The National Association for Proton Therapy

?? The proton therapy community gathered at the The New York Academy of Medicine for an inspiring PTCOG-NA Annual Meeting!? Kudos to PTCOG-NA President Anita Mahajan and local host Charles Simone, Charles B. Simone, II, MD, FASTRO, FACRO of New York Proton Center for the warm welcome. NAPT’s Michael Barron joined attendees for a day filled with impactful discussions and collaboration.? Highlights included:?? ?? Updates on “What’s New in Proton Therapy,” featuring insights on head and neck advancements from MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Steven Frank.?? ?? A keynote by Brad Hoppe (Mayo Clinic) on progress in managing lymphoma with proton therapy.?? ?? Educational sessions on complex head and neck and pediatric cases, led by experts like Stephanie Perkins (Washington University in St. Louis) and Matthew D. Hall (Miami Cancer Institute).? ?? Congratulations to member centers like Covenant Health Thompson Proton Therapy Center, UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, Maryland Proton Treatment Center, and Inova Health for showcasing their research in poster presentations!? It’s always incredible to see the proton therapy community connect and push the field forward. Let’s keep the conversation going—see you at #2025NPC in Philadelphia! ??

??Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2025 National Proton Conference in Philadelphia in partnership with NAPT member Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology! ?? Are you ready to dive into the latest advancements in #ProtonTherapy, cutting-edge clinical breakthroughs, and unparalleled networking? ?? Secure your spot now for early savings and join a global community of proton therapy experts, researchers, and advocates committed to transforming cancer care. Register today for #2025NPC!! ?? https://lnkd.in/gySYpN4t

Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology invites you to join us in April 2025, as we host both the International Symposium on Proton Therapy (April 25-26) and the National Proton Conference (April 26-28) in Philadelphia. Throughout the week we'll be offering tours of our Roberts Proton Therapy Center and hosting receptions and other special activities for guests. Visit the conference websites to learn more and register. We can't wait to see you there! #2025NPC: https://spr.ly/6043qsnRf #ISOP2025: https://spr.ly/6045qsnR7 #ProtonTherapy #RadiationTherapy #ISOP #NPC #ProfessionalDevelopment #CancerTreatment #CancerCare #PennMedicine

?? Know Someone Driving Change in Proton Therapy? Nominate Them for the 2025 NAPT Excellence Awards!??? Whether they’re a passionate patient advocate, a trailblazing clinician, a dedicated caregiver, or a champion for policy change, now’s the time to celebrate their impact! NAPT’s 2025 Excellence Awards are open for nominations, honoring those who lead the way in advancing access, innovation, and excellence in proton therapy. Presented at the 2025 National Proton Conference, these awards will spotlight the individuals and organizations pushing boundaries, improving patient access, and championing the life-saving potential of proton therapy. Nominate a colleague or apply today to shine a light on remarkable contributions! Read more and submit a nomination now! https://lnkd.in/gtgutCRr #ProtonTherapy #ExcellenceInHealthcare #InnovationInMedicine #PatientAdvocacy #CancerTreatment

Last week, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s proton therapy team launched an innovative program, 'Mission: All Systems Go!', designed to ease the fears and anxieties of young cancer patients facing radiation treatment. This program uses NASA-inspired resources to draw parallels between radiation therapy and astronaut training, helping children feel empowered as they navigate their treatment journey. ?? NAPT, a collaborative partner in?supporting?this program, joined Fred Hutch, NASA representatives, and patients’ families at the launch event. Highlights included tours of the NASA-themed control room, a screening of the program’s video narrated by astronaut Dr. Kjell Lindgren, and a special presentation where Lindgren awarded young patients their own “mission” graduation certificates. Assets for the 'Mission: All Systems Go!' program will be available?to NAPT members, providing them with resources to implement similar pediatric programs using NASA-created materials. This toolkit, which will also be accessible to radiation treatment centers across the U.S., includes a variety of NASA-inspired resources designed to create a supportive, space-themed patient experience. It features videos, customizable room decor, posters, artwork for a magnetic countdown board, stickers, and a graduation certificate signed by NASA representatives. Each facility will be able to tailor these downloadable materials from NASA’s website to fit their unique environment, making it easy to bring this inspiring program to young patients everywhere. Stay tuned! NAPT will be sharing details soon on how members can access and download this incredible resource, helping them bring this exciting and supportive new pediatric program to their own facilities. #MissionAllSystemsGo #ProtonTherapy #PediatricCancer #CancerSupport #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #RadiationTherapy

Under the leadership of Tony Wong, PhD, DABR, our medical physics team works tirelessly to make sure our patients receive the most accurate, most advanced and most precise care during #ProtonTherapy treatment. Today is #MedicalPhysicsDay, and we take a moment to thank our team for their hard work. #ShoutOut

? ?? Celebrating International Day of Medical Physics! ?? ? Medical physicists are vital to advancing cancer treatment. Using physics and cutting-edge technology, they develop precise therapies like proton therapy, which targets tumors while sparing healthy tissue. Today, we’re honored to share insights from Guest Contributor: Peng Wang, Ph.D., DABR—Chief Proton Physicist at Inova Health Fairfax Hospital and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Dr. Wang’s article explores breakthroughs in proton therapy, from intensity-modulated and arc therapies to the potential of FLASH therapy. Read the full article on the NAPT website to learn how medical physicists are shaping the future of cancer care: https://lnkd.in/gD_8Yzei Let’s celebrate these innovators and their impact! ?? #MedicalPhysicsDay #ProtonTherapy

? Join us for tomorrow for “Addressing Radiation Therapist Shortages: Solutions in Staffing, Retention, & Recruitment.” with experts Katie Voigt and Hannah Knudsen BS, R.T.(T)(ARRT), of Mayo Clinic Rochester, on strategies to tackle therapist shortages and create supportive, sustainable staffing practices. Pre-registration required! https://lnkd.in/gj3kpbzW

?? ?? Wrapping up Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an essential update on long-term heart health for breast cancer survivors. A new study in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Journal of Clinical Oncology reveals that cardiac dysfunction among survivors increased eightfold over 13 years, particularly impacting those treated with conventional radiation. Proton therapy experts at Texas Center for Proton Therapy contributed insights to this NAPT Research Update, highlighting proton therapy’s potential to reduce radiation exposure to the heart and lungs, helping lower long-term risks for cardiovascular issues. With this groundbreaking data, patients and providers have more tools to choose treatments that prioritize both survival and quality of life. Visit the NAPT website to read the full research update and explore the latest in proton therapy advancements. #BreastCancerAwareness #ProtonTherapy #HeartHealth https://lnkd.in/g-prwXF9

?? Upcoming Webinar Alert! Join us next week for an impactful discussion: "Addressing Radiation Therapist Shortages: Solutions in Staffing, Retention, & Recruitment" ?? In the face of increasing demand, radiation therapy centers nationwide are feeling the effects of staffing shortages. This webinar is your chance to hear insights and innovative solutions from top experts in the field. Featuring a panel featuring guest speakers Katie Voigt and Hannah Knudsen BS, R.T.(T)(ARRT) from Mayo Clinic Rochester: Discover actionable strategies for tackling therapist shortages, fostering a supportive work environment, and building sustainable staffing practices to drive positive change in your organization. ? Seats are limited! Pre-registration is required. ?? Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of radiation therapy staffing! https://lnkd.in/gj3kpbzW