Benjamin Switzer

DO, MHSA, MS
Medical Oncology

Cancers Treated:

Melanoma

Specializing In:

Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers Early phase clinical trials

Research Interests:

Studying impact of stress (adrenergic) pathways on cancer Drug development, particularly immune therapies for the treatment of various skin cancers Identification of real-time biomarkers to monitor responses and/or toxicities of various immune therapies

About Benjamin Switzer

Biography:

I am an Assistant Professor of Oncology within the department of Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center with a focus on melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, and early-phase clinical trials. My passion for melanoma and immune therapy-related toxicity management began during residency training at the Cleveland Clinic through the mentorship of Dr. Pauline Funchain. During my Fellowship training at the State University of New York at Buffalo and Roswell Park, I have further embraced the field of melanoma through a variety of major clinical trials and international research collaborations under the guidance of my world-renowned mentors, Drs. Igor Puzanov and Marc Ernstoff. I am currently invested in the advancement of cancer research within topics of immunological implications of stress (adrenergic) pathways, improving real-time biomarker testing to monitor treatment response and/or toxicity, and discovering new therapeutic options for high-risk populations of patients with melanoma.

I consider one of my greatest strengths to be compassionate patient advocacy. I therefore plan to maintain a steadfast commitment to teaching (and empowering) my patients in the clinic, while simultaneously conducting research projects and clinical trials that strive to enhance the knowledge and treatment armamentarium for a variety of cancer types.

In my spare time; I enjoy spending quality time with my friends and family, staying active outdoors during all four seasons throughout the Southern Tier, and watching as many Bills/Sabres/Bandits games as my schedule will allow. Finally, I think it’s important to share that I consider the opportunities of providing cancer-focused care to the Western New York Community and practicing medical oncology within my hometown as easily the greatest privileges, and successes, of my life.

Positions

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Assistant Professor of Oncology
  • Department of Medicine

Background

Education and Training:

  • 2017 - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
  • 2017 - MHSA - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
  • 2011 - MS - Natural and Biomedical Interdisciplinary Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
  • 2011 - MS - Integrated Systems Biology, University of Luxembourg, Limpertsberg, Luxembourg

Residency:

  • 2017- 2020 - Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH

Fellowship:

  • 2020 – 2023 - Hematology/Oncology, State University of New York at Buffalo and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY.

Board Certification:

  • American Board of Internal Medicine

Professional Experience:

  • 2021-2023 - Chief Administrative Fellow, Hematology/Oncology, State University of New York at Buffalo and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
  • 2018-2020 - Clinical Instructor of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
  • 2018-2019 - President, Executive Committee, Cleveland Clinic Internal Medicine Residency, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

Honors & Awards:

  • 2022 - Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Fellows Independent Research Grant recipient
  • 2020 - Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Scholarship in Teaching Award
  • 2017 - LECOM-Erie College of Medicine Student Leadership and Service Award
  • 2017 - LECOM-Erie Masters in Health Services Administration Leadership Award