PATRICK HWU

PRESIDENT & CEO, MOFFITT CANCER CENTER, TAMPA

Since 2020, Hwu has been at the helm of Moffitt Cancer Center, the first National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida. Moffitt has nearly 10,000 employees and sees nearly 90,000 patients a year. Its dedicated workforce supports a mission to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer through cutting-edge research, compassionate patient care and community outreach.

EDUCATION: Lehigh University (BA), Medical College of Pennsylvania (MD)

FIRST JOB: While in high school, I worked at the St. Albans Advertiser, writing stories and taking photos for our local newspaper. … I was also a lifeguard.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I’d love to be able to teach kids music and start my own version of the School of Rock!

MENTEE IMPACT: At a recent Society of Surgical Oncology meeting held in Tampa, a former student from 20 years ago, who is now a surgeon in Houston, thanked me for teaching him not just scientific principles, but principles of leadership and character that he draws upon every day. It was just so meaningful to me to hear firsthand about the lasting impact mentorship can have.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I once swam across the Chesapeake Bay — a 4.5-mile open-water swim — as part of a masters swim team in Maryland called the Ancient Mariners.