BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center introduced the center's first-ever Physician in Chief on Monday. Doctor Michael Wong will help guide a team of doctors to address the center's biggest priorities in cancer research, treatment, and delivery of care.
Dr. Wong is a medical oncologist and skin cancer expert who joined the team at Roswell on Nov. 18. He is a widely respected oncology innovator, according to Roswell, and has led numerous clinical trials.
Most recently, Dr. Wong was on staff at another National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where he was Professor in the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, and Medical Executive for Integration and Innovative Programs for the MD Anderson Cancer Network.
“Physician in Chief is a new role at Roswell Park, created to give our clinical teams the support and direction that will help us reach our goals for individual and center-wide performance. I can think of no one better to provide that insightful guidance and enthusiastic encouragement than Mike Wong,” Dr. Johnson, M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership, said in a release from Roswell. “Dr. Wong comes to Buffalo and to Roswell Park after leadership roles at other major cancer centers, and he is simply one of the most respected and accomplished oncologists across the country.”
Dr. Wong will work alongside Dr. Johnson and other clinical leaders to focus on patient care, quality, and delivery as well as provide medical oncology care for melanoma patients.
"My major task is to bring this team together to build the structure, the processes, the culture that enables us to success, and really success personally in the field of cancer," Dr. Wong said. "You know like the Bills, it's a team approach. It's a running game, it's a throwing game, it's everyone."
Dr. Wong is the latest of more than 20 Roswell Park leaders Dr. Johnson has appointed to build on the cancer center's mission in clinical care.