Health Commissioner Names New Roswell Park C.E.O.

Albany, January 31, 1997 – New York State Health Commissioner Barbara A. DeBuono, M.D., today announced that David C. Hohn, M.D. has been selected to be the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, in Buffalo.

"The selection of Dr. David Hohn to run Roswell Park is an important step in helping the facility adapt to the rapidly changing health care marketplace and position it to prosper in the future," said Dr. DeBuono. "Dr. David Hohn's skills, experience and leadership bring the right tools at the right time to Roswell Park. It is a real tribute to Roswell's reputation and potential that we were able to recruit a physician of his caliber."

"Momentous changes in our systems for funding and delivery of health care pose a particularly daunting challenge to Roswell Park at this time," Dr. Hohn said. "I am convinced that we can combine the strength of Roswell Park's faculty and staff, the proud support of the Buffalo community, the genuine concern of legislators concerning Roswell Park's future, and the clear commitment of support by Health Commissioner DeBuono and Governor Pataki to build creative solutions to Roswell Park's problems."

Dr. Hohn, a resident of Houston, Texas, is a surgical oncologist and is currently Vice President for Patient Care at the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Hohn's experience in his ten years at M.D. Anderson includes surgery, research, clinical practice and administration. He has also played a major role in Anderson's re–engineering and strategic planning processes and in legislative initiatives that have allowed that facility to adapt to changes in health care and respond to the expanded role of managed care.

"Roswell Park is a world renowned comprehensive cancer research and treatment center," said Dr. DeBuono. "Governor Pataki's important initiatives this year to give the facility the freedom and flexibility it needs to prosper will also give Dr. Hohn the ability to effectively manage Roswell now, and in the future. Dr. Hohn is committed to assuring Roswell Park's place as a leading cancer care center in the 21st century."

Dr. Hohn will begin at Roswell on February 15, 1997. His immediate goals will be to:

  • Work with the State Health Commissioner, the Governor's Office, members of the legislature and the staff of Roswell Park to effectuate the governance changes necessary for Roswell's future viability.
  • Initiate a formal, comprehensive review of Roswell's research programs and develop a plan for research excellence to serve as a template for the Institute's continued commitment to "cutting edge" cancer research.
  • Develop an organizational structure to implement the governance change and respond to managed care.
  • Develop a strategic marketing plan to expand Roswell's market share beyond Buffalo to neighboring states and other niche cancer markets.
  • Develop a five–year fund raising initiative that has goals for future endowments to help fund long term capitalization and research activities.

Hohn is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Illinois School of Medicine. His post graduate training included a surgical internship at Rush–Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago and surgical residency at the University of California at San Francisco. After completing his residency in 1978, Dr. Hohn worked at the University of California at San Francisco until 1987. From 1982 until his departure in 1987, Dr. Hohn was an Attending Physician at the University's Cancer Research Institute. He has worked at M.D. Anderson since 1987, initially serving as Attending Surgeon, Director of Clinical Research, and Surgical Oncology, and Deputy Director of all surgical departments in the Division of Surgery. During 1991–92, Dr. Hohn served as Special Assistant for Facilities Planning to M.D. Anderson's President. In 1992, Dr. Hohn was appointed Vice President for Patient Care, a post he has held until his appointment at Roswell.

"I am committed to maintaining Roswell Park's long tradition of excellence in cancer research, innovative cancer treatment and compassionate cancer care," Dr. Hohn said. "I feel privileged to be selected for this prestigious and challenging leadership opportunity. Together, we will succeed."

Dr. Hohn will receive a total compensation package of $485,000 made up of state salary and income from the Institute's clinical practice plan.

1/31/97–13 OPA