Nationally recognized radiation oncology expert, Dr. Allan Thornton, has accepted the position of Medical Director for the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI). The announcement was made this week by Mark Long, President of MPRI. “We are very fortunate to have Dr. Thornton in this position. He brings extensive experience in radiation medicine and proton therapy research to MPRI. He will provide excellent medical leadership and ensure that our patients receive the finest medical care available,“ said Long.

Dr. Thornton said, “I am very pleased to accept this appointment and look forward to making a contribution to MPRI, our patients and our community. “

Prior to his MPRI appointment, Dr. Thornton was the Director of the Coronary Irradiation Brachytherapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Departments of Invasive Cardiology and Radiation Medicine in Boston. Before that, he was the Director, Central Nervous System Division and Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology.

A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Dr. Thornton completed his residency at The Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario. He is board certified in radiation oncology.

The academic appointments of Dr. Thornton include Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Boston; Instructor, University of Michigan Medical Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ann Arbor; and Instructor, University of Michigan Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology.

Dr. Thornton has served on many national committees, including the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) Head and Neck Tumor Committee, Veterans Administration Cooperative Study Group for Advanced Larynx Disease, Proton Therapy Co-operative Oncology Group (PTCOG) and the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study Group for Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Organ Preservation in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

Dr. Thornton is an active member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American College of Radiology, National Hospice Organization and the Southwest Oncology Group.

Having devoted his career to addressing the health care needs of patients with potentially life-threatening cancers, Dr. Thornton’s work currently focuses on the benefits of proton therapy. As Medical Director of the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute, he will be working with physicians and researchers, other proton therapy centers and healthcare organizations to explore methods of proton therapy care and treatment.