Roswell Park Appoints Dr. Michael Wong as Physician in Chief to Lead Cancer Care Advancements

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center President and CEO Candace S. Johnson, PhD, announced the appointment of Michael Wong, MD, PhD, FRPC, as the center's first Physician in Chief. Dr. Wong, a distinguished medical oncologist and expert in skin cancer, officially joined Roswell Park on November 18, bringing with him a wealth of experience from leading clinical trials and innovative cancer care programs.

Dr. Wong's most recent role was at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where he served as a Professor in the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Medical Executive for Integration and Innovative Programs for the MD Anderson Cancer Network. His leadership and expertise in oncology have earned him national recognition as one of the country's top oncologists.

"Physician in Chief is a newly created position at Roswell Park, designed to provide our clinical teams with the support and direction necessary to achieve excellence in patient care," said Dr. Johnson, who also holds the M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership.

Mike Wong’s experience and reputation in the field of oncology make him the ideal person to guide our medical staff as we continue to drive improvements in care delivery and patient outcomes."

In his new role, Dr. Wong will collaborate closely with Dr. Johnson and other clinical leaders to shape the culture and performance of Roswell Park’s medical staff, ensuring the highest standards in patient care and quality. He will also continue to provide medical oncology care for melanoma patients as part of Roswell Park’s physician staff.

“I am honored to join such a talented team," said Dr. Wong. "My goal is to help build the infrastructure, methodologies, and culture that will allow our workforce to thrive. This will lead to better outcomes for our patients, faster implementation of new technologies, and enhanced cure rates. I am excited to see the progress we can make together.” Dr. Wong brings a diverse background to Roswell Park, having previously held faculty positions at UPMC Health System, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. He was also an Assistant Professor and Attending Physician at Roswell Park and served as the Adams Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. A prolific innovator, Dr. Wong holds six patents and is the founder of Vali Nanomedical Inc.

Dr. Wong earned a BS in biochemistry, a PhD in experimental pathology, and an MD from the University of Toronto. He completed postgraduate training at St. Michael’s Hospital, Sunnybrook Medical Center/The Toronto Hospital, and a fellowship in molecular biology and biochemistry with the National Cancer Institute of Canada.

He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and has received numerous awards, including the Society of Chemical Industry of Canada’s Gold Key Award and the Emmanuel Farber Award.

The appointment of Dr. Wong is part of a broader strategy by Dr. Johnson to enhance Roswell Park’s clinical care capabilities, with a focus on cutting-edge oncology science and patient-centered care. “Our team at Roswell Park is exceptional,” Dr. Johnson said. “We are making significant strides in immunotherapy, cell therapy, and patient experience, and we are proud to attract top talent to help lead these efforts.”

Dr. Wong’s leadership will further strengthen Roswell Park's position as a national and global leader in cancer care and research.

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