For Immediate Release
October 25, 2006

BUFFALO, NY – Faced with an increasing demand for chemotherapy and infusion services and to help meet the needs of cancer patients in Upstate New York, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) today announced the opening of the Amherst Center at 100 College Park, between Main Street and Wehrle Drive, in Amherst. The new Center will operate chemotherapy and oncology clinics Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, and will accommodate approximately 15,600 patients annually.

“The Amherst site is ideal because many Roswell Park patients live in the north towns area, it is easily accessible from major highways and located near emergency care services, and it has pharmacy and laboratory capabilities,” according to David C. Hohn, MD, President and CEO of Roswell Park. “There also are 2,200 adjacent square feet of space for future expansion.”

The 5,500-square-foot facility features 20 chemotherapy chairs, four exam rooms, two nursing stations, offices for the on-site physician and nurse manager, a waiting and reception area, a chemotherapy mixing pharmacy and laboratory services that will eventually be available to Roswell Park patients with appointments at either the downtown or the Amherst location.

The staff consists of physicians, a pharmacist, a pharmacy technician, a nurse manager, registered nurses, laboratory personnel, a courier, hospital aides and medical secretaries.

Chemotherapy and infusion volume at Roswell Park has increased by an average of 12% each year for the past four years, and in 2005, these service volumes increased 19%. This growth reflects trends and improvements in cancer care, as well as an increase in the number of patients being enrolled in research clinical studies.

“This Center enables Roswell Park to provide high quality care to more cancer patients in a safe, comfortable, efficient environment,” notes Donald L. Trump, MD, Associate Director of Roswell Park, “while at the same time better serving patients on its downtown campus.”  

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

 

-30-