Live in Pasco County? Moffitt’s Newest Clinic Opens January 2026
Moffitt Cancer Center’s newest facility, Moffitt Speros Outpatient Center, will open at SPEROS FL in Land O’ Lakes, Florida on Jan. 26, 2026. The ambulatory center will feature nearly 120,000 square feet of clinical space, including the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Proton Center.
Moffitt hosted a community town hall at the Angeline Academy of Innovation where more than 140 members of the public joined Moffitt experts to hear updates on the future of cancer care, research and workforce development in Pasco County. The event was hosted by Moffitt’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.
A sense of community pride filled the room as many attendees were current or former Moffitt patients excited to see the cancer center expanding to their neighborhood:
- “Fifteen years ago, I was diagnosed with bone and lung cancer. I only moved to this area to be close to Moffitt. It’s been a blessing.”
- “This community in Pasco County, including Land O’ Lakes and Angeline, is one of the few cities that are truly planned out. More than 92 new residents move here each day. We’re so proud to be the first pioneers to live here. The growth is so exciting.”
In attendance were longtime Moffitt supporters and elected officials who call Pasco County home, including Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson; Florida State Representative Jeff Holcomb; District Director Luis Laracuente of U.S. Senator Rick Scott’s office; Strategic Operations Director Karen Mayer of U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis’s office; and Legislative Aide Katie Dolatowski of Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey’s office.
Jazmin Calzada, senior director of Nursing and Ambulatory Campus Operations, moderated the panel discussion that included Michael Shafique, MD, medical director of Satellite Oncology; Lorraine Portelance, MD, vice chair of Radiation Oncology; Marcelo Bonini, PhD, chair of the Department of Metabolism and Physiology; Ken Wright, PhD, associate center director of Research Education and Training; and Catalina Vasquez, a manager in Talent Acquisition.
Below is a summary of the Q&A session that captures the most frequently asked questions and expert responses from the evening.
Moffitt Expert Panel Q&A Recap
What will make Moffitt at Speros so unique?
Shafique: What makes Moffitt at Speros so special is our approach to care. At Moffitt, we have several multidisciplinary teams involved in a single patient’s care. Having these experts in one place enhances our patient outcomes. For example, I recently had a patient was diagnosed just six weeks ago. We were able to get her into the clinic quickly and evaluated within two weeks of diagnosis. Four weeks ago, she started treatment. Today, she’s doing so much better. Her symptoms are getting better and, thankfully, she has an optimistic outlook. That’s the power of Moffitt. At Speros, we’re bringing together multispecialty teams that work across so many different disease programs to create truly integrated, world-class cancer care. Our team here is what truly defines Moffitt. We have a singular focus, and I am honored to work with such compassionate individuals.
Why is research so important to cancer care?
Bonini: What many people don’t know is that the majority of cancers today are curable, but that has only recently changed over the last 20 years. That used to not be the case. Over the past two decades, we’ve seen major breakthroughs, and that’s thanks to critical research being performed within collaborative spaces. At Speros, research and clinical care will live side-by-side. We will be training the next generation of leaders in clinical oncology and research scientists right here in Land O’ Lakes.
How will Speros help grow the next generation of cancer experts?
Wright: We’re creating opportunities for everyone from high school students to college students and PhDs. Whether you’re into math, engineering, medicine, biology, chemistry or technology, there’s a place for you here. You don’t have to be a doctor to make a difference in cancer care. There are so many opportunities to advance your career. If you’re interested in math, we’ve got Integrated Mathematical Oncology — people that use math to find new therapies for cancer. Interested in engineering? Moffitt launched the very first bioengineering program for cancer. We offer countless opportunities to make significant contributions to the different fields of cancer.
What’s it like working at Moffitt? And what jobs will be available at Speros?
Vasquez: Whether you’re greeting patients at valet, making coffee in the café or conducting research, every role matters at Moffitt. We all work for the same mission and our culture is built on respect, collaboration and our patients. We always tell our team, “Spend 30 seconds in the clinic and you’ll remember why you’re here.” Everyone has a tremendous impact. At Speros, we have already started hiring for our ambulatory clinic, the Moffitt Speros Outpatient Center. Over the next six months, recruitment will be staggered, starting now with some of our specialty roles like radiologists, radiation therapists and pharmacists. Next will be leadership, nursing and certified medical assistants. After that, we’ll focus on support roles like facilities and environmental services. Like Dr. Wright said, you don’t have to be a researcher or doctor to make a difference at Moffitt.
Community Q&A Recap
Will current Moffitt patients be able to access services at Speros?
Yes. The Moffitt Speros Outpatient Center will offer cancer screenings, diagnostic imaging, blood draw and clinical lab services, clinic appointments, radiation therapy, infusion services and proton therapy. As the campus grows, we’ll add more screening and wellness services for the wider community. New and existing patients can begin booking appointments on Oct. 27, 2025. To request an appointment at Speros, contact Moffitt at 1-888-663-3488 or reach out to your care team via the Moffitt patient portal.
What’s special about proton therapy?
Radiation therapy plays a critical role in cancer treatment. More than 60% of patients will require it at some point, and for many of those patients, it will be effective in treating their cancers. Traditional radiation uses photons, which can pass through the body and potentially damage healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. However, Proton therapy uses proton particles that stop at the tumor site, depositing the majority of their energy directly at the target. This precision reduces exposure to nearby healthy tissues, lowers the risk of side effects and improves patient outcomes.
Proton therapy has its roots in post-World War II science, when researchers first explored its potential for treating tumors. The first patient was treated at Harvard in 1960, though the technology remained limited for many years. Today, thanks to advanced imaging and targeting systems, proton therapy has evolved into one of the most accurate and effective forms of radiation treatment available. Speros will house the Tampa Bay region’s first proton therapy system, featuring the most advanced proton beam technology currently in use. Moffitt patients should discuss proton treatment with their care teams to determine if they are eligible.
Are there internships or pathways for students and grads?
Yes, Moffitt offers training and internship opportunities. Some programs include:
- SPARK (Summer Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge)
- ENCOURAGE (Encouraging Cancer & Oncology Undergraduate Research Growth and Engagement)
- U54 (Undergraduate Student Research Immersion Program)
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship Office offers science, marketing, accounting and legal internships.
What’s the long-term vision and timeline for Speros?
Speros is the only global research park dedicated to preventing and curing cancer. Moffitt will occupy about 20% of Speros. The goal is to build a thriving ecosystem for life sciences companies, biotech startups and investors. The area around the Moffitt buildings at Speros is known as the “campfire,” meaning that we’re building something so strong and brilliant that others want to gather around it and join Moffitt.
Will there be volunteer opportunities?
Yes, Moffitt always needs volunteers, including at Speros. Learn more about Moffitt Volunteer Opportunities.
Will there be educational seminars available to the public through Speros?
Yes, the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement provides a range of educational offerings on a variety of cancer topics. Patients and community members can submit requests for educational seminars here.
