Named in honor of the one thing that every cancer patient hopes for — their disease to be in remission — these musical team members want their positive message to highlight the great work Moffitt is doing to fight cancer.
Dr. Hwu has been playing in bands for more than 30 years. It’s become a meaningful creative outlet for him while dealing with a high-pressure career. “Being in a band is really about teamwork,” said Hwu. “As opposed to being a solo performer, the role in a band isn’t to just play, but to hear and listen to everyone else. ”
Meet The ReMissions
Dr. Dana Ataya
Breast Radiologist
Vocals
Instruments: Vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, harmonica
Favorite Music Genre: All genres, but jazz is my favorite for unwinding after a busy day
Most memorable gig to date: Snapshots of Courage at Moffitt’s McKinley Outpatient Center last fall. The event brought courageous breast cancer stories to life through patient-selected photos. The attendees were either breast cancer survivors, family members, or Moffitt breast cancer health professionals. At the end of the night, we spontaneously decided to perform “Lean On Me”. When I walked out into the audience, I was joined by a line of courageous women. They embraced me, and each other, and joined me in singing. It was a powerful moment.
Favorite songs to play with the band: Feeling Good and any songs we’ve re-imagined (“ReMission-ized”)
Dr. Patrick Hwu
President and CEO, Medical Oncologist Researcher
Keyboard
Instruments: Keyboard, piano, guitar and trumpet
Favorite music genre: Blues and rock
Most memorable gig to date: Our holiday caroling gig, because it’s such a joyous time in front of out team members along with a number of special guest vocalists who work at Moffitt.
Favorite song to play with the band: Don’t Stop Believin’. As a cancer immunologist and researcher, it symbolizes our never-ending belief that we can and will find better cancer treatments.
Jeff Leighton
Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Unit
Bass
Instruments: Bass and guitar
Favorite Music Genre: Progressive jazz, or anything that’s too complicated for me to play.
Most memorable gig to date: The Grand Opening reception for the new Moffitt McKinley Hospital.
Favorite song to play with the band: Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin
Dr. James Mulé
Researcher, Associate Center Director of Translational Science
Guitar
Instrument: Electric and resonator guitar
Favorite Music Genre: Hard rock and blues rock
Most memorable gig to date: They have all been special in their own ways, but I would have to say the recent Moffitt McKinley Hospital grand opening.
Favorite songs to play with the band: Takin' Care of Business and You Shook Me All Night Long
Ron Zalva
Security
Drums
Instruments: Drums
Favorite Music Genre: Jazz, blues and rock
Most memorable gig to date: Toss-up between Magnolia Ball, the Mole Patrol event and the DPR Construction open house
Favorite songs to play with the band: Black Velvet and Don't Stop Believin'
