Photo Caption: Griffin Foundation presents a $500,000 donation to Oneida Health Cancer Care to complete the expansion of William L. Griffin Medical Oncology Center. (Pictured left to right) Brianna Rossi, RT(T); Debra Walz, AOCNP, WHNP-BC; Jeremiah Sweet, OH CFO; Maya Mathew, MD; Daniel Burgdorf, GCF President; Dyann Nashton GCF Community Liaison; Jonathan Schiller OH CEO; Chuck Schoff, GCF VP; Gary Bartell, GCF Board Member; Kate Trombley OH Foundation; Robert Martinez, MD; Wayne Kegley, OH Director
Oneida, NY – The Griffin Charitable Foundation has announced a generous $500,000 gift to support the completion of an expansion project of the William L. Griffin Medical Oncology Center located in Oneida. The donation to Oneida Health Cancer Care, a member of the Roswell Park Care Network, will provide increased access to National Cancer Institute (NCI)-level cancer care for residents of Central New York.
The recent donation by the Griffin Charitable Foundation in the memories of Dorothy G. Griffin and William L. Griffin marks their third donation to the program since its inception, totaling $2.5 million. “Both Dorothy Griffin and her brother, Bill Griffin, had ties to Roswell Park and Oneida Health,” said Daniel Burgdorf, Varflex President and CEO. “Dorothy’s husband, James, received cancer treatment at Roswell Park and Bill was a patient at Oneida Health at different junctures throughout his life.”
Opened in 2018, the William L. Griffin Medical Oncology Center provided twelve infusion suites, six clinical outpatient exam rooms, a telemedicine conference center, and a consultation room. The recent expansion will support the center’s growing patient demand by expanding the total number of outpatient exam rooms to twelve while also providing additional clinical space for medical providers and clinical staff.
Following the launch of their medical oncology program in 2018 with Roswell Park, Oneida Health opened a radiation oncology program, the Dorothy G. Griffin Radiation Oncology Center, in 2019.
“When the partnership between Roswell Park and Oneida Health was announced with plans for the cancer center project, the Griffins wanted to be a part of it,” Burgdorf said. “We knew it was important to make this additional investment in the cancer center on their behalf now that they’re both gone.”
In 2016, Oneida Health was awarded a grant from the New York State Department of Health for $6.75 million to expand oncology services to Central New York in partnership with Roswell Park. That state investment has been further supported by regional donors like the Griffin Charitable Foundation who have contributed to Oneida Health and Roswell Park’s mission of delivering the highest quality cancer care available in Central New York.
“Everyone deserves access to the best health care,” said Jonathan Schiller, President and CEO of Oneida Health. “The generosity and support of The Griffin Charitable Foundation continue to make that a reality for our community. Together, with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, we share a singular vision for providing our region with the highest quality of cancer care that meets NCI guidelines and local access to some of the latest treatment options from a nationally ranked cancer center.”
“We thank the Griffin Charitable Foundation for their continued support,” said Schiller. “Their generosity is helping to save lives.”
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About The Griffin Charitable Foundation:
The Griffin Charitable Foundation’s mission is to celebrate the legacy of the Griffin family, who owned and operated Varflex Corporation in Rome for several generations. The Griffin Charitable Foundation strives to enhance the quality of life in Rome and surrounding communities. By using its resources, the Foundation contributes to and supports not-for-profit organizations that work daily to improve the lives of our citizens.
About Oneida Health:
Oneida Health is a regional integrated healthcare network based in Oneida, NY operated by Oneida Health Systems, a New York State not-for-profit corporation. From a four-bed hospital in 1899 to a local leader in patient care, Oneida Health has a singular vision for providing the highest levels of patient safety and experience through the perfect pairing of talented medical professionals and state-of-the-art technology. Offering physical rehabilitation, primary and specialty care, an award-winning hospital, and skilled nursing, Oneida Health invests in the health of our communities through a network of health services focused on long-term health and prevention.