Ted Couch Lecture
The Couch Lectureship was established in 1999 in honor of Ted Couch, a long-time supporter of Moffitt Cancer Center who has played an integral part in our success.
He was a real estate developer back in the late 1970s when his business partner, George Cortner, introduced him to H. Lee Moffitt. Ted had faced the challenges of finding suitable care for his sister in Florida when she was diagnosed with melanoma. When he heard of Lee’s vision, he was on board.
In fact, he served as a founding member of the Moffitt Board of Directors and became chair in 1993. Ted once said, “You’ve heard, to give is to receive? Been doing it now for 30 years, and I highly recommend it.”
In 1999, Ted made another gift that provides the annual support needed to host the Ted Couch Cancer Research Lectureship. Although we’ve not recruited any of the past lecturers to join our organization (and not the intent of the award), this has been a pipeline for new talent – several awardees have left so impressed with Moffitt that they encouraged their trainees to join us. Importantly, it has enhanced our reputation and inspired the sort of exceptional science that epitomizes the Cancer Center today.
The Couch Lectureship aims to honor a scientist who has made significant contributions to cancer research. Our faculty nominate candidates and the lecturer is determined by a vote. Previous recipients include a veritable who’s who of luminaries in the field. Former recipients include:
2023: William Kaelin, MD
2018: Philip Sharpe, PhD
2016: Patricia Ganz, MD
2015: Charles Sawyer, MD
2014: Tyler Jacks, PhD
2013: Harold “Hal” Moses, MD
2012: Joan Massagué Solé, PhD
2011: Brian Druker, MD
2010: Lawrence Einhorn, MD
2009: Harald zur Hausen, MD
2008: Craig Mello, PhD
2007: Mina Bissell, PhD
2006: Moses Judah Folkman, MD
2005: Edward Donnall Thomas, MD
2004: Howard Robert Horvitz, PhD
2003: Lee Hartwell, PhD
2002: John Michael Bishop, PhD
2001: Robert Weinberg, PhD
2000: Arnold Levine, PhD
1999: Bert Vogelstein, MD
The public is invited to attend a seminar presented by the Couch Lecturer. Event details will be published on this website as they are scheduled.
For questions about the Couch Lectureship, please contact ret@moffitt.org