Dr. Grace Blitzer Earns RSNA Grant for Research on Salivary Function in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Dr. Grace Blitzer, a UW radiation oncology resident, recently earned a Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Resident Research Grant. This $30,000 award supports a project that will generate preliminary data on the use of stem cell therapy for radiation-induced xerostomia, or dry mouth, in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Read more.
Dr. Jessica Schuster Wins UW Health Regional Services Excellence Award
Dr. Jessica Schuster, assistant professor in the Department of Human Oncology and radiation oncologist at UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek, recently received a UW Health Regional Services Excellence Award. Read more.
Dr. Rupak Das Retires After 22 Years in DHO
Dr. Rupak Das, professor in the Department of Human Oncology, retired from active clinical service on May 30 after 22 years. During his time in the department, Das made significant contributions, most notably in brachytherapy and resident education. In a recent interview, he shared thoughts on his career. Read more.
Dr. Zachary Morris Receives Shaw Scientist Award
Dr. Zachary Morris, assistant professor in the Department of Human Oncology, received the 2019 Shaw Scientist Award from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. The award, which comes with $200,000 in seed funding, will support Morris’ research on how different doses of radiation therapy may impact the ability of a patient’s immune system to recognize their cancer and how radiation dose may affect the susceptibility of cancer cells to that immune response. Read more.
Dr. Pippa Cosper Earns ASCO Young Investigator Award and RSNA Research Fellow Grant
Dr. Pippa Cosper, a Bentson Translational Research Fellow in the Department of Human Oncology, recently received two grants to support her study of the role of chromosomal instability as a potential mechanism and marker of radiation sensitivity in head and neck and cervical cancer: an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Young Investigator Award and a Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research Fellow Grant. Read more.
Dr. Jacob Witt Earns 2nd Place at UWCCC Research Retreat for Presentation on MRI-Guided SBRT
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)—a technique for delivering precise high dose external beam radiation—can be used to target metastatic lesions in the spine. But treating certain spinal lesions can be challenging given their proximity to the spinal cord and nerve roots. In a presentation that won second place for trainee oral presentations at the recent UW Carbone Cancer Center Research Retreat, Dr. Jacob Witt, a UW radiation oncology resident, outlined a new MRI-guided SBRT approach for spine metastases that potentially offers “higher confidence in terms of what we’re treating and, importantly, what we’re not treating.” Read more.
Dr. Matthew Witek Featured in Story about UW Health’s Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening
Dr. Matthew Witek, assistant professor in the Department of Human Oncology, was featured in a Spectrum News story about UW Health’s recent free head and neck cancer screening. The screening, which took place on April 12, is an annual event intended to detect head and neck cancer in its early stages. Early detection can increase a patient’s likelihood of survival and reduce treatment side effects.
DHO Excels in MR-Guided Pancreas Competition
Congratulations to Tera Kruser, UW Health dosimetrist, and Dr. Kate Mittauer, DHO staff physicist, for their excellent showing in the recent MR-guided pancreas ProKnow Plan Study. Each participant in this competition, which was open to all ViewRay Users, created a pancreas stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) plan for the same case study. Kruser’s plan came in fourth place and Mittauer’s ranked fifth. Their performance is a testament to the success of the department’s MR-guided radiation therapy program, and their plans will serve as a resource for others to improve their radiation treatment planning techniques.
UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek Begins Treatment with New State-of-the-Art Radiation Therapy Technology
On Jan. 14, the UW Cancer Center Johnson Creek commenced cancer patient treatments in a freshly upgraded radiation oncology clinic. At the heart of this upgrade is a highly sophisticated and newly commissioned Varian TrueBeam Radiotherapy System. This state-of-the-art linear accelerator will enable the clinic to provide cancer patients in Southeastern Wisconsin convenient access to many high-precision radiation treatments available at the UW Carbone Cancer Center in Madison. Read more.
Handmade Quilts of Compassion
Denise Wright recently delivered 27 handmade quilts to the Radiation Oncology Clinic at University of Wisconsin Hospital, where her brother completed treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer eight years ago and remains cancer-free. The quilts—and others she will make in the future—are intended for patients who are having a particularly difficult treatment experience or whose family is struggling emotionally or financially. Read more.
Dr. Zachary Morris and Colleagues Earn NIH Cancer Moonshot Grant
Dr. Zachary Morris, assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin Department of Human Oncology, Dr. Jamey Weichert, associate professor in the Department of Radiology, and their team of collaborators have earned a five-year, $2.5 million National Institutes of Health Cancer Moonshot grant for research aimed at improving cancer immunotherapy. Read more.
Hockey Champs
When not caring for cancer patients at UW, Radiation Oncologists Michael Bassetti and Matthew Witek are leading Team World Domination to a Sun Prairie Hockey League Championship and bringing the “Stanley” cup home to the Department of Human Oncology. Beautifully done, Mike and Matt.
New Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery Technique Improves Patient Experience
The Radiation Oncology Clinic at University of Wisconsin Hospital recently implemented a new method of performing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)—a single high dose of radiation to precisely treat small primary or metastatic brain tumors and other intracranial conditions. Read more.
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.