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Mitchel Hoffman, MD ’81, is the epitome of a clinician-educator, equally dedicated to patient care, research and preparing the next generation of physicians for leading roles. For most of his career, he has served on the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine faculty, while also serving patients at USF Health, Tampa General Hospital and, most recently, Moffitt Cancer Center.
Hoffman is a gynecologic oncologist and vice chair for the Gynecologic Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center. He has gained world-renown as an expert in the surgical management of gynecologic cancers and other complex gynecologic disorders.
“He’s not only treated thousands of patients directly over more than three decades, but he’s reached thousands more through the wisdom, example and clinical superiority he has demonstrated to hundreds of USF trainees,” says Moffitt colleague Jane Messina, MD ’88.
Born in West Palm Beach, Hoffman’s career in medicine began with an interest in biology. While he was initially drawn to wildlife biology, he soon discovered a love for medicine.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Emory University in 1978 before earning his MD at USF, where he completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology followed by a fellowship in gynecologic oncology. He joined the college’s faculty in 1985.
Over the years, he served as the director of medical student education in obstetrics and gynecology, division and fellowship program director of USF gynecologic oncology, vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vice dean for cancer development, and was the first faculty member to hold the Teasley-TGH Endowed Professor of Gynecologic Oncology. He has also served as a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine since 2015.
In 2016, Hoffman joined Moffitt Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, where he serves as vice chair of the department of gynecologic oncology. He enjoys the active teaching environment at Moffitt, working with trainees and patients, performing surgery, practicing within a cancer center and being part of USF.
As a clinician, Hoffman has seen many advances in gynecologic oncology over the last four decades, including less invasive surgical techniques, extending surgical capabilities into upper abdominal surgery and new systemic treatments. He stresses to his residents and fellows that, with medicine, lifelong learning is essential.
Throughout his career, Hoffman has been active in many professional and scientific societies, including serving as president of the Society of Pelvic Surgeons and president of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and board examiner for the American Board of Obsetrics and Gynecology.
He has received numerous awards, especially for teaching, including multiple Annual Faculty Teaching Awards from obstetrics and gynecology residents. In 2005, the OB/GYN resident surgical teaching award was renamed the Mitchel Hoffman Award for Excellence in Resident Surgical Education. Most recently, he was named Clinical Educator of the Year by Moffitt Cancer Center.
Hoffman has also received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics as well as a National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education from the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
As a clinician, he has been named to several lists of best or top doctors in his specialty for the Tampa Bay area, including Top Doctor in Tampa Bay by Tampa Magazine multiple times.
Hoffman has published extensively on all aspects of female cancer surgery. Notably, of his 245 peer-reviewed publications to date, most include one or two of his trainees as a co-author. He has also authored a book, as well as 25 textbook chapters, on gynecologic issues. He continues to serve as a peer reviewer for several prominent journals and as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gynecologic Surgery.
He is grateful to the many friends and mentors he’s had throughout his career, including Dr. Bill Roberts, Dr. Jorge Lockhart, the late Dr. Denis Cavanagh, Dr. Jeff Angel, Dr. Cathy Lynch, Dr. Manny Zervos, Dr. Murray Shames, Dr. Jorge Marcet, Dr. Rob Wenham, Dr. Doug Letson and Dr. Charly Lockwood.
Hoffman is also very proud of his family. He met his wife of 41 years, Sylvia, during his residency at USF, and has two children, David and Emily.
For his long career of dedication and service to students, trainees and patients, Hoffman was recognized with the 2023 USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Distinguished Physician Alumnus Award in Academics.