Peter Pisters, MD, plans to retire Sept. 30 from Houston-based The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center after nine years as president.
Jeffrey Lee, MD, was named interim president effective immediately, according to an Aug. 26 news release. Dr. Pisters will work with Dr. Lee on the transition through the end of September.
Dr. Lee has been at UT MD Anderson for 35 years and currently serves as executive vice president, chief physician executive and chief cancer network officer, the release said. A surgical oncologist, he oversees the institution’s clinical divisions, its national cancer network and relationships with international governmental and nongovernmental organizations. UT MD Anderson said Dr. Lee will lead the institution over the next several years.
Dr. Pisters joined UT MD Anderson’s faculty in 1994 and later served as president and CEO of Toronto-based University Health Network before returning as president Dec. 1, 2017. During his tenure, the institution launched a $10 billion capital expansion plan now underway, recorded the strongest financial performance in its 85-year history and launched a $2.5 billion philanthropic campaign that has raised $2.16 billion, according to the release.
“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,” Dr. Pisters said in the release.
In an Aug. 26 LinkedIn post, Dr. Pisters said the decision followed several months of personal reflection and that the work he set out to advance when he returned nine years ago had reached a natural milestone. He pointed to initiatives launched during his tenure, including the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center and UT MD Anderson’s expansion into Austin.
“I move on with complete confidence in this institution’s future,” Dr. Pisters wrote. “UT MD Anderson has never been stronger, anchored by a timeless Strategy, an exceptional leadership team and a values-based culture with record levels of employee engagement.”
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