Roswell Park continues to strive for a more diverse workforce, that exceeds the diversity of the region. Below are 2022 numbers (across roughly 3,700 employees).
Our employees 2022
Race or Ethnicity | % of Catchment Area | Total % of Employees |
|---|---|---|
Asian | 2.4 | 8.9 |
Black or African American | 9.8 | 8.7 |
Hispanic or Latino | 4.8 | 2.7 |
Native Americans/Alaska Native | 0.7 | 0.7 |
Two or more races | 4.1 | 1.2 |
White | 82.9 | 72.6 |
Not disclosed | - | 5.2 |
32%
of new hires in 2022 identified as Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or People of Color
64%
of our workforce identifies as female
Our growth over the last decade
We remain dedicated to continuing to build and retain a diverse workforce and to increase job opportunities for all Western New Yorkers. Employment of diverse communities grew significantly over the last decade:
- Nearly 25% more Native Americans and Alaska Natives
- 40% more Blacks and African Americans
- 21% more identifying as Hispanic or Latino
- 120% more representing two or more races
- Among current Roswell Park managers, 52% identify as women and 17.5% that are historically underrepresented — exceeding representation of minoritized backgrounds in our local community as a whole.
Building the pipeline
Roswell Park believes that more diversity in medicine, research, management, and the healthcare workforce requires introductions and interventions as early as possible. These initiatives range from educational and employment opportunities to promoting a healthy environment for children to learn and grow. Below are a few of the many ways Roswell Park reaches out to youth and our community:
- Summer youth employment: Each year Roswell Park hires 100 inner city youth for the summer. We work with Buffalo City Hall on recruitment, but Roswell Park pays 100% of the young Western New Yorker's paycheck. Our summer youth work across campus in labs, clinical spaces, facilities, beautification projects in nearby neighborhoods, and with partner organizations close to their homes.
- NIH-funded NARCH Grant partnership: 14 Indigenous high school and college students from the Akwesasne region of upstate New York participated in educational and experiential learning focused on cancer science through classes and lab activities.
- Education to employment nursing pipeline: Partnership with Trocaire College to provide a path for underserved and diverse individuals from education to employment with Roswell Park in nursing and radiology professions.
- Our Stories program: We delivered, in collaboration with Buffalo Public Schools, five weeks of culturally relevant summer internship learning based on the book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot. The book provided the backdrop for a curriculum that explored health disparities, cancer, clinical trials, the racial implication of science and health and more in-depth topics presented by experts to 15 minority Buffalo Public High School Students.
- Buffalo Prep partnership: Buffalo Prep, an academically focused minority student program with 30 years of experience, allowed us to introduce 130+ of their 5th through 7th grade students to Roswell Park as a research and academic institution. The students experienced the Roswell Park campus, were lead in activities by our Masters and Doctoral students and were taught cancer-related concepts and laboratory techniques.
- Summer experiential programs: High school, college and professional students (nursing and physician’s assistant students) are introduced to real-world cancer research. The programs vary in length from 7 to 10 weeks and impact the future plans of the alumni. Between 2018 and 2021 we hosted 112 students in the program and 20% have been from underrepresented backgrounds. Fifteen alumni have returned for additional training or educational opportunities at Roswell Park. Roughly 25% of those who returned were URM. Finally, six of the experiential program alumni have entered our graduate programs.
Roswell Park Howard University Scholars Program
This program enables honors biology sophomores from Howard University to deeply explore an interest in cancer research under the mentorship of researchers at Roswell Park.
Employee Network Resource Groups (ENRGs)
To engage our workforce and foster an inclusive environment, Roswell Park created staff-led networking groups, called Employee Network Resource Groups (ENRGs). These groups provide direct access to management, allowing the groups to raise issues on behalf of employees. They also provide a space for networking, sharing resources, and celebrating the culture of the group. Roswell Park actively promotes the Employee Network Resource Groups to all staff.
The mission of AREN is to improve the quality of life for all African-Americans within our communities to enhance educational and employment opportunities by (1) promoting Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as a progressively diversified and inclusive environment in which African-American employees are supported in all aspects of their culture, historical significance, and societal relevancy and, (2) by educating, enriching and informing the larger Roswell Park community of the rich cultural contributions of African-Americans to the advancement of research, medicine and overall societal wellness.
Co-chairs: Myia Cheatom Myia.Cheatom@RoswellPark.org and Richard Satterwhite Richard.Satterwhite@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Dr. Jamie D. Smith Jamie.Smith@RoswellPark.org
Email: AREN@RoswellPark.org
To help all employees, whether or not you were diagnosed or treated at Roswell, are a caregiver and/or survivor, affected by cancer by offering them a safe space to connect with resources, gain education, and engage in peer support activities. While we do not offer group therapy, we can provide resources and outside referrals.
Co-Chairs: Maria Turner Maria.Turner@RoswellPark.org and Cassandra Jackson Cassandra.LagjayJackson@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Mary Reid Mary.Reid@RoswellPark.org
Roswell Park career builders is a group dedicated to the pursuit of developing our skills and furthering our careers.
Co-Chairs: Katelyn Woods Katelyn.Woods@RoswellPark.org and Michalle Wahl Michelle.Wahl@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Michelle Moore Michelle.Moore@RoswellPark.org
Join us in our efforts to educate, motivate and support sustainability and environmental stewardship practices at work, home and in the community.
Co-Chairs: Tori Harms Victoria.Harms@RoswellPark.org and Nicole Gerber Nicole.Gerber@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Gary Mann Gary.Mann@RoswellPark.org
The Family First ENRG is a community group designed to engage with employees who have family commitments. Our goal is that anyone and everyone can find a home in our group. Those with any and all aspects of family membership, regardless of role, are invited to engage and grow with us: moms and dads, aunts and uncles, caregivers for the elderly, or any other type of family member is welcome! Through discussions, presentations, fun activities and family-focused events, we are building a supportive, diverse culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance with a focus on the challenges and experiences that are important to families of all shapes and sizes.
Co-Chairs: Marisa Blask Marisa.Blask@RoswellPark.org and Kate Rodenhaus Katrina.Rodenhaus@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Laurel DiBrog Laurel.DiBrog@RoswellPark.org
There is a lot of research in diet to prevent cancer and other health ailments. As part of Roswell Park’s mission to prevent cancer, the Healthy Foods ENRG was formed to bring together Roswell Park employees who enjoy cooking and eating healthy food as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
Co-Chairs: Jaime Roussard Jaime.Roussard@RoswellPark.org and Tracy Curtin Tracy.Curtin@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Ryan Grady Ryan.Grady@RoswellPark.org
By organizing an ENRG for Indigenous issues, we can educate more Roswell Park colleagues about our surrounding Indigenous communities. Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff can work together to enhance diversity on campus. We can also host social events to learn more from one another and identify other interests that align as the group initiates discussions.
Co-Chairs: Corrine Abrams Corrine.Abrams@RoswellPark.org and Debi Jamieson Deborah.Jamieson@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Julia Faller Julia.Faller@RoswellPark.org and Rodney Haring Rodney.Haring@RoswellPark.org
This group is comprised of employees of different faiths and cultures to promote an understanding and tolerant work environment by creating awareness of various religious beliefs, practices and social structures that our employees embrace.
Co-Chairs: Meghana Bapardekar Meghana.Bapardekar@RoswellPark.org and Reninger Flores Reninger.Flores@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Melody Rutherford Melody.Rutherford@RoswellPark.org
The Jewish ENRG is open to all individuals, regardless of religious (or non-religious) affiliation, who wish to support or learn more about the issues facing their Jewish colleagues. Our vision is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, and to engage executive leadership on specific matters affecting their Jewish employees.
Co-Chairs: Michael Feigin Michael.Feigin@RoswellPark.org and Kirsten Moysich Kirsten.Moysich@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Judith Epstein Judith.Epstein@RoswellPark.org
The LGBTQIA2S+ ENRG is open to all individuals, including family and friends of LGBTQIA2S+ persons, who wish to support or simply learn more about LGBTQIA2S+ issues from their colleagues. It promotes Roswell Park as an open and inclusive environment in which LGBTQIA2S+ patients and employees are supported in all aspects of Roswell Park’s care and culture, including receiving optimal care, advancement opportunities, mentoring, and networking.
Co-Chairs: Maansi Bansal Travers Maansi.Travers@RoswellPark.org and Greg Ciupak Gregory.Ciupak@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsors: Jim Kennedy James.Kennedy@RoswellPark.org and David Donovan David.Donovan@RoswellPark.org
We strive to be a supportive community for people of all neurotypes, to educate the greater Roswell Park community about neurodiversity, and to advocate for the rights and dignity of neurodivergent individuals. Vision: To create a safe, comfortable, strengths-based culture at Roswell Park free from stigma, that highlights the advantages of a neurodiverse workforce, where neurodivergent individuals can thrive professionally and neurodivergent patients are provided with care tailored to their specific needs.
Co-Chairs: Amanda Rundell Amanda.Rundell@RoswellPark.org and Emily Foschio Emily.Foschio@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Andrew Storer Andrew.Storer@RoswellPark.org
Roswell Park is proud to have a Toastmasters club on campus, called the Toast of Roswell. At Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches, offering constructive evaluation and leadership skills.
Contact: Patricia Bax Patricia.Bax@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: David Tear David.Tear@RoswellPark.org
Unidos aims to support, empower, and advance the Hispanic-Latinx community at Roswell Park. This group offers culturally and historically relevant programming and initiatives. We also provide a space that welcomes all forms of Latinidad, and the broader community. Our goal is to help educate and forge solidarity between the Hispanic-Latinx community and its allies. Within our spaces and beyond we will foster unity, leadership, diversity, social justice, and Latinx excellence for all.
Co-Chairs: Bernarda Arias Bernarda.Arias@RoswellPark.org and Andrea Bruno Andrea.Bruno@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Elisa Rodriguez Elisa.Rodriguez@RoswellPark.org
The Veterans ENRG has active military employees, veterans from all eras, and family members of active military and veterans. This group looks to assist Roswell Park with honoring Veteran employees, patients, and volunteers. The group hosts a Veterans Honors Ceremony the Thursday before Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The group is also active in community-wide veterans’ events and assists with sharing health information with the veteran community.
Co-Chairs: Aaron Pry Aaron.Pry@RoswellPark.org and Melanie Matthews Melanie.Matthews@RoswellPark.org
Executive Sponsor: Kim Sweeney Kimberly.Sweeney@RoswellPark.org
Career development
Forging new pathways for advancement
Roswell Park management has worked to identify positions and careers that lack a clear path to advancement and to implement career ladders, providing employees more opportunity for leadership and better pay without switching careers. There are careers at Roswell Park that do not require a college degree, removing educational barriers for outstanding leaders. Roswell Park recently implemented new career ladders and advancement opportunities for the following fields:
- Environmental Services
- Patient Access
- Patient Care Technician
- Surgical Technician
- Laboratory Technician
- Administrative Support
Exploring opportunities, building credentials
Roswell Park assists current employees and members of the community in exploring opportunities at Roswell Park and building the credentials to get the job. Roswell Park leads outreach efforts, such as job fairs and career-readiness programs, to proactively reach job seekers in diverse communities.
- Exploring career options and Roswell Park departments
- Helping to match skills to the right job
- Knowing the requirements for the job desired
- Getting the necessary training
- Building the winning resume
- Meeting the people in target department
- Selling skills
The Environmental Services Department is thrilled when we see ES Team members seek out training and advance within Roswell Park. It helps us to expand our partnerships across the campus and helps further our drive for a best in class patient experience. It is a pleasure to support people in finding and using their professional talents to the fullest.Matt Dauria, Director of Environmental Services