U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan Visits DHO Labs and Clinic
On August 27, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan visited the Department of Human Oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. There he met with radiation oncologists and medical physicists to learn about the department’s cancer research and latest treatment advances. Read more.
DHO Physician Assistant Margaret Straub Earns UW Health Provider Champion Award
Margaret Straub, a physician assistant in the Department of Human Oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, recently received a 2017 UW Health Provider Champion Award. Read more.
Jennifer Smilowitz Elected Fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Smilowitz, clinical professor in the Department of Human Oncology (DHO) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, has been elected a Fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). Read more.
Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Share their Stories at 2018 Heads Up! Golf Outing
This year’s Heads Up! outing raised $30,000 to support advances in H&N cancer research and clinical care. Click here to read more and view photos from this event.
Dr. Mark Ritter Retires after 30 Years in DHO
Dr. Mark Ritter, professor in the Department of Human Oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, retired from active clinical service on June 30. In a recent interview, he shared thoughts on his career, the department, the field of radiation oncology and his retirement. Read more.
DHO Celebrates Residency Program Graduates
The Department of Human Oncology (DHO) recently celebrated the graduation of three talented residents—Drs. Stephen Rosenberg, Craig Hullett and Abigail Besemer. Read more.
Dr. Michael Bassetti Receives UW Health Rising Star Award
Dr. Michael Bassetti, assistant professor in the Department of Human Oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, recently received a UW Health Rising Star Clinical Excellence Award. Read more.
Next Generation Cancer Trials Should Combine Radiation Therapy With Promising New Cancer Drugs
Patients could see powerful benefits if cancer research included more clinical trials that combined radiation with new targeted therapies and immunotherapy drugs, according to a white paper authored by leading University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center researcher Dr. Paul Harari.
Read more.
Dr. Ravi Patel Earns ASCO Young Investigator Award
Dr. Ravi Patel, a Bentson Translational Research Fellow in the Department of Human Oncology, recently received an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Young Investigator Award in support of his research aimed at improving cancer immunotherapies. Read more.
Dr. Randy Kimple Named Co-Leader of UW Carbone Cancer Center’s Imaging and Radiation Sciences Program
Dr. Randy Kimple, radiation oncology faculty member in the Department of Human Oncology (DHO), has been named co-leader of the UW Carbone Cancer Center’s Imaging and Radiation Sciences (IR) Program. Read more.
DHO Implements the latest MRI-Guided Radiotherapy Technology
In 2014, the radiation oncology clinic at the University of Wisconsin Hospital became one of the first sites in the world to begin treating patients using ViewRay MRIdian, an MRI-guided radiation therapy system. This system enables clinicians to monitor tumors and surrounding tissues during treatment to ensure accurate delivery of radiation. The department continues to lead in this area with its upgrade to a ViewRay MRIdian Linac, the only FDA-cleared radiation therapy system to combine MRI guidance with a linear accelerator (linac). Read more.
Dr. Andrew Baschnagel Honored with ARRO Educator of the Year Award
Dr. Andrew Baschnagel, assistant professor in the Department of Human Oncology, recently received the 2017-2018 Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) Educator of the Year Award in recognition of his outstanding teaching and mentoring of residents in the department. Read more.
Reducing Side Effects During Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Radiation is a very effective treatment for prostate cancer, but in a small percentage of patients it also can cause toxicities to nearby organs, particularly the rectum. To reduce complications for these patients, Dr. Greg Cooley, Department of Human Oncology (DHO) clinical associate professor and radiation oncologist at UW Health East, uses an injectable hydrogel to separate the prostate from the rectum during treatment. Read more.
Dr. Kathryn Mittauer Receives Early Career Medical Physicist Scholarship Award
Dr. Kathryn Mittauer, Department of Human Oncology Bentson Clinical Research Fellow/staff medical physicist, received an Early Career Medical Physicist Scholarship Award at the Winter Institute of Medical Physics. At the meeting, Mittauer gave a presentation about her work on commissioning the department’s ViewRay MRIdian Linac, an MRI-guided radiation therapy system that enables high-precision motion management and on-table adaptive radiotherapy. Congratulations, Dr. Mittauer!
Dr. Zachary Morris Featured in UW Carbone Cancer Center Advances Newsletter
The April issue of Advances, the UW Carbone Cancer Center’s newsletter, includes an article about Human Oncology Assistant Professor Dr. Zachary Morris’ research on combining radiation therapy and immunotherapies to teach the immune system to fight cancer. Read more.
Dr. Zachary Morris’ Research Featured on NIH Director’s Blog
Dr. Zachary Morris, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Oncology (DHO) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, studies the combined use of radiation therapy and immunotherapy to treat cancer. His work was recently featured on NIH Director Francis Collins’ blog. Read more.
Patient Benefits from Specialized Use of Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a technique in which radioactive seeds are inserted directly into the tumor bed to deliver a precise localized dose of radiation. It is most commonly used to treat cancers of the breast, prostate and gynecological tract. In some instances, it also offers an excellent option for other disease sites when typical treatment methods are not possible. Read more.
Grateful Patient Donates Bell to UW Cancer Center–Johnson Creek
One year after completing treatment for prostate cancer, Brad Glassel donated a bell to UW Cancer Center–Johnson Creek for patients to ring to celebrate the end of their treatment. Read more.
Radiation Oncology Shows Its Halloween Spirit
Radiation Oncology personnel show Department Chairman Dr. Paul Harari why the UW Radiation Oncology Clinic is a perennial leader in patient satisfaction every year. Halloween is just one of the many holidays where creative fun and team spirit can help our patients and families through the challenges of cancer treatments. Read more.
Radiation Oncology Resident Dr. Stephen Rosenberg’s Book Clarifies Cancer Concepts for Patients
Dr. Stephen Rosenberg, a UW radiation oncology chief resident, is hoping to help patients and their loved ones understand the complex information that comes with a cancer diagnosis with his book “Cancer: What You Need to Know.” Read more.
Dr. Thomas J. Pugh, Visiting Professor
On Oct. 20, the University of Wisconsin Department of Human Oncology (DHO) had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Thomas J. Pugh, associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Pugh, a talented clinician and researcher with special expertise in genitourinary cancer, served as a visiting professor and shared his perspectives with DHO residents and fellows. Read more.
Dr. Zachary Morris Wins Prestigious NIH Director’s Early Independence Award
Dr. Zachary Morris, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Oncology (DHO) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, has won a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s Early Independence Award. Read more.
Dr. Alan Rapraeger Awarded NCI Funding to Study Myeloma Cell Signaling
Dr. Alan Rapraeger, professor of human oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, has been awarded a five-year, $1.9 million R01 grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate signaling mechanisms that drive myeloma cell proliferation, survival and invasion. Read more.
11th Annual Heads Up! Golf Outing More Than $20,000 for Head and Neck Cancer
The 11th Annual Heads Up! Golf Outing, a fundraiser for head and neck cancer research and treatment at the University of Wisconsin, brought together 130 golfers and more than 180 dinner guests at University Ridge Golf Course on July 24. This year’s outing raised more than $20,000. Read more.
Dr. Andrew Baschnagel Earns Carbone Young Investigator Award
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a difficult disease to treat and cure. The prognosis is particularly poor if it spreads to the brain, which can occur in 20 to 30 percent of patients with this disease. Read more.
DHO Explores New Technique to Improve the Daily Precision of Radiation Therapy
Faculty and staff in the Department of Human Oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health are investigating a new way to adjust radiation treatment plans rapidly to account for subtle anatomical changes that may occur daily during the course of treatment. Read More.