TAMPA, Fla. — Moffitt Cancer Center has once again been awarded the National Cancer Institute’s highest designation, Comprehensive Cancer Center, with its highest ranking ever. Only 2.8% of cancer research institutions in the United States have received this prestigious designation. Comprehensive Cancer Center status recognizes Moffitt’s leadership in transdisciplinary, state-of-the-art research that is focused on developing new and better approaches to preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. Moffitt is the only Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida.
“Our renewed NCI designation is a testament to the hard work of everyone at the cancer center, not just the scientists, clinicians, research administrators and support staff. All Moffitt team members put our mission to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer at the forefront of everything we do,” said Moffitt Center Director John L. Cleveland, Ph.D.
The NCI Cancer Centers Program is an integral part of the nation’s cancer research effort. It was created as part of the National Cancer Act of 1971. Through this program, the NCI awards centers the NCI designation, which comes with grant funding to enhance research programs and resources. There are only 71 cancer centers in the U.S. that have received NCI designation, and only 52 of those have Comprehensive Cancer Center status.
NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, like Moffitt, provide the best and most advanced care for patients, including access to the newest approved therapies, and innovative clinical trials and laboratory research, that is paving the way for the future of cancer prevention, treatment and care. Moffitt also provides outreach, education and clinical care to our community, the state and beyond, with a specific emphasis on addressing the health disparities of those who are underserved and underrepresented.
“Studies show that patients who receive care at an NCI-designated cancer center can improve their long-term survival rates by up to 25%. At Moffitt, our patient outcomes often exceed the national average, in part because of our ongoing research efforts and our robust portfolio of clinical trials. We are focused on translating our research discoveries into new therapies, diagnostics and supportive care for our patients,” said Cleveland.
NCI designation is typically reviewed every five years. The rigorous renewal process involves a peer-reviewed grant application that is often well over 2,500 pages and provides an in-depth look at the institution, its research programs, community outreach and engagement, leadership, career development and education, most importantly, its ability to translate scientific discoveries into new tools to detect and treat cancer. In addition to the application, a group of peer reviewers and the NCI conduct a site visit shortly after grant submission to evaluate the center firsthand.
Moffitt first received NCI designation in 1998, five years after beginning its research enterprise. The cancer center was awarded Comprehensive Cancer Center designation in 2001 and has successfully been awarded redesignation during four subsequent renewal periods.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 52 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 7,500 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.4 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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