Denise A. Rokitka MD, MPH
Denise A. Rokitka
MD, MPH
Clinical Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Anti-Platelet Therapy and Anticoagulation; Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Brain Tumor; Cancer Chemotherapy; Cancer Screening; Cancer Treatment and Prevention; Cardio-Oncology; Clinical Molecular Genetics; Hematology - Clinical Pathology; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Hemostasis / Thrombosis; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunosuppressive Pharmacotherapy; Infertility; Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Pediatrics; Stroke; Transfusion Medicine
Contact Information
Patient Care
Patient Care
This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.
View this physician on UBMDProfessional Summary:
As a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, I care for children from birth through age 21 with a focus on pediatric solid tumors. This includes care for children with illnesses such as germ cell tumors, kidney tumors, bone and soft tissue sarcomas and liver tumors. I diagnose these illnesses and develop treatment plans, often in collaboration with physicians from other specialties such as surgery and radiation oncology. I manage patients who are receiving care at the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital and at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
In addition, I have a special focus on pediatric, adolescent, and young adult survivorship. In this role, I provide education and screening to all pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors, based on risks from previous therapies. I also am the director of Young Adult Cancer and Oncofertility program during which I provide expertise in navigating resources and support for young adults with cancer and consultation regarding fertility preservation prior to starting cancer therapy.
My research is clinical in nature. I participate in clinical trials through the Children’s Oncology Group, the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. I also am the local principal investigator for the NIH funded research through the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study which is coordinated through St. Jude Research Hospital.
I am involved with medical education, providing lectures on pediatric hematology and oncology to University at Buffalo medical students and pediatric residents and fellows.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University at Buffalo/Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2008)
- MPH, Epidemiology, University at Buffalo (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, Young Adult/ Oncofertility Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- Director, Young Adult Survivorship Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018-present)
- Director, Young Adult/Oncofertility Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2018-present)
- Assistant Professor, Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Oishei Children's Hospital (2008-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2008-present)
- Director, Pediatric & Adult Survivorship Clinic, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- Director, Pediatric and Adolescent Survivorship Clinic, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2008-present)
- Staff Physician, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park/ Oishei Children's Hospital (2008-present)
- Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2006–2008)
- On-Call Physician, Erie County Medical Center (2006–2008)
- On-Call Physician, Western New York Hemophilia Center (2006–2008)
Awards and Honors:
- Buffalo Spree Magazine: Top Doctors in Western New York (2016-2023) (2022)
- Castle Connolly: Exceptional Women in Medicine (2019-2023) (2022)
Research Expertise:
- Childhood cancer survivorship
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- January 2019–August 2022
Aromatherapy: An Integrative Option for Symptom Management in Cancer Care
Wilmot Cancer Institute
Role: Principal Investigator - 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 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
Journal Articles:
- Garcia M, Schlecht N, Rokitka DA, Attwood K, Rodriguez EM. (2023) Examining the Barriers and Opportunities for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Delivery in Cancer Care Settings: A Mixed-Methods Study. Cancer Prevention Research (Jun) doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-23-0046
- Garcia M, McGillicuddy C, Rodriguez EM, Attwood K, Schweitzer J, Coley S, Rokitka DA, Schlecht NF. (2022) Human papillomavirus vaccination uptake among childhood cancer survivors in Western New York. Pediatric Blood & Cancer (Aug), 11(69): e29962.
- Balis F, Green DM, Anderson C, Cook S, Dhillon J, Gow K, Hiniker S, Jasty-Rao R, Lin C, Lovvorn H, MacEwan I, Martinez-Agosto J, Mullen E, Murphy ES, Ranalli M, Rhee D, Rokitka D, Tracy EL, Vern-Gross T, Walsh MF, Walz A, Wickiser J, Zapala M, Berardi RA, Hughes M. (2021) Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma), Version 2.2021, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN (Aug), 19(8): 945-977.
- Rokitka D, Heffler J, Zevon M, Kitcho C, Schweitzer J, Rodriguez EM, Mahoney MC. (2021) Designing an exercise intervention for adult survivors of childhood cancers. BMC cancer (Jan), 21(1): 1. doi:10.1186/s12885-020-07763-8
- Claffey AJ, Lal DR, Lautz TB, Rokitka DA, Rothstein DH. (2020) Appendectomy in pediatric patients with synchronous oncologic diagnosis is safe: an analysis using the national surgical quality improvement project, pediatric. Pediatric surgery international (Nov), 36(11): 1333-1338.
- Glaser KM, McDaniel DC, Hess SM, Flores TF, Rokitka DA, Reid ME. (2019) Implementing an Integrative Survivorship Program at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: A Multimodal Approach to Life After Cancer. J Altern Complement Med (Mar), 25(S1): S106-S111.
- Flores T, Glaser KM, McDaniel D, Rokitka D, Amato KA, Reid ME. (2019) Building a comprehensive cancer survivorship program. Ecancermedicalscience (Jan), 13: 992. doi:10.3332/ecancer.2019.992
- Rokitka DA, Curtin C, Heffler JE, Zevon MA, Attwood K, Mahoney MC. (2017) Patterns of Loss to Follow-Up Care Among Childhood Cancer Survivors. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol (Mar), 6(1): 67-73.
- Rokitka DA, Lisac R, Heffler JE, Zimmer M, Mahoney MC. (2016) Suboptimal Vitamin D levels among adult survivors of childhood cancers. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol (Jul), 4(3).
Abstracts:
- Garcia M, McGillicuddy C, Rodriguez E, Attwood K, Schweitzer J, Rokitka D, Coley S, Schlecht N. (2021) HPV Vaccination Among Childhood Cancer Survivors in Western New York. Meeting Proceedings, 34th International Papillomavirus Conference. Virtual, (Nov) Poster
- McDaniel D, Schweitzer JA, Rokitka DA. (2019) Using Reiki to Reduce Chemotherapy-induced side effects in patients and survivors. Society of Integrative oncology 16th international conference. NY City, New York (Oct)
- McDaniel D, Schweitzer JA, Rokitka DA. (2019) Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Management of Chemotherapy-induced Tinnitus in Pediatric patients and survivors. 51st Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology, October 2019; (Lyon, France), Lyon, (Oct)
- Alrazzak M, Bambach BJ, Rokitka DA, Barth MJ. (2014) Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy Secondary to Pegylated Asparaginase Treated with Oral Lactulose Solution and Intravenous Sodium Benzoate/Sodium Phenylacetate. Pediatr Blood Cancer, (May) S48-S48
- Rokitka DA, Va P, Green DM, Mahoney MC. (2008) Second Malignant Neoplasms Among Children and Adolescents Following Treatment for Hodgkin Disease. J Clin Oncol, (May) 10055-10055
Professional Memberships:
- American Society for Clinical Oncology (2010–present)
- American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (2005–present)
- Children's Oncology Group (2005–present)
Presentations:
- "Pediatric & Adolescent Survivorship/ YA and Oncofertility" Oncology Symposium for the Primary Care Provider (2023)
- "AYA Research Retreat" Organized and presented at AYA retreat focused on development of AYA program and research agenda (2022)
- "Pediatric & Adolescent Cancer Survivorship" Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (2022)
- "Adolescent Oncology" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2020)
- "Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Tinnitus in Pediatric Patients and Survivors: A Case Series" 51st Annual Congress; International Society of Paediatric Oncology (2019)
- "Roswell Park Offers Special Support for Young Adults with Cancer" Media Interview; WIVB Channel 4 News (2019)
- "The Internet‘s Most Searched for Questions Related to Young Adult Cancer" Facebook Live; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2019)
- "Childhood-Cancer Survivors Get Infertility Risk Wrong, Require Long-Term Fertility Care" Media Interview; Medscape (2019)
- "Should Pediatric Cancer Survivors Previously Exposed to Neck Irradiation Undergo Ultrasound Screening for Thyroid Cancer?" Media Interview; Hem-Onc Today (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" Invited Presentation; 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" Invited Presentation; 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" Media Interview; Time Warner Cable News (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; University at Buffalo (2012)
- "Survivorship Issues" Roswellness Radio Podcast; Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2011)
- "Hyperleukocytosis: A Medical Emergency" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at 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; University at Buffalo (2009)
- "Pediatric Survivorship" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at 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; University at Buffalo (2007)
- "Acute Chest Syndrome" Pediatric Case Conference; Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2006)
Service Activities:
- To prioritize, create, and test medication order sets within EHR which include chemotherapy, biotherapy, and investigational agents.; Medication Orders Subcommittee- CPOE (2022–present)
- Provide integral feedback on health information technology systems to help improve workflow for providers.; Committee member (2022–present)
- Pediatric lead for harmonization of EHR with provider needs; Provider Informatics Leadership Committee (2022–present)
- Mentor to the current fellow on QA project to improve pediatric survivorship consultation.; Mentor for QA project (2021–present)
- NCCN Wilm's tumor guidelines; Committee member (2019–present)
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics Committee; Committee Member (2010–present)
- Young Adult Translational Research Group; Co-director