. He served as a house officer in Internal Medicine at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and completed a fellowship in oncology at the National Cancer Institute, where he worked for 10 years.

“Dr. Patrick Hwu is a nationally respected physician-scientist with the vision to lead Moffitt into the future,” said founder H. Lee Moffitt. “Coming from the largest cancer center in the country, where he has distinguished himself and produced incredible results, we expect he will successfully guide the Moffitt team through the next generation of cancer treatments and discoveries.

“I’m confident Dr. Hwu will inspire and continue our mission to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.  Our impact on helping cancer patients will be felt worldwide and, in the process, continue to make Florida proud.”