History

Founded in 1898, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center was the first institution in the world to focus exclusively on cancer research.

We Set The Model

In 2021, Roswell Park celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Cancer Act. Find out how we became a model for other cancer centers around the world.

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We grew from an idea that took shape in the mind of eminent surgeon Dr. Roswell Park: to create a powerful force against cancer by bringing together the knowledge and skills of pathologists, chemists, biologists, surgeons and other experts — all in one center. He believed that cancer could be eradicated only through well-organized scientific research, and that investigations in the laboratory and clinic should go hand-in-hand in order to accelerate discovery and speed the delivery of promising new treatments.

That vision has fueled more than a century’s worth of medical discoveries and breakthroughs, and Roswell Park has served as a model for cancer research centers around the world. The strong foundation Dr. Park built has expanded, transforming cancer care in a way he never could have imagined. From diagnosis through survivorship, our patients are surrounded by a multidisciplinary team of experts — doctors and nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists, psychologists and social workers — all working together to help them live long, healthy and happy lives.

Highlights from our history