Denise A. Rokitka MD, MPH
Denise A. Rokitka
MD, MPH
Clinical Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Pediatrics
Education and Training:
- MPH, Epidemiology, University at Buffalo (2008)
- Fellowship, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University at Buffalo/Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2008)
- Residency, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo (2005)
- Internship, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo (2003)
- MD, Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine (2002)
- BS, Biology, Canisius College (1998)
Employment:
- Director, Pediatric Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, UBMD Pediatrics, Oishei Children's Hospital (2008-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Pediatrics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo (2008-present)
- Assistant Professor, Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- On-Call Physician, Western New York Hemophilia Center, Erie County Medical Center (2006–2008)
- Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, UBMD Pediatrics, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2006–2008)
Awards and Honors:
- Castle Connolly Medical Ltd: America‘s Top Doctors (2017-2018)
Research Expertise:
- Childhood cancer survivorship
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- January 2014–January 2016
Feasibility of an Exercise Intervention to Enhance Fitness and QOL Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Roswell Alliance Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$30,000 - January 2014–January 2016
Cognitive Functioning and Depression Among Young Adult Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer
Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Role: Principal Investigator
$250,000 - January 2019
Aromatherapy: An Integrative Option for Symptom Management in Cancer Care
Wilmot Cancer Institute
Role: Principal Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Glaser KM, McDaniel DC, Hess SM, Flores TF, Rokitka DA, Reid ME. Implementing an Integrative Survivorship Program at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: A Multimodal Approach to Life After Cancer. J Altern Complement Med. 2019; 25(S1).
- Rokitka DA, Curtin C, Heffler JE, Zevon MA, Attwood K, Mahoney MC. Patterns of Loss to Follow-Up Care Among Childhood Cancer Survivors. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2017; 6(1).
- Rokitka DA, Lisac R, Heffler JE, Zimmer M, Mahoney MC. Suboptimal Vitamin D levels among adult survivors of childhood cancers. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol. 2016; 4(3).
Abstracts:
- Alrazzak M, Bambach BJ, Rokitka DA, Barth MJ. Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy Secondary to Pegylated Asparaginase Treated with Oral Lactulose Solution and Intravenous Sodium Benzoate/Sodium Phenylacetate. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014; 61(S1).
- Rokitka DA, Va P, Green DM, Mahoney MC. Second Malignant Neoplasms Among Children and Adolescents Following Treatment for Hodgkin Disease. J Clin Oncol. 2008; 26(Suppl).
Professional Memberships:
- American Society for Clinical Oncology
- American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Children's Oncology Group
Presentations:
- "Roswell Park Offers Special Support for Young Adults with Cancer" Media Interview, WIVB (2019)
- "The Internet's Most Searched for Questions Related to Young Adult Cancer" Facebook Live, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2019)
- "Should Pediatric Cancer Survivors Previously Exposed to Neck Irradiation Undergo Ultrasound Screening for Thyroid Cancer?" Media Interview, Hem-Onc Today (2019)
- "Despite Potential, Data on Vitamin D's Benefits for Cancer Remain Inconclusive" Media Interview, Hem-Onc Today (2018)
- "Chapter 2: A Cancer Survivor’s Workshop for Living Your Best Life" Workshop on Young Adult Social and Emotional Health, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018)
- "Young Adult Cancer" Facebook Live, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018)
- "Customizing Integrative Oncology for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer" International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health Conference, Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health (2018)
- "The Impact of Cancer on the Young Adult Patient" , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018)
- "The Road Ahead After Treatment Ends: Survivorship Workshop for Young Adult Cancer Survivors" CancerCon 2018, Stupid Cancer, Workshop (2018)
- "What is Survivorship? Treatment Summaries and Survivorship Care Plans" Acupuncture Community Education Event, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018)
- "Designing a Survivorship and Supportive Care Center at a Comprehensive Cancer Center" Survivorship Symposium, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2018)
- "Executive Functioning and Depression Among Adult Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer" 15th International Conference on Long-Term Complications of Treatment of Children and Adolescents for Cancer, St. Jude Children‘s Research Hospital (2017)
- "Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Survivorship" Lunch and Learn Presentation, Olean General Hospital (2017)
- "Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Survivorship" , McKean County Medical Society (2017)
- "Survivorship" Oncology for Scientists, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2017)
- "Feasibility of an Exercise Intervention to Enhance Fitness and Quality of Life Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer" Cancer Survivorship Symposium: Advancing Care and Research, Conquer Cancer Foundation (2017)
- "Strategies Needed to Improve Childhood Cancer Survivors' Adherence to Long-Term Follow Up" Media Interview, Hem-Onc Today (2017)
- "Patterns of Loss to Follow-Up among Childhood Cancer Survivors" Annual Meeting, Society for Integrative Oncology (2016)
- "Suboptimal Vitamin D Levels among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancers" Annual Meeting, Society for Integrative Oncology (2016)
- "Vitamin D Status in Childhood Cancer Survivors" Annual Meeting, Society for Integrative Oncology (2016)
- "More Young People Surviving Cancer, but Fight is Far from Finished" News, Time Warner Cable (2016)
- "Suboptimal Vitamin D Levels Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancers" 14th International Conference on Long-Term Complications of Treatment of Children and Adolescents for Cancer, St. Jude Children‘s Research Hospital (2015)
- "Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy Secondary to Pegylated Asparaginase Treated with Oral Lactulose Solution and Intravenous Sodium Benzoate/Sodium Phenylacetate" Annual Meeting, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (2014)
- "Secondary Cancers" Roswellness Radio Podcast, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2012)
- "Improved Recognition of the Genetic Aspects of Childhood Cancers" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2012)
- "Survivorship Issues" Roswellness Radio Podcast, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2011)
- "Hyperleukocytosis: A Medical Emergency" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2011)
- "Stress Related Quality of Life Domains in Childhood Cancer: A Multidimensional Analysis" Annual Conference, International Society of Paediatric Oncology (2010)
- "Long-Term Survivors' Clinic in the Pediatric Department" Roswellness Radio Podcast, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2010)
- "Life After Cancer" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2009)
- "Pediatric Survivorship" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2009)
- "Second Malignant Neoplasms Among Children and Adolescents Following Treatment for Hodgkin Disease" Annual Meeting, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2008)
- "Secondary Malignant Neoplasms in Long-Term Survivors of Hodgkin‘s Disease" Annual Meeting, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2008)
- "And the Answer is...Leukemia" Pediatric Grand Rounds, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2007)
- "Acute Chest Syndrome" Pediatric Case Conference, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2006)
Service Activities:
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: EMR Task Force; Member (2015–present)
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute: Patient Safety Steering Committee; Committee Member (2012–2015)
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics Committee; Committee Member (2010–present)