$50 million gift spurs Sylvester Cancer Center growth

A $50 million donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is expected to enhance patient care, double Sylvester’s research, expand clinical trials and develop new therapies in the new 12-story facility that is to open in 2025.

Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and chief executive officer of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst, donated $50 million to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is part of University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

The building at 1425 NW 10th Ave. is to open in January 2025, said Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Oscar de la Renta Endowed Chair in cancer research and executive dean for research at the Miller School.

“It’s going to be a place where … patients are seen, clinical research is conducted, laboratory research is conducted and a co-mingling of physicians and researchers,” Dr. Nimer told Miami Today on Tuesday. “There’s a floor where there will be a lot of engagement with the community, community outreach activities. It’s going to really allow us to connect with the community and create scientific neighborhoods so we could make discoveries much faster than previously.”

On site is the partially built building, said Dr. Nimer. The ceremonial groundbreaking took place in November 2022.

“It’s an incredible partnership,” said Dr. Nimer. “We are the only NCI [National Cancer Institute] designated cancer center in South Florida. We have a mission, and the mission is to find new cures for cancer. There’s a great alignment of us with an entrepreneur and a philanthropist like Ken Griffin.

We are relentless in pursuing new cures for cancer. His gift will be catalytic for what we’re trying to do for our community here.”