The H. Lee Cancer Moffitt Center & Research Institute is a not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is "to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer." Located at the University of South Florida in Tampa, the Moffitt campus includes the 162-bed Moffitt Hospital; the Moffitt Clinic and the Moffitt Research Institute consisting of two facilities which house more than 700 scientific researchers and staff. In addition, off-campus facilities include an outpatient radiation/chemotherapy treatment center in South Tampa and the Lifetime Cancer Screening and Prevention Center, which provides a wide array of outreach and educational activities for the general public and select underserved populations.
The Florida Legislature created the Cancer Center in the early 1980s to meet a clear and compelling need to respond to Florida's "cancer epidemic." Construction of the original, 380,000 square foot hospital facility was funded with $70 million from the state's cigarette tax, allowing the Center to open in 1986. Since then, Moffitt Cancer Center has become a sprawling institution employing more than 2,600 staff working in various buildings totaling nearly 1.4 million square feet.
In 2001, Moffitt Cancer Center was recognized by the National Cancer Institute as Comprehensive Cancer Center -- in acknowledgement of its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials,prevention and cancer control. Moffitt's NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center status signifies its membership among an elite group of 38 NCI centers nationwide dedicated to the rapid translation of research discoveries to directly benefit people with cancer. In addition, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and also has been named among "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer care by U.S.News & World Report for seven years in a row.
