The Roswell Park Scott Bieler Amherst Center opened in September to bring patients in the northern suburbs of Buffalo the same top-tier cancer care they can receive at the downtown Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center campus.
After announcing the project and breaking ground in 2021, patients were welcomed this fall through the doors of the building named for longtime supporter Scott Bieler, President and CEO of the West Herr Automotive Group in recognition of his significant gift to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.
“I am so moved by the Western New York community — they are the driving force behind everything we do,” Scott said. “We are blessed to have met so many wonderful people through the West Herr family, and we have watched countless customers, neighbors, employees and family members face a cancer diagnosis. Just hearing that word, brings immediate emotion, uncertainty and fear to any family that is told their loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. The purpose of this new facility is to bring hope and provide a solution to that diagnosis, it was built to hopefully extend life to all who enter it.”
One patient present for the opening was Courtney Weigand, a “current cancer thriver and survivor” whose husband, Billy, is a West Herr employee. She recently battled a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After an inpatient stay at Roswell Park, she was ready to quickly ring the victory bell and get home without any fanfare. But Billy had arranged for family and friends to surprise Courtney with their cheers and well wishes.
“But the biggest surprise,” Courtney said, “was when Scott showed up with flowers in hand and open arms to congratulate me.” It was an emotional afternoon with everyone she loved. That kind of warmth and hope is what our donors hope patients will feel in the Scott Bieler Amherst Center.
This Williamsville location creates a convenient hub for patients in communities north of Buffalo to receive many of their cancer care services, including clinic visits, diagnosis, imaging, chemotherapy and infusions and survivorship care. The new state-of-the-art facility, spanning more than 30,000 square feet allows Roswell Park physicians, nurses, radiologists and other oncology experts to care for patients in a welcoming and comfortable environment, with onsite blood draw, pharmacy and laboratory services, all while being able to stay close to home.
“We are overjoyed to open the doors on this beautiful building and offer Roswell Park patients even more convenient access to our world-class experts and quality care,” said Candace S. Johnson, PhD, President, CEO and M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership at Roswell Park. “We are forever grateful to Scott and Kathy for their generosity and commitment to making sure the people of this community have access to outstanding cancer care close to home.”
Scott and his wife Kathy have been key supporters of Roswell Park for over 20 years. Scott has served on the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation board since 2002 and West Herr has been the presenting sponsor of the Ride for Roswell for a decade