Proton Therapy News Brief Roundup
Catch up on news and developments at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.
UF Health Team Receives NCI Director’s Award
Daniel J. Indelicato, MD and Carmen Allegra, MD, were honored by the National Cancer Institute, or NCI, for their work on a national committee to develop and implement clinical trials for adolescent and young adult patients with cancer. Their efforts are aimed at improving survival rates for the patient population aged 15-39. Read more.
Dr. Brooks Honored at UF College of Medicine Spring Assembly
Eric Brooks, MD, MHS was honored recently with the UF Department of Radiation Oncology Rising Star Award at the UF College of Medicine spring assembly. Dr. Brooks specializes in breast, lung and lymphoma cancers. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Florida.
The Rising Star Award honors early-career clinical faculty who demonstrate exceptional skill and enthusiasm for patient care, show consistent dedication to quality measures and efficiency and embrace innovations in their chosen fields.
“I am beyond grateful for this recognition. This is a reflection of my incredible colleagues, clinical staff, and mentors to whom I owe all my successes,” said Dr. Brooks. “Thank you to the world-class team I work with every day,” he continued.
The event took place at the George T. Harrell, M.D., Medical Education Building on April 14, 2023. The awards recognize the UF College of Medicine most outstanding, active peers for providing extraordinary service.
Medical Physics Award Presented to Mark Artz, PhD
Mark Artz, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Florida was recognized with the Medical Physics Award at the department’s 53rd Annual Research Seminar. The award honors a medical physicist who exemplifies patient-centered delivery of cancer care through their interactions with the radiation oncology team. Dr. Artz has been instrumental in upgrades to the proton therapy system for efficiency and improved patient care. “Mark has managed our dedicated nozzle project over the past two years, providing excellent leadership and critical technical insight,” said Perry Johnson, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UF and the Director of Physics at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. “He also managed the upgrade of our universal nozzle and successfully achieved a major performance upgrade in our layer switching time.”
Physicians Engage Community in Cancer Awareness
As part of the UF Health Cancer Center, UF Health Proton Therapy Institute physicians are committed to providing access to high-quality health care and empowering people with knowledge about cancer. Recently William Mendenhall, MD, FACR, professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UF, participated in a seminar on prostate cancer organized by the Cancer Center at Springhill Church in Gainesville, Fla. He shared information about new prostate cancer treatments with the gathering of 200 Black men, family members and other community attendees. In other outreach through the Cancer Center’s Cancer Connections series, Raymond Mailhot, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UF, presented a webinar on The Evolving Landscape of Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer. His presentation can be viewed online.
First Coast Living Interviews Eric Brooks, MD, MHS, About Cancer Screening Recommendations
Eric Brooks, MD, MHS, assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UF, was a guest on Jacksonville television program First Coast Living. He discussed the latest recommendations for breast cancer screening and lung cancer screening. Watch his interview here.
Every Gift Makes a Difference
A sincere thank you to all who have directed donations to the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute by using your AmazonSmile account. Amazon recently ended its AmazonSmile customer-directed donation program. If you would like to redirect what you would have contributed through AmazonSmile, you can create a recurring donation directly with UFHPTI. After you select the gift amount, choose the “Recurring Gift” tab to set annual, quarterly or monthly contributions. Gifts of all sizes make a difference in our ability to provide world-class cancer treatment! Please reach out to Kasey Heilman at Kheilman@floridaproton.org for questions.
New Book from Ron Nelson: 10 Years After Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Author Ron Nelson has written a follow-up to his early account of being a prostate cancer survivor, Protons versus Prostate Cancer: Exposed. His new title, 10 Years After Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer, is as engaging as the first book, with personal anecdotes, practical advice for men who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and insights about life following a diagnosis. Ron is a proton ambassador and hosts an annual gathering of proton alumni. For more about his new book click here, and to read his blog click here.
Radiation Oncology News from UF
For more news about the University of Florida College of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology check out their online newsletter here.