Roswell Park's Johnson to receive Distinguished Citizen Award from Great Falls Council, Scouting America

Great Falls Council, Scouting America Press Release & Photo

Dr. Candace S. Johnson, president and CEO, the M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership, and professor of oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will receive the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award from Great Falls Council, Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) at a luncheon ceremony on Tuesday, April 29, at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo.

The Distinguished Citizen Award is an annual honor that recognizes leaders in the community who exemplify the ideals of Scouting through their notable citizenship, leadership and values, and who are active in their communities.

“We are honored to recognize Dr. Johnson as this year’s distinguished citizen,” said Gary A. Decker, CEO and Scout executive of Great Falls Council, Scouting America. “We applaud her exceptional leadership at Roswell Park and her important research and positive impact on improving the lives of cancer patients. We are grateful for her support of Scouting and its mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lifetime.”

Johnson said, “I’m proud of my many connections to Scouting and of the deeply positive impacts Scouting America has had on so many of my colleagues, family members and loved ones. I’m honored to be recognized by an organization that commits so deeply to extending opportunities for early experiences with service, with leadership and with teamwork, which provide a wonderful foundation for later achievements.”

The Distinguished Citizen Luncheon is sponsored by Ruff-Pfalzgraf LLC and West Herr Family Dealerships. Tickets and tables are available by calling Great Falls Council Director of Development Julie Fronckowiak at 716-512-6209.

More about Johnson

Johnson joined the faculty of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in February 2002, and is currently president and CEO, the M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership, and professor of oncology. The first woman to lead Roswell Park, Johnson has steered the expansion of pivotal programs in areas such as immunotherapy, cellular therapies, and community outreach and engagement. She has guided Roswell Park through a period marked by significant growth in both staff and patients served, attracting highly acclaimed physicians and scientists from around the world to Western New York.

More about Great Falls Council

Great Falls Council, Scouting America currently serves more than 5,000 youth in Western New York and the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania with year-round, youth-development programs that foster young people’s leadership, character, citizenship and well-being through indoor and outdoor programs. For more information, visit www.gfcscouting.org or call 716-891-4073.