I grew up in the Washington DC area where I completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in Modern European history at the University of Maryland and The Catholic University of America. I teach courses in European history and in the history of medicine including the History of Western Medicine I and II and American Medicine and Cultures. My research specialization has been in the history of childhood cancer in the UK, Europe and the United States in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This work focuses on the historical development of curative therapies, epidemiological histories of causes of childhood cancers, and survivorship/disability history. Most recently I have also moved into the areas of both pediatric and adult asthma, emphasizing historical and present health disparities, environmental context, and similarities to childhood cancers.

Education

• B.A., University of Maryland (College Park, MD)-History
• M.A., University of Maryland (College Park, MD)-History
• PhD., The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.)-History

Publications

• Rohrer, RL. “Childhood cancer then and now: reflections on experience and survivorship.” Pediatric Blood and Cancer. SIOP abstracts. October 2023.
• Rohrer, RL. “Pediatric asthma in the UK since 1945: treatment, disparities, and impact.” Archive of Disease in Childhood.” London. May 2023.
• Rohrer RL. "Prenatal role of medical radiation in children diagnosed with a blood cancer: single institution study, 2006-2016." Proceedings. American Association Cancer Research. Sao Paulo. July 2018.
• Rohrer RL. "Drug development for pediatric cancers in the UK and US, 1940s to the present." Archives of Disease in Childhood. April 2016.
• Rohrer, RL. "Survivorship issues and care in childhood cancer: a history of global disparity."" Pediatric Blood and Cancer. November 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "American Society Pediatric Hematology Oncology" in Cancer and Society. Sage Publishing. September, 2015.
• Rohrer RL "Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Society" in Cancer and Society. Sage Publishing. September 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia" in Cancer and Society. Sage Publishing. September 2015.
• Rohrer RL "Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia" in Cancer and Society. Sage Publishing . September 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Childhood Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma" in Cancer and Society Sage Publishing September 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Donald Pinkel " in Cancer and Society. Sage Publishing. September 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Children without hope: children with cancer in the pre-therapeutic age". Archives of Disease in Childhood. April 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Late effect issues by historical decade" Abstracts, European Society Late Effects Childhood Cancer. Amsterdam. September 2014.
• Rohrer RL. “Pre-conception and in utero exposure to medical radiation in pediatric cancers: UK and U.S. Comparison." Proceedings, Children with Cancer UK Conference. Royal College of Surgeons. London. May 2014.
• Rohrer RL. “Medical radiation as a source of exposure in children diagnosed with a blood cancer, 2000-2012.” Center for Disease Control/National Institutes of Health. October 2013.
• Rohrer RL. “Clinical trials in pediatric oncology: the National Cancer Institute leukemia research program, 1948-1962.” American Journal of Epidemiology. (2013) 177 (suppl 11)
• Rohrer RL. “A History of British curative treatment in childhood cancers in the modern era". Proceedings, European Society of the History of the Human Sciences. July 2013.
• Rohrer RL.. "Visitors to Children with Cancer: The Experience of the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 1995-2005" in Graham Mooney ed. Permeable Walls. Clio Medica. Wellcome Institute, University of London, 2009.
• Rohrer RL. “Clinical trials and issues of informed consent in childhood cancer.” Royal College of Pediatrics. Archives of Disease in Childhood. April 2009.
• Rohrer RL. Comparison of psycho social issues between transplant patients diagnosed with ALL or AML" Pediatric Blood and Cancer. May 2008.
• Rohrer RL, Goyal RK. " Historical issues of blood and marrow transplant for childhood cancers." Pediatric Blood and Cancer. November 2007.
• Rohrer RL. “Supportive care and treatment of children with cancer, 1950-1980.” Proceedings, American Association for the History of Medicine. May 2005.
• Rohrer RL. "Pioneers in pediatric oncology." Pediatric Blood and Cancer. April 2005.
• Rohrer RL. "Comparison of UK and US clinical trials in childhood cancers, 1970-1990." Archives of Disease in Childhood. April 2004.
• Rohrer RL. "Historical developments relating to educational Issues in childhood cancer patients and survivors." Proceedings of the American Academy of Pediatrics. October 2003.
• Rohrer RL, Goyal RK. “Milestones in the development of curative therapy for children with cancer, 1930-1980.” Journal of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology. April 2003.
• Rohrer RL, Goyal RK, Vietti TJ. "Major therapeutic advances in the treatment of children with acute leukemia, 1945-1970" Pediatric Blood and Cancer. April 2003.

Awards

• Invited Lecturer, University of Pittsburgh Medical School 2013
• Dean's Endowed Scholarship University of Pittsburgh Graduate School in Public Health 2010
• Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Research Grant 2007
• College of Physicians of Philadelphia Research Grant 2003
• Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. ECHO Project in Digital History Grant 2003
• Wellcome Institute University of London Research Grants 2002, 2003
• National Institutes of Health History of Medicine Division. Pisano Research Grant. 2002
• Rockefeller University. Fellowship in the History of Biomedical Sciences 2002
• National Science Foundation. Harvard College. Teaching Seminar Nonwestern Medical Traditions 2002

Organizations

• American Association of the History of Medicine
• American Historical Association
• Association Medical Humanities
• British Society for the History of Science
• European Association for the History of Medicine
• Society Social History of Medicine
• Twentieth Century Medicine Group, Wellcome Institute University of London
• American Academy of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Section
• American Academy of Pediatrics- History Section
• American Association Cancer Research, Associate Member
• American Society Clinical Oncology
• American Society Pediatric Hematology Oncology
• SIOP- International Society Pediatric Oncology
• Society Epidemiological Research
• Advocate, Leukemia Lymphoma Society
• Advocate, National Childhood Cancer Foundation
• Founding Member, Advisory Board, Hematology/ Oncology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 2000-
• Volunteer, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Hematology/Oncology
• Volunteer, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Volunteer, Our Clubhouse (formerly Gilda's Club) for Cancer Support Pittsburgh

Presentations

• Rohrer, RL. "Racial and economic disparities in the survival of children with cancer, 1960s to the present." Society Social History of Medicine. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow UK. July 2024. (accepted)
• Rohrer, RL. “Childhood cancer then and now: reflections on experience and survivorship.” International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Ottawa, Canada. October 2023.
• Rohrer, RL and Wenzel SE. “Asthma and environmental health in the Pittsburgh region: translational research and its public mission.” European Association for the History of Medicine and Health. University of Oslo. September 2023.
• Rohrer, RL. “Childhood cancer in the age of covid-19.” Association Medical Humanities. University of London. July 2023.
• Rohrer RL. “Paediatric asthma in the UK since 1945: treatment, disparities, impact.” Paper. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. University of Glasgow UK. May 2023.
• Rohrer RL. “Asthma and environmental health in Pittsburgh: healthcare disparity and responses.” Poster. American Association History of Medicine. Ann Arbor MI. May 2023.
• Rohrer, RL. “Medical History and Departmental Outreach”. American Historical Association Annual Meeting. January 2022.
• Rohrer RL. “The role of symptomatic and palliative treatment in pediatric cancers, 1940s to the present.” History of Science Society. New Orleans. November 2021.
• Rohrer, RL. “The impact of COVID-19 on treatment and follow up in children with cancer: US and UK comparisons.” International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) online congress. October 2021.
• Rohrer, RL. “Cancer Cures and Catholic Sainthood: The Case of Mother Seton and Ann Theresa O’Neill.” European Association History of Medicine and Health. University of Leuven online. September 2021.
• Rohrer, RL. "Childhood Cancer in the Age of Covid 19.” Centre for Modern Studies Twitter Conference. University of York, UK. June 2020.
• Rohrer, RL. ‘“Cancer Objects, Narratives and Images.” Association Medical Humanities. University of Plymouth, UK. June 26-28, 2019.
• Rohrer RL. Society International Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Washington D.C. October 2017.
• Rohrer RL. International Conference Pediatrics. Rome. June 2017.
• Rohrer RL. "Total care of the whole child: the development of psycho social services in pediatric cancer, 1930s to the present." Society Social History of Medicine. Canterbury UK. July 2016.
• Rohrer RL. "False hope: the ethics of therapy in children with cancer, 1940-1970." Triennial Three Societies Conference/British Society History of Science/Canadian Society History of Science/History of Science Society. Vancouver BC. June 2016.
• Rohrer RL. "Drug development in pediatric cancers: 1940s to present." Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health/ British Society of History of Pediatrics. . Liverpool UK April 2016.
• Rohrer RL. "Survivorship in bone marrow transplantation for pediatric leukemias, 1995-2005." American Association Cancer Research-Recent Advances in Pediatric Research. Ft. Lauderdale FL November 2015
• Rohrer RL. "Survivorship issues and care in childhood cancer: a history of global disparities." International Society Pediatric Oncology (SIOP). Capetown South Africa October 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Early effects in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation, 1995-2005." International Pediatrics Conference. London UK September 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Children without hope: treatment and disability of children in the pre-therapeutic age, 1900-1960". University of Swansea UK British Society for the History of Science. July 2015.
• Rohrer RL. "Cure of the whole child": an historical overview of cancer survivorship in the a United States, 1930 to present". Royal College of Pediatrics. Birmingham UK. April 2015.
• Rohrer RL American Association Cancer Research. New Horizons in Cancer Research. Xiamen, China. October 2014.
• Rohrer RL "Historical focus on childhood cancer survivors, 1960-2014: longevity, awareness and new approaches." International Society Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Toronto. October 2014.
• Rohrer RL "Case report: the development of curative therapy for childhood all, 1940-1970: a discussion. American Academy of Pediatrics. October 2014.
• Rohrer RL European Society Late Effects of Childhood Cancer. Amsterdam. September 2014.
• Rohrer RL "Pre-conception and in utero exposure to medical radiation, 1990-2010." Children with Cancer UK Conference. Royal College of Surgeons. London. May 2014.
• Rohrer RL "Survivorship studies of children with cancer, 1970-2000." National Cancer Research Institute. Liverpool UK. November 2013.
• Rohrer RL "Medical radiation as a source of exposure in children diagnosed with a blood cancer "Center for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health. NIH Bethesda MD. October 2013.
• Rohrer RL "Global perspectives in childhood cancer: availability of treatment and parental attitudes towards cancer as a disease." Association Medical Humanities. Aberdeen UK. July 2013.
• Rohrer RL "A history of curative treatment for childhood cancers in the modern era, 1940-1970." European Society for the History of Human Sciences. Wurzburg. July 2013.
• Rohrer RL "Clinical trials in pediatric oncology: the National Cancer Institute leukemia research program, 1948-1962." Society Epidemiologic Research. Boston. June 2013.
• Rohrer RL "Emotions and the childhood cancer experience in the United States, 1930 to present." Society Social History of Medicine. London. September 2012.
• Rohrer RL "Environmental exposures in childhood cancers: retrospective study. : International Society Pediatric Hematology Oncology (SIOP) London. September 2012.
• Rohrer RL "Targeting young adult survivors of childhood cancer in the post-cure age." National Cancer Conference. Washington D.C. August 2012.
• Rohrer RL "Environmental exposures and childhood cancer: US and UK historical perspectives, 1960-2010." European Association Cancer Research Barcelona. September 2012.
• Rohrer RL "Wards and patients: Memorial Cancer Hospital and the beginnings of psycho social care of children with cancer, 1930-1965." Association Medical Humanities. Cork. July 2012.
• Rohrer RL "Pre-natal, in utero and early childhood environmental exposure to medical radiation." International Conference on Childhood Cancer Environmental Exposures. London April 2012.
• Rohrer RL "Child as patient, child as subject: the historical development of informed consent in pediatric cancer, 1940-2010. European Association for the History of Health and Medicine. Utrecht. August 2011.
• Rohrer RL "Improving outcomes for children undergoing blood and marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia: historical perspectives." International Society of Pediatrics. Johanesburg. August 2010.
• Rohrer RL "Historical perspectives on the experiences and outcomes of early bone marrow transplantation in the UK." British Society for the History of Science. Aberdeen UK. July 2010.
• Rohrer RL. "Historical perspectives on transplant experience for childhood leukemias in the US and UK, 1980-2000." Society Social History of Medicine. University of Durham UK. July 2010.
• Rohrer RL. "The role of the under aged child in the informed consent process for pediatric cancers." Association Medical Humanities. Truro UK July 2010.
• Rohrer RL "Informed consent issues and process in pediatric oncology. " Pediatric Ethics Conference. Cleveland Clinic. April 2010.
• Rohrer RL. "Epidemiological studies in pediatric cancers, a neglected area." American Osler Society. Cleveland Clinic. April 2009.
• Rohrer RL. “Patient spaces in pediatric oncology.” Association for Medical Humanities. University of Glasgow UK . July 2008.
• Rohrer RL. British Society for the History of Science. Keble College Oxford UK July 2008.
• Rohrer RL. SIOP Mumbai, India November 2007.
• Rohrer RL. "Childhood cancer as a disability, 1940-1990". Society Social History of Medicine Special Conference on Disability University of Swansea. Swansea UK October 2007.
• Rohrer RL. "The development of supportive therapies in the pediatric leukemia trials of the 1960s." American Association History of Medicine. Halifax. May 2006.
• Rohrer RL. Drug and Chemotherapy Development Conference. Oxford University UK July 2005.
• Rohrer RL, Goyal RK. American Society Pediatric Hematology Oncology. San Francisco, May 2004.
• Rohrer. RL "Impact of childhood cancer therapy on school age children, 1960-2000." American Academy of Pediatrics. New Orleans , LA. November 2003.
• Rohrer RL. "Patient narratives of childhood cancer: an introduction." Second Annual Conference on Global Health Perspectives. St. Hilda's College Oxford UK . July 2003.
• Rohrer RL. "Sidney Farber and the first designer drug for cancer." American Osler Society. Cleveland Clinic. April 2003.
• Rohrer RL. " The experience of childhood cancer: patient and physician, 1945-1965." British Society for the History of Science. York UK. July 2003.
• Rohrer RL "Cranial radiation for the treatment of childhood leukemia, 1965-1990". Society for the Social History of Medicine. Manchester UK July 2003.
• Rohrer RL. " The pediatric cancer program of Memorial Hospital:1935-1955." American Association History of Medicine. Boston. April 2003.
• Rohrer RL. "The NIH Leukemia Service and clinical trials in childhood leukemia, 1955-1975." Pisano Lecture. National Institutes of Health. Bethesda MD. September 2002.
• Rohrer, RL. "The role of the National Cancer Institute in the establishment of pediatric clinical trials:1953-1965". American Association for the History of Medicine. Kansas City, MO. April 2002.
• Rohrer, RL. "Sources and questions in the historical study of children with cancer in the twentieth century." Southern Society for the History of Medicine. New Orleans, LA. February 2002.

Achievements

• History Department Coordinator
• Faculty Senate Executive Council
• Chair, Rank and Tenure Committee
• Chair, Professional Development Committee
• Graduate Advisory Council
• Admissions Committee
• Liberal Arts Curriculum Committee
• Phi Alpha Theta
• Phi Delta Gamma