Roswell Park CEO Johnson Named Woman of Distinction

Albany, NY– Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s President & CEO Dr. Candace S. Johnson will join other prominent New York women– including Susan B. Anthony, Lucille Ball and Harriet Tubman– as one of the newest inductees of the Women of Distinction program.  

She is the first female leader of the 118-year-old comprehensive cancer center, holding the Wallace Family Chair in Translational Research, and also serving as Professor of Oncology.  State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer nominated her for outstanding contributions in enriching the quality of life in Western New York. 

“The focus of Candace and her entire team at Roswell Park Cancer Institute is to understand, prevent and cure cancer,” said Ranzenhofer.  “I have worked alongside her many times over the years, and I am continually impressed by her leadership and vision.  Under her direction, she has recruited the very best scientists and physicians from around the world and improved care for cancer patients.”  

Dr. Johnson will visit the State Capitol next week for a special induction ceremony.

“This is an incredibly proud and joyful moment for me,” said Johnson. “I have been moved and inspired by the passion, dedication and determination of the women so fittingly honored as New York State Women of Distinction, and now it’s up to those of us in leadership positions today to build up the great women all around us and highlight the amazing work they’re doing.”

Dr. Johnson joined the faculty of Roswell Park Cancer Institute in February 2002, and is currently the Institute’s 15th President and CEO.  Prior to that, she was Deputy Director of the Institute and also Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Her major responsibilities were to facilitate the seamless bench-to-bedside development and delivery of promising new cancer therapies.

From 1997 to 2002, Dr. Johnson served as Deputy Director of Basic Research at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, and Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Dr. Johnson earned her doctoral degree in Immunology from Ohio State University, Columbus. She completed research and postdoctoral fellowships in Immunology/Cell Biology at the Michigan Cancer Foundation, Detroit.

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