General Statement of Policy

Roswell Park Cancer Institute's (RPCI) Office of Public Affairs ensures that the integrity of the Institute is maintained and the rights to privacy of its patients and staff are protected. To implement this policy, RPCI has a responsibility to respond to media requests in a timely way, but within the policies of the Institute.

Procedure

The Office of Public Affairs is the liaison between the Media and RPCI. As such, the department is responsible for preparing media releases and coordinating media interviews and visits.

Media Inquiries

All inquiries from the media regarding staff, policies, plans, programs, actions, activities or any incidents at RPCI must be directed to the Office of Public Affairs which will arrange for the appropriate spokesperson to address the issue, with approval from the Institute's Administration. Institute staff members are not to be contacted directly by the media and have been instructed to refer inquiries, without comment, back to the Office of Public Affairs.

Public Affairs Contact

Deborah Pettibone
Telephone: (716) 845-8593
E-mail: deborah.pettibone@roswellpark.org

The Office of Public Affairs accepts calls for media interviews and arranges to have the most appropriate staff member respond. A representative from the Office of Public Affairs escorts the media while at the Institute to ensure that the media fulfills its stated purpose and that photographs, films, or videotapes are in the best interest of RPCI.

Patients and the Media

The use of recording devices within the Institute is strictly forbidden without proper authorization. These include video and still cameras, audio recorders, and the digital recorder/camera functions on cell phones. If participation of patients is required to present a media story, a signed patient release form must be obtained and the condition and well-being of the patient must be the primary consideration when scheduling. The Office of Public Affairs is responsible for ensuring that the patients' best interests are served, and that the media follows all guidelines established on a case-by-case basis.

Media and Scientific Laboratories

The same policies stated above apply to media visits, photographing and videotaping in scientific laboratories. Photographing and videotaping of laboratory animals are not allowed. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for ensuring that laboratory personnel are observing acceptable laboratory procedures and safety regulations while the media are in the laboratory.

Photographers and Reporters

When photographers or reporters NOT having clearance from the Office of Public Affairs seek to enter any building on the RPCI campus, Security or other personnel involved will ask them to wait while the Office of Public Affairs is contacted.

Media personnel will not be permitted to interview or photograph patients without prior approval and an escort from the Office of Public Affairs.

Photographers taking pictures outside in the public right-of-way and not on Institute property is allowable; however, photographing or otherwise recording patients arriving at the Institute is not.