After nine years of serving as the president of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Peter WT Pisters has announced his retirement from his role, according to an Aug. 26 news release.
Effective immediately, the University of Texas System Board of Regents and Chancellor John M. Zerwas have selected Dr. Jeffrey E. Lee as interim president. Lee will work closely with Pisters in a transition period running through the end of September, per the release.
Career history
Pisters’s career at the nation’s top-ranked cancer center began in 1994 when he joined faculty as an assistant professor of surgery. He became a full professor with tenure in 2004, by then already having focused his medical research on gastrointestinal cancers, sarcomas and other malignancies, according to the center’s official website.
The UT System Board of Regents appointed Pisters as president in December 2017 following an international search and a unanimous sole finalist naming. His collective journey at UT MD Anderson spans more than 20 years, the website details.
Under his leadership, the cancer center implemented a $10 billion capital expansion plan that is now actively underway. Pisters additionally achieved the strongest financial performance in the center’s 85-year history, which included the launch of a $2.5 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign that has already raised $2.16 billion, officials said.
Several of UT MD Anderson’s key priorities were advanced during Pisters’ presidential tenure as well. Namely, the inauguration of five transformative institutes: the James P. Allison Institute, the Institute for Data Science in Oncology, the Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation, the Meyers Institute for Oncology Nursing and the Leadership Institute.
Notable quote
Officials said that Pisters fostered a high-performing culture that develops leaders through consistent prioritization of patient safety, elevation of the patient experience and an investment in employee wellness.
Pisters said he is the only faculty member to become UT MD president to date.
“I first arrived at UT MD Anderson 32 years ago with a passion for doing everything I could to advance our mission to end cancer,” Pisters said in the announcement. “With a timeless strategy, a strong leadership team, unprecedented levels of financial health and a priceless culture anchored in our deeply held core values, now is the right time for me to transition to other opportunities. UT MD Anderson has never been stronger, and its future has never been brighter.”
Going forward
Interim President Lee, who has worked at the center for 35 years, previously served as UT MD Anderson’s executive vice president, chief physician executive and chief cancer network officer.
Recognized for his research, administration and leadership expertise as a surgical oncologist, Lee oversaw the institution’s clinical divisions, national cancer system and relationships with international organizations. He notably led center-wide initiatives to expand virtual care offerings and improve its overall quality of care through technological innovations, per the release.
Officials from the UT System Board of Regents said that Lee’s working relationships with the executive leadership team–paired with his decision-making skills, knowledge and collaboration abilities–make him a strong candidate to lead the institution for the next several years.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve during this important time for UT MD Anderson," Lee said via news release. "Continuing Dr. Pisters’ exceptional legacy of leadership at this institution, where I have spent my entire career, will be among the greatest honors of my professional life.”
The takeaway
As of early September, Pisters and Lee are currently collaborating to ensure that UT MD Anderson’s operations continue to maintain the highest standards of quality and stability during this change in leadership.
With the transition period slated to last until the end of the month, officials reiterated in the announcement the center’s commitment to its healthcare mission and strategic priorities.
