News Summary
Peter W.T. Pisters, president of MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been awarded a $3.9 million compensation package, the highest among public university executives in Texas. Despite this financial emphasis, MD Anderson faces a $43 million budget shortfall and plans for a new pediatric cancer center funded by a $150 million donation. The collaboration with Texas Children’s Hospital aims to enhance pediatric oncology care and research significantly.
Houston — Peter W.T. Pisters, the president of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been awarded a compensation package of $3.9 million for the 2025 fiscal year, leading the compensation rankings among public university executives in Texas. This amount is significantly higher than any other executive within Texas’s public university systems, indicating the financial positioning of health-focused institutions within the state’s education landscape.
The Houston Chronicle’s analysis, which examined salary data from Texas’s seven public university systems and its only independent university, revealed that health officials have a dominant presence among top-paid executives. Out of the top 100 highest-paid individuals in the University of Texas system, 86 are affiliated with MD Anderson, highlighting the financial emphasis on health administration within the state’s educational institutions.
In comparison, Chancellor and President Renu Khator from the University of Houston made it to the top 100 list at the 12th position with a compensation package of $1,589,178. This package includes nearly $1.1 million in base salary, a $300,000 cash bonus, and various additional benefits. The analysis also noted Tedd Mitchell from Texas Tech University System as the highest-paid chancellor this year, who received an almost $1.1 million base salary along with retention and deferred compensation totaling over $1 million. Furthermore, Chris Del Conte, the athletic director at the University of Texas, has a compensation package of $2.8 million, showcasing the varied financial structures present across university leadership roles.
Salaries reported reflect figures effective as of September 1, 2024, but it is essential to note that these amounts may fluctuate throughout the fiscal year. Not all executives are guaranteed the entire sum in cash, and certain salaries may include elements such as deferred compensation, designed largely for retirement and other budgeted incentives. The state’s Legislative Board collects this salary data, ensuring transparency regarding executive compensation at these institutions.
Despite the highlight on Pisters’ compensation, MD Anderson has encountered considerable financial challenges. As of March 2025, the center has reported a budget shortfall of $43 million, leading to a pause on hiring for certain positions and cuts to “non-essential” expenditures. Pisters attributes the financial strain to rising expenses that have outstripped revenue, primarily due to increased staffing needs and a decrease in new patient admissions compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, there is an optimistic forecast for a budget surplus of $140 million anticipated by August 2025.
The ongoing economic climate, particularly rising inflation and associated costs, as well as potential tariff impacts on medications, are complicating budgeting and financial planning at MD Anderson. To counteract these challenges, the Kinder Foundation has planned a substantial contribution of $150 million to support a new joint pediatric cancer program with Texas Children’s Hospital and MD Anderson.
This donation is part of a broader initiative with a campaign goal of raising $1 billion for pediatric cancer care, with $600 million earmarked specifically for the construction of the new Kinder Children’s Cancer Center. Scheduled for completion around 2030 or 2031, the new facility will incorporate various dedicated clinics for different cancer types and state-of-the-art research laboratories, fostering an innovative environment for pediatric cancer treatment.
The collaboration between MD Anderson and Texas Children’s Hospital is intended to combine resources effectively, enhancing both research and treatment capabilities for childhood cancer. The construction of the new center will involve the demolition of an existing hotel to pave the way for a comprehensive facility focused on providing cutting-edge care. Notably, Texas Children’s Hospital will maintain its radiation oncology services at MD Anderson while ensuring that surgical services continue to be conducted at Texas Children’s, further strengthening their joint pediatric oncology program’s mission to improve treatment outcomes and expand access to clinical trials for pediatric patients.
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Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle: Top Paid University Execs
- Wikipedia: Public University
- Houston Chronicle: Texas Children’s & MD Anderson Donation
- Google Search: MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Houston Chronicle: New MD Anderson President
- Google Scholar: MD Anderson Cancer Center Leadership
- Chron: New President’s Call for Patient-Centered Care
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University
- Houston Chronicle: MD Anderson Hiring Pause
- Google News: Texas Children’s Hospital
