Who We Are
History
Pluta Cancer Center was established at Genesee Hospital in Rochester, NY, in 1975 by a grant from the Pluta family. The hospital’s very first cancer treatment facility, Pluta Cancer Center became a valuable resource for comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer care in the Rochester community. When Genesee Hospital closed in 2001, the Pluta family—under the leadership, determination and heart-felt persistence of Andrew Pluta—worked to keep Pluta Cancer Center open.
In March 2003, Pluta Cancer Center moved into its current location at 125 Red Creek Drive in Henrietta, NY. Pluta became New York’s first independent not-for-profit cancer center, offering the latest in radiation therapy technology, chemotherapy treatment and integrative oncology care.
The Center merged with Strong Hospital and the University of Rochester Medical Center in 2012. Since the partnership, patients have been receiving the same compassionate, patient-centered care that Pluta is known for while gaining access to the University’s state-of-the-art research, new technology and clinical research.
The Pluta Cancer Center Foundation, established in 2012, continues to support the patients of Pluta Cancer Center. By providing funds to individual patients, awarding grants, supporting and developing integrative oncology services, and building the knowledge of our front-line caregivers, the Foundation aims to relieve the additional stressors that a cancer diagnosis can cause.
Today, the Foundation continues to grow with the support of the Pluta family, as well as the unending generosity from the community. In addition to helping a greater number of patients each year, the Foundation continues to expand the number of programs offered.
Andy and Helen Pluta
The Pluta Family
Andy and Helen Pluta are the visionaries behind the Pluta Cancer Center of today. Andy is remembered by staff and patients for his kindness. Stories are often told of how he would come into the Center and sit with patients in the waiting room, offering to get them something to eat or drink, or a friendly ear to listen, and never letting on who he was. Since Andy passed away in 2008, Helen continued to be very much a part of the Foundation. By attending events, helping gather donations, stuffing envelopes for invitation mailings, and always bringing a smile and a joke to each conversation, Helen’s care and continued passion for the Pluta Cancer Center is overwhelmingly clear.
With the support of her children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the family continues to ensure that the mission Andy envisioned many years ago continues.
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