Noted Tampa cancer center appoints new physician leader

The Moffitt Cancer Center has appointed Dr. Karen Lu, formerly of MD Anderson Cancer Center of Texas, as its executive vice president and physician-in-chief, the center says in a Monday news release.

In this role, Lu will oversee the Moffitt Medical Group, a multidisciplinary medical group practice made up of more than 600 faculty members and advanced practice providers, the center says.

"As Moffitt Cancer Center strives every day to lower the death rate from cancer, we need the best and brightest experts to care for our patients," says Dr. Patrick Hwu, Moffitt president and CEO, in the statement. "Karen Lu is who we need to lead our Moffitt Medical Group to advances and innovations that will bring a cure."

Lu is a nationally recognized physician-scientist, Moffitt officials say, and focused her clinical and research interests on the surgical and medical treatment of women with ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as the management of women at genetically high risk for these cancers.

Lu studies the cancer genetics field, publishing articles on heredity gynecological cancers.

Lu has more than 15 years of health care leadership experience. Prior to joining Moffitt, she served as the chair of the department of gynecologic oncology and reproductive medicine and co-director of the clinical cancer genetics program at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Lu previously served as the ad interim chief clinical officer at MD Anderson.

Moffitt is a Tampa-based facility with more than 9,000 team members. Moffitt says it has an economic impact of $2.4 billion on Florida.