Renuka Iyer, MD

Global Resource on Rare Cancer Type Recognizes Dr. Renuka Iyer with Top Honors

Roswell Park oncologist receives Mark R. Clements Award from Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

Highlights
  • Dr. Iyer is Mark R. Clements Award winner for Vision, Innovation, Collaboration
  • Cholangiocarcinoma considered very rare cancer
  • Dr. Iyer served as medical advisor on CCF’s Nursing Advisory Board

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Recognizing her passionate advocacy on behalf of patients with a rare gastrointestinal cancer, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) has presented its Mark R. Clements Award to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center medical oncologist Renuka Iyer, MD.

The Mark R. Clements Award for Vision, Innovation and Collaboration is the highest honor awarded by the CCF. Dr. Iyer is one of two recipients for 2021.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a very rare and lethal cancer that can develop along any part of the bile duct, affecting only 10,000 people each year in the United States. It is often found at later stages and in older individuals, prompting an overwhelming need for new and novel therapies.

Dr. Iyer, who is the Co-Director of the Liver and Pancreas Tumor Center at Roswell Park, specializes in caring for patients with cholangiocarcinoma and has served the CCF —a global resource for those affected by the disease — as medical advisor for its Nursing Advisory Board for the last five years. This board aims to educate nursing professionals on the needs and issues faced by patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

“Renuka championed passionately for nursing to achieve the Nursing Advisory Board’s vision to improve the quality of life and care of our cholangiocarcinoma patients. Her inspiration, devotion and dedication in time and scientific knowledge was invaluable to our work for which we will be eternally grateful. Her impact will long live as this work continues to advance nursing scientific knowledge and improved patient care,” says Susan Acquisto, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, immediate past Chair of the Nursing Advisory Board for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.

“Dr. Iyer is an incredible asset to Roswell Park and our patients,” says Gurkamal Chatta, MD, Clinical Chief of Genitourinary Medicine and interim Co-Chair of Medicine at Roswell Park. “She is not only extremely knowledgeable, but also approaches every patient with exceptional compassion and respect. This acknowledgment of her leadership in the field is richly deserved.”

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.

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