Roswell Park Recognizes Team Members Driving Excellence in Cancer Care and Research

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center recognized outstanding members of its clinical, research and healthcare teams during the second annual Excellence Awards, celebrating individuals whose contributions advance the organization’s mission of delivering world-class cancer care, groundbreaking research and exceptional patient experiences. All winners were nominated by their colleagues at Roswell Park. 

“These award recipients represent the very best of Roswell Park,” says Julia Faller, DO, MS, Chief Medical Officer at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Through their dedication to patients, commitment to scientific discovery, focus on quality and safety, and willingness to collaborate across disciplines, they are helping shape the future of cancer care while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families every day.” 

All 67 nominees across six different award categories were recognized on Thursday, Sept. 10. The six finalists who were presented with awards at that evening event: 

Michael Petroziello, MD – Physician Clinical Excellence Award 

Since joining Roswell Park in 2013, Dr. Petroziello has helped transform interventional radiology services, establishing a nationally recognized liver radiation program that ranks among the top five in the country. He also developed a dedicated interventional radiology clinic to support patients through complex procedures and expanded access to advanced services at the Scott Bieler Amherst Center. Dr. Petroziello’s work continues to advance cancer treatment options while keeping patients at the center of every decision. 

Rohit Gosain, MD – Physician Excellence in Community Oncology Award 

Dr. Gosain, who completed fellowship training at Roswell Park, has dedicated his career to addressing disparities in cancer outcomes between rural and urban populations. He delivers advanced, evidence-based oncology care in community settings while also serving as a global educator through the OncBrothers platform, a widely used resource for oncology professionals. Through the national and international symposiums he organizes, Dr. Gosain expands access to cancer knowledge and expertise worldwide. 

Mary Reid, BSN, MSPH, PhD – Cancer Research Impact Award 

Dr. Reid has been instrumental in developing comprehensive cancer screening and prevention programs, including the expansion of Roswell Park’s lung cancer screening initiative into a coordinated system encompassing risk assessment, imaging, navigation and follow-up care. She also extended these models to additional cancer types and led pioneering research on immunotherapy approaches aimed at intercepting cancer before it develops. Her work exemplifies the impact of translational research by ensuring discoveries reach the patients who need them most. 

Bethany L. Burns, DO – David C. Hohn Award for Excellence in Quality and Safety 

As Acting Director of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Director at the Roswell Park Scott Bieler Amherst Center, Dr. Burns successfully led major modernization efforts, including the implementation of new chemistry instrumentation and an institution-wide transition to a new point-of-care glucose testing platform. Both initiatives were completed without disrupting patient testing services, while strengthening communication and collaboration among laboratory, nursing, information technology and clinical teams. 

Ian Lund, PA – Advanced Practice Provider Excellence Award 

Since joining Roswell Park as an advanced practice provider student in 2010, Lund has become a trusted expert in the care of patients with multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies. In addition to managing a full clinical workload, he has played a critical role in orienting, training and mentoring new advanced practice providers, helping to strengthen the next generation of cancer care professionals. 

Christos Fountzilas, MD, FACP – Bench to Bedside/Team Science Award 

Since joining Roswell Park in 2017, Dr. Fountzilas has worked closely with laboratory scientists to develop new treatment approaches for gastrointestinal cancers. His partnership with researchers led to the launch of an innovative clinical trial based on discoveries involving DNA repair mechanisms in aggressive “p53-mutant” cancers. The work earned a prestigious National Institutes of Health MERIT Award and has opened promising new therapeutic opportunities for patients facing some of the most challenging cancer diagnoses. 

The annual Excellence Awards highlight the extraordinary achievements of Roswell Park team members whose work advances the organization’s mission to eliminate cancer through discovery-driven care that brings hope and cures. 

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From the world’s first chemotherapy research to the PSA prostate cancer biomarker, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center generates innovations that shape how cancer is detected, treated and prevented worldwide. The Roswell Park team of 4,000+ makes compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and services accessible across New York State and beyond. Rated “Exceptional” by the National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country and remains the only one in Upstate New York. To learn more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Roswell Park Care Network, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.