For 3 Generations, Family Lives Moffitt’s Mission

Over its 38-year history, more than 27,000 people have worked at Moffitt Cancer Center. Through those years, several family members have worked at the institution supporting Moffitt’s mission together. Relationships range from husband and wife to parent and child, siblings and in-laws. Some team members have even met their future spouse working at the cancer center.

Among those related team members is the Diaz family, boasting three generations of proud team members and volunteers.

When Vivian Diaz became a Moffitt volunteer in 2001, she had no idea of the family legacy she would create. In the 23 years to follow, her husband, daughter and grandson would all become part of the Moffitt family.

After a fulfilling career as a human resources director in hospice care, Vivian wanted to spend more time with her family and give back to the community. She decided to volunteer at Moffitt because of the center’s great reputation. Her strong desire to work closely with patients and their families led her to a position in the gift shop where she planned to serve a few days a week.

Vivian enjoyed her time there and thrived in her role, increasing her volunteering to five days a week. Due to her high number of volunteer hours and her commitment to excellence, she was offered a full-time position as a shop buyer.

Three years into her new career, Vivian’s husband, Capt. Sam Diaz, retired from the Tampa Police Department after 34 years. Sam learned quickly that he didn’t enjoy sitting home alone and he missed Vivian while she worked. His solution was to become a Moffitt volunteer, stationed in the gift shop with his wife.

Working together, the high school sweethearts shared many funny moments that staff and patrons witnessed. Sam never called Vivian by her name; instead, he referred to her as “honey.” Shoppers would hear him say, “Honey, help me with this register,” and then correct himself by saying, “I mean boss honey.”

On his volunteer day, Sam enjoyed driving Vivian to and from work, and the pair always ate lunch together. For Vivian, it was “the one day of the week he did what I asked him to do.”

Sam and Vivian Diaz brought their family to many Moffitt events, including Miles for Moffitt in 2012.  

Over the years, the couple attended many Moffitt events. They brought their family to team member picnics and participated in Miles for Moffitt.

In 2005, the family’s Moffitt footprint grew when their daughter, Samantha Diaz-McGimsey, was hired as a management assistant in the IT department. Her first day on the job was especially memorable as Hurricane Wilma threatened the area and postponed her two-day team member orientation.

Samantha’s office was located at the former Moffitt Business Center building near Busch Gardens.

“I remember being scared out of my mind and running out of the bathroom in a panic, convinced we were under attack, only to realize it was the sound of SheiKra, the roller coaster, and its screaming passengers,” Samantha said.  

Samantha’s days at Moffitt became sweeter when her department moved to the Magnolia campus in 2007, allowing her to work in the same building as her parents. On the days that her father volunteered, the three enjoyed lunch together.

Vivian would often tease coworkers telling them that her “older sister worked in the basement.” Samantha routinely had to explain Vivian was her mom when bombarded with colleagues proudly claiming to have met her younger sister.

“Watching my parents work together was a joy,” Samantha shared. “However, I did worry my dad might revert back to his days as a police officer, should he catch someone stealing a candy bar.”

Her parents worked and volunteered together in the gift shop for six years until Vivian’s retirement in 2010. Vivian and Sam enjoyed their time together at home until Sam suffered a heart attack and passed away in 2022. The pair had been married for 58 years.

To carry on the Diaz family tradition of service, the next generation was ready to live out Vivian and Sam’s legacy. Their grandson Nick Diaz began volunteering at Moffitt after graduating high school. In June 2023, he officially joined the team as an environmental services technician.

“I thought it would be the right opportunity for me to be the next family member to start working at Moffitt,” Nick said. “It’s a dream job. I go and work a full day, and when I’m done there’s still a smile on my face.”

Now, Samantha and Nick enjoy their ride to work together every day. Nick is a gifted singer and the two sing songs as they navigate traffic.

“There is nowhere else I would rather be working and now that Nick is here, I don't think I will ever leave this place,” Samantha said. “My car rides singing with him make my days even brighter.”

Nick and Moffitt CEO and President Patrick Hwu, MD, enjoyed the Jam with the Band session in September 2024.  

The two also often meet for lunch, reminding Samantha of lunches in the cafeteria with her parents. She enjoys hearing about Nick’s work and the connections he has made with other team members.

“I love getting Zoom messages from employees when they find out that Nick is my son, sharing that he’s just done something sweet to make their day,” Samantha said. “I know my father would be so proud of him.”

Nick has particularly enjoyed participating in Jam with the Band sessions and holiday caroling with The ReMissions, as well as competing in Moffitt’s Got Talent.

With 29 years and counting of combined service at Moffitt, the Diaz family continues to leave their mark.

“I am very proud that my daughter and grandson are following the family tradition of giving back to Moffitt,” Vivian said.

Samantha hopes the Diaz family legacy continues for many years to come.

“My older son and his wife just made me a grandmother,” Samantha said. “If things go my way, little Mia will begin the fourth generation Diaz at Moffitt Cancer Center.”