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 is in the history of childhood cancer in 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.

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. “Pediatric asthma in the UK since 1945: treatment, disparities, and impact.” Archive of Disease in Childhood.” London. April 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. “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 a Science. July 2015.
• Rohre 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.mJuly 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 2017-
• Faculty Senate Executive Council, 2014-
• Chair, Rank and Tenure Committee, 2006-2014
• Chair, Professional Development Committee, 2015-2016
• Chair, Western Cultures Advisory Board
• Graduate Advisory Council
• Admissions Committee
• Liberal Arts Curriculum Committee
• Faculty Advisor, History Club
• Phi Alpha Theta
• Phi Delta Gamma