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Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, New York
877.275.7724 (877.ASK.RPCI)
www.roswellpark.org

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Profile

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) was founded in 1898 by Dr. Roswell Park, one of the leading surgeons of his day. Dr. Park, who established the world's first laboratory for cancer research in Buffalo, New York, formulated the model of the modern-day comprehensive cancer center.

Since 1898, RPCI has forged an exemplary reputation based on the combined strength of its basic and translational research, multidisciplinary teams, educational programs, and compassionate staff. A seamless interface of scientific inquiry and clinical application and an aggressive clinical trials program afford patients access to promising new cancer diagnostics, technologies and therapies.

Driven by its mission to understand, prevent and cure cancer, RPCI is the only facility in Upstate New York to hold the National Cancer Institute designation of "comprehensive cancer center."

Its historical contributions to reducing the global cancer toll include initiating the world's first chemotherapy program; pioneering the prostate- specific antigen (PSA) test, photodynamic therapy and the combination chemotherapy of leucovorin and 5-FU (the gold standard for colon cancer treatment); developing the RPMI 1640 Culture Media (used in research labs around the world); and collaborating on landmark studies related to the Human Genome Project.

Over the last decade, RPCI has undergone major growth, adding 1,000 new staff, showing a 198% increase in grant revenues and a 300% increase in clinical revenues, initiating one of the nation's first centers dedicated to phase I clinical research studies, and setting itself apart as a leader in surgical robotics, genetics research, vitamin D research, novel immunotherapies, and tumor microenvironment and behavior/prevention studies.

Committing the infrastructure, intellectual capital and necessary resources to convert its scientific discoveries into real-world products/applications, RPCI has established several biotech spin-off companies and formed strategic partnerships with investigators and centers throughout the world.

To keep pace with increasing patient volumes and clinical expansion needs, a campaign is underway to support a Clinical Sciences Center, that will will house an expanded Chemo-infusion Clinic, a comprehensive Breast Services Center and a Patient Education/Survivorship Center.

Efforts of the Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Program range from collaborative bench research and population studies to community outreach and screening programs for high-risk populations.

RPCI's Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research is dedicated to advancing the understanding of health disparities and to developing and offering integrated community-based services and educational programs tailored to meet the needs of Western New York populations that include:

• Minorities
• Women
• Poor/Low socioeconomic status individuals
• Uninsured/Underinsured
• Individuals residing in rural areas

Its programs include The Witness Project, a national model, grassroots-outreach program designed to increase breast and cervical cancer screening among African-American women; Minorities Allied for the Need to Understand Prostate Cancer (MAN UP) that provides educational resources to help men of color make informed decisions on issues related to prostate cancer; and Science to the Sidewalk which brings the science of Roswell Park into minority and medically underserved communities.

With an unconditional commitment to the application of evidence-based medicine and best practices, RPCI continually reviews and measures the effectiveness and efficiency of its cancer care delivery, with an eye toward quality improvement. In 2011, RPCI published Quality 2011, its first comprehensive report on the Institute's patients, services, challenges, and clinical trends and outcomes.

RPCI's Vital Statistics

• Ranked among nation's top cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report
• One of Western New York's top 20 employers
• Cited as one of "The Best Places to Work" in WNY by Business First
• 3,224 employees including 347 faculty members and 591 nurses
• Hospital Admissions: 5,156
• Outpatient Visits: 202,576
• Patients Under Active Care: 29,421
• Patient Origin: 46 states, 2 foreign countries
• Number of Beds: 121
• Average Length of Stay: 7.10 days

Research/Biotechnology

• Grants/Contracts (per annum): $124.8M
• Funded Research Projects: 536
• License Agreements: 73
• U.S. Patents: 85

Accreditations/Certifications

• Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
• American Dental Association – Dentistry and Maxillofacial Prosthetics
• ANCC Magnet®-Designated Hospital
• Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
• Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)
• Association of American Blood Banks
• Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers
• Blue Distinction Center for Transplants
• Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network Member (CITN)
• Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons
• Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT)
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome Foundation Center of Excellence
• National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network
• National Marrow Donor Program
• Society of Surgical Oncology – Surgical Oncology Training Program
• Leapfrog Group Top Hospital
• Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

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