South Middlesex Times

Bolstered by $6.3 million raised in donations, the Rutgers Board of Governors today approved the establishment of the William Hait Endowed Directorship at Rutgers Cancer Institute. Moving forward, the director of Rutgers Cancer Institute will be known as the William Hait Director.

Recognized for his leadership in cancer research and patient care, William N. “Bill” Hait is the executive vice president and chief external innovation medical officer at Johnson & Johnson, as well as the founding director of Rutgers Cancer Institute. During his 14-year tenure as director, he earned the institute a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in 1997 – the first and only in New Jersey. He also led the center to achieve Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the NCI in 2002, in a record amount of time.

Following his tenure at Rutgers Cancer Institute, Hait joined Johnson & Johnson in 2007 where he has served in various global leadership positions focusing on unmet medical needs and breakthrough science. He will retire from his current role at Johnson & Johnson in September.

“On behalf of our faculty and staff, I thank the many donors who have made the William Hait Endowed Directorship possible,” said Steven K. Libutti, director of Rutgers Cancer Institute. “It is a fitting tribute to Bill’s remarkable leadership and innovation in oncology,” added Libutti, who is also senior vice president of oncology services at RWJBarnabas Health.

Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, provides patients access to advanced treatment options close to home at their facilities throughout the state. Groundbreaking cancer research drives access to advanced treatments including clinical trials. This will be enhanced with the opening of New Jersey’s first freestanding cancer hospital, Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, in 2025.

“I am truly humbled and touched by the generosity of supporters of Rutgers Cancer Institute to endow this directorship,” Hait said. “It was an honor and privilege to work with so many incredible individuals determined to create a cancer center of extraordinary quality for New Jersey.”

“The philanthropic support from our donors reflects their commitment to recognize an individual who played such a pivotal role in establishing Rutgers Cancer Institute,” said Loren Savage, associate vice president at Rutgers Health and chief development officer at Rutgers Cancer Institute. “Bill’s legacy will now serve as a pillar of cancer research and care at Rutgers University.”

Rutgers Cancer Institute will recognize Hait’s contributions to oncology with a special celebration this fall.