Penn State’s $410 Million Cancer Center Faces Serious Challenges

Penn State University is grappling with significant internal challenges that threaten its ambitious goal of establishing a premier cancer center. Internal reviews, detailed in documents obtained by Spotlight PA, reveal a troubling environment within the cancer research unit, marked by high employee turnover, patient safety concerns, and systemic operational failures.

By early 2024, university leaders recognized that to secure National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, the Penn State Cancer Institute needed to enhance its clinical research operations. However, an investigation uncovered critical issues: staff felt overworked and undervalued, leading to mass departures and a culture of fear within the organization. Internal reports indicated that the center’s clinical research unit was plagued by operational inadequacies that risked patient safety.

A consulting firm, engaged by Penn State in 2023, conducted interviews with cancer center employees and assessed a selection of research studies. Their findings pointed to a sharp increase in errors and a stifling atmosphere that discouraged open communication. The consultants presented a comprehensive list of recommendations, emphasizing that substantial financial investment and wide-ranging changes—including potential shifts in leadership—would be necessary to address the issues.

Despite these findings, Penn State abruptly terminated the consulting contract several months later, which could hinder its timeline for achieving federal recognition. For over two decades, university officials have expressed a consistent vision for the institute to rank among the nation’s elite cancer centers, investing $410 million in pursuit of this goal.

Achieving NCI designation is a formidable challenge requiring years of coordination and substantial funding. Pennsylvania currently boasts four NCI-rated centers, all located in urban areas, making access to specialized cancer care a significant issue for the nearly 4.2 million residents in the predominantly rural regions around the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Penn State’s efforts intensified after a failed application for NCI designation in 2011, leading to the hiring of Raymond Hohl in 2014 as the center’s director. Success in this endeavor could yield substantial benefits, such as access to innovative clinical trials and enhanced funding opportunities. Furthermore, studies suggest that patients treated at designated centers often experience better survival rates.

Despite the potential advantages, the operational dysfunction within the cancer center raises alarms. A January 2024 internal report highlighted reliance on “workarounds and manual processes” within the clinical research unit, which is crucial for the institution’s aspirations. Hohl, while initially seen as a key figure for advancing the center, has been the subject of numerous internal reviews questioning his leadership and patient care practices.

Penn State did not make Hohl or other top officials available for interviews, but a university spokesperson, Scott Gilbert, defended the cancer institute’s commitment to high-quality care and research.

The pathway to NCI designation requires a robust clinical trials program, a critical component that has faced numerous setbacks. Between 2017 and 2023, the institute employed six different consulting groups, yet systemic problems persisted. A 2023 audit revealed alarming errors in medication management, including mislabeling and inaccurate patient records, which posed risks to patient safety.

Despite these issues, there is a vast discrepancy in the number of patients enrolled in clinical trials. A 2022 strategic plan aimed for at least 300 patients annually, but internal documents indicated that the cancer center fell “significantly below” this target. The inability to enroll sufficient patients is seen as a “fatal flaw” in the quest for NCI designation, according to Donald “Skip” Trump, former president of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

As university officials debated the future of the cancer center, the internal climate became increasingly fraught. Many employees reported a lack of appreciation and support, with some fearing repercussions for speaking candidly about their concerns. This culture of mistrust has contributed to a high turnover rate, particularly among those managing clinical trials, with reports indicating turnover rates as high as 75%.

The cancer center’s operational inefficiencies have resulted in lost revenue and diminished capacity for conducting safe and effective trials, according to a 2024 review. Staff members have expressed frustration over inadequate resources and infrastructure, which have compounded their challenges.

While there have been calls for substantial staffing increases—potentially requiring over $1.2 billion and an additional ten years to achieve the NCI designation—the university’s overarching vision for the cancer institute has remained unclear.

In a recent statement, university officials indicated plans to apply for federal designation by 2027. As Penn State navigates this complex landscape, the stakes for regional cancer patients and the university’s standing in medical research are substantial. The future of the Penn State Cancer Institute remains contingent upon addressing these systemic issues and fostering a supportive environment for both staff and patients alike.

The ongoing situation underscores the critical importance of transparent leadership and effective management in achieving ambitious healthcare goals.