Our History

Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York (HOACNY) was established in 1982 by John J. Gullo, MD and Santo M. DiFino, MD with a vision to serve the community by providing the highest level of quality care to patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders. They were soon joined by Jeffrey J. Kirshner, MD and Anthony J. Scalzo, MD.  These four founding partners have subsequently been joined by physicians who are also dedicated to the HOACNY mission. (Please visit “Our Doctors” to learn about the physician family that leads our organization today.)

Over the years of growing and improving the practice we have cared for patients in various locations and improved locations, as follows.

1993 - To enhance the delivery of comprehensive care to our community, HOACNY offices in the Physician Office Buildings of Crouse, Community-General and St. Joseph’s Hospitals were centralized to one location at the Hill Building in downtown Syracuse. 

1999 - Radiation Oncology Centers were developed in East Syracuse (Brittonfield) and Camillus. 

June 2003 - Medical oncology services from the Hill Building were relocated to a newly constructed, comprehensive 60,000 square foot medical center in East Syracuse’s Brittonfield Parkway that remains the main hub of the practice. 

February 2007 - An additional 13,500 square foot comprehensive center was completed adjacent to the now Upstate Medical University at Community General on Broad Road.

November 2007 - The practice’s commitment to state of the art technology was exemplified with the addition of the CyberKnife – a completely robotic stereotactic radiosurgery system that targets and destroys small and previously inaccessible tumors and lesions anywhere in the body with sub-millimeter accuracy.  It remains the only CyberKnife in Central New York, and in 2013 received status as a standard treatment for prostate cancer, cutting the days of treatment from 45 to 5.  

June 2008 - The practice’s commitment to Wellness and Integrative Therapies was exemplified when a 4,000 square foot wellness center opened in Camillus at Medical Center West.  Our previous office space was transformed into a beautiful, peaceful, healing center that offers Massage, Meditation, Energy Modalities, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Belly Dancing and more.

August 2008 - The practice’s commitment to patients in our community was further enriched when the physicians of the former Syracuse Hematology-Oncology joined our practice.  Benjamin Himpler, MD and Angelie Roman, MD and their staff were welcomed to our family of physicians and healthcare professionals.

April 2012 - We expanded our practice to Auburn integrating the former practice of Roger Tinsley, MD and Margaret Boufal, DO into HOACNY.

March 2013 - We relocated our Auburn practice to the Health Central Building on West Garden Street transforming the third floor of the former high school into 5,000 square feet of healing space, offering state of the art technology and services.

September 2024 - We closed our Onondaga Hill office and opened a new Comprehensive Cancer Center in Camillus that now includes our Community Wellness Center. The new center is much larger than the old office at 21,000 sq feet, includes more space for infusion and a Patient RX Center, as well as room for expansion. 

In keeping with our mission, as healthcare providers, educators and community volunteers, Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is an innovative leader in cancer care, prevention and support services throughout Central New York. Patients and families who live with blood disorders and cancer receive a variety of services from active treatment through remission from our growing and dedicated staff of healthcare professionals and support personnel.  Our team includes highly skilled nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, medical technologists, physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, social workers, dieticians, physical therapists, oncology certified nurses and other gifted personnel to assist patients and their families to meet challenges throughout their journey.  In conjunction with National Cancer Institute clinical research partners, we are also committed to clinical cancer research, with our patients and staff working together to find new and better treatments.