Moffitt Opens Flagship Outpatient Cancer Center at Speros

On Friday, Moffitt Cancer Center celebrated the grand opening of the Moffitt Speros Outpatient Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony that marked a major milestone for cancer care, research and economic development in Florida. 

The 120,000-square-foot outpatient center anchors the first phase of Speros, a 775-acre global research and development campus in Pasco County. The facility will begin treating patients on Jan. 26, 2026, expanding access to comprehensive outpatient cancer services for the region. The center also houses the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Proton Therapy Center, the Tampa Bay area’s first proton therapy facility, which is expected to open to patients in June 2026. 

It allows us to deliver world-class outpatient care in a setting designed for patients and families, while advancing our broader vision at Speros to bring research, innovation and care together in one place.

Patrick Hwu, MD

“This center represents hope made tangible,” said Patrick Hwu, MD, president and CEO of Moffitt. “It allows us to deliver world-class outpatient care in a setting designed for patients and families, while advancing our broader vision at Speros to bring research, innovation and care together in one place.” 

Hub for Cancer Care, Discovery 

The ceremony featured remarks from Moffitt and Speros leadership, state and local officials, and philanthropic partners, followed by tours of the outpatient and proton therapy spaces. The event underscored the growing role of Speros as a hub for cancer care, biotechnology and discovery in Florida. 

Speros, derived from the Latin verb sperare, meaning “to hope,” is located along Ridge Road in Land O’ Lakes, adjacent to the Suncoast Parkway and about 25 minutes from Tampa International Airport. At 775 acres, the campus is larger than the entire downtown Tampa market and is roughly half the size of the University of South Florida campus. 

Josh Carpenter, DPhil

“This opening is the front door of Speros,” said Josh Carpenter, DPhil, president of Speros. “It signals what this campus is becoming: a place where patients receive exceptional care, scientists collaborate across disciplines, and innovation fuels both cures and economic growth.” 

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson highlighted the broader impact of the project on the region and the state. 

“Speros shows what’s possible when Florida invests in innovation, health care and jobs,” Simpson said. “This campus is strengthening our economy, attracting talent and ensuring Floridians have access to some of the most advanced cancer care in the world.” 

Proton Therapy Coming in June 

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Proton Therapy Center will feature a ProteusONE proton therapy system.

The proton therapy center within the outpatient facility was made possible by a $15 million gift from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. The center features a state-of-the-art ProteusONE proton therapy system designed to precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

“This is about giving patients better options and better outcomes,” said Dick Schulze, founder of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. “We’re proud to support a facility that brings leading-edge technology to this community and advances Moffitt’s lifesaving mission.” 

Speros broke ground in January 2023. The initial development phase, expected to be completed by 2028, includes the outpatient and proton center, the 250,000-square-foot Moffitt Discovery & Innovation Center for research, new infrastructure and a growing ecosystem of partners. Over the next decade, Moffitt at Speros is projected to generate more than 11,000 jobs and $2.5 billion in total economic value.