Optum® Renews Distinction for Roswell Park’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the first centers in the world to routinely offer blood and marrow transplants (BMT) and other forms of cellular therapy, has been recognized once more as an Optum^® Center of Excellence in BMT for pediatric and adult patients.

Each year, Optum and its Clinical Sciences Institute take a rigorous look at medical centers throughout the country, conducting a stringent evaluation in order to identify Centers of Excellence. Their criteria look at elements such as procedure success, program depth and breadth and treatment planning and coordination.

Roswell Park, which offers advanced therapies and innovative treatments through its Transplant & Cellular Therapy Center, has been identified as a Center of Excellence for BMT since 2005. BMT patients are seen within one week of referral and experience all services — from onsite collection of blood/marrow to a dedicated outpatient clinic — in a single location.

A blood or marrow transplant utilizes hematopoietic stem cells to replace diseased bone marrow for patients with some types of blood-based cancers. A donor supplies healthy stem cells for an allogenic transplant, whereas a patient’s own stem cells are collected for an autologous transplant.

“We are so fortunate to have such a comprehensive team involved in the care of our patients,” says Philip McCarthy, MD, Director of the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Center at Roswell Park. “It’s everyone’s commitment to high standards that aids in survival and quality of life for our patients year after year. The acknowledgment by Optum helps patients and their loved ones to make informed decisions regarding their cancer care.”

Roswell Park is also an Optum Cancer Center of Excellence for adult and pediatric patients, having earned that designation in early 2020.

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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.