During Dr. Johnson’s tenure, the 128-year-old Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has amassed numerous accolades and achievements, including coveted “exceptional” rating from National Cancer Institute, Magnet designation, several “Best Places to Work” recognitions and quality accreditation across numerous areas of clinical care. The first woman to lead Roswell Park, Dr. Johnson applied insights from years as a cancer scientist in pharmacology and therapeutics as she steered the growth of programs in immunotherapy, transplant, cellular therapy and community outreach. Highlights of her recent years in leadership include the opening of the largest cell therapy facility of its kind with an expansion of the Roswell Park GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility, the opening and planned expansion of the newly named Roswell Park Broadview Community Outreach and Engagement Center, the establishment of a Department of Indigenous Cancer Health and the launch of Roswell Park’s pioneering “Early Detection Driven to You” mobile cancer screening centers. Before being named CEO in 2015, Dr. Johnson served as Roswell Park’s deputy director and chaired the department of pharmacology and therapeutics, overseeing the translation of cancer research into innovative therapies. She has authored nearly 200 publications, served in leadership roles on numerous national committees and chaired NCI Frederick National Laboratory advisory committee since 2021. Recently she went to Washington, D.C., to accept Prevent Cancer Foundation’s prestigious “Carolyn ‘Bo’ Aldigé Visionary Award,” acknowledging Roswell Park’s extensive accomplishments in cancer prevention and early detection.
