http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/ Proton therapy is a unique treatment that has proved to be as effective as, and in some cases more effective than, other forms of cancer treatments. It is a highly precise, noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure. It targets the tumor and causes minimal damage to surrounding tissues, as compared to conventional therapy. en iuhealthprotontherapy.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-09T21:13:08+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/iu-health-proton-therapy-center-brings-protons-to-more-children/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/iu-health-proton-therapy-center-brings-protons-to-more-children/#When:20:13:08Z Bloomington, IN –The Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington, Ind., becomes the first proton center in the country to simultaneously treat children under anesthesia in two treatment rooms. The increase in the Center's ability to treat additional anesthesia cases makes it possible to deliver this treatment to more children with cancers/tumors of the head, neck, and spine. The IU Health Proton Therapy Center provides treatment for patients of all ages; however, children are at the heart of the practice and accounted for 30 percent of the patient population in 2011. Since opening its doors in February 2004, one in every 12 patients has been treated under anesthesia and that number is anticipated to grow in 2012. The efforts to increase the anesthesia cases would not be possible without the partnership with Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. "It is unique when world-class organizations work together as we do with Riley Hospital," says Dr. Peter Johnstone, president and chief executive officer of the IU Health Proton Therapy Center and chair and William A. Mitchell professor of radiation oncology for the IU School of Medicine. "Together, we provide an extraordinary resource for the most vulnerable patients: children with cancer." When treating young children with the precision of protons, it is critical that they are immobilized for their treatments and anesthesia is necessary to achieve this level of accuracy. Locally, the anesthesia efforts are provided by Bloomington Anesthesiologists, who are specially trained to work with children. Johnstone adds, "Without their expertise in pediatric anesthesia while under treatment, this work would not be possible." The Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center is a state-of-the-art center offering proton therapy: a highly precise treatment option for treating benign and cancerous tumors. Since February 2004, IU Health Proton Therapy Center physicians have treated adults and children from nearly every state in the U.S. and nine foreign counties. It is the only proton center accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. The IU Health Proton Therapy Center is owned by IU Research and Technology Corporation and IU Health. 2012-02-09T20:13:08+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/iu-health-proton-therapy-center-reaccredited-by-aaaasf/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/iu-health-proton-therapy-center-reaccredited-by-aaaasf/#When:19:10:46Z The Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center was reaccredited by American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). The Proton Therapy Center has demonstrated its commitment to patient safety by gaining accreditation from AAAASF, recognized nationally as the “Gold Standard” in accreditation. As part of our mission to provide the best possible care for our patients, we continually strive for excellence. Meeting the high standards of AAAASF reinforces that commitment. To earn its accreditation, the IU Health Proton Therapy Center, like every AAAASF accredited facility, must meet stringent national standards for general environment, general safety, blood and medication, medical records, quality assessment/improvement, personnel, governance, recovery room, and anesthesia. The end result is that the accredited facility makes a commitment toward maintaining safety and quality in the facility. As the leading accrediting organization for ambulatory facilities, AAAASF has developed the systems to effectively monitor and implement the latest advances in outpatient care delivery that directly benefit patients. The AAAASF Accreditation Program requires 100% compliance with each Standard to become and remain accredited, and the IU Health Proton Therapy Center met these requirements for the second consecutive year. The IU Health Proton Therapy Center has demonstrated that they have met the highest standards in patient care and safety. Meeting the “Gold Standard” requirements elevates the patient safety awareness of every member of the staff and improves the quality of care. The IU Health Proton Therapy Center's anesthesia program could not be successful without the support of Bloomington Anesthesiologists. The anesthesiologists group is experienced in both pediatric and adult anesthesia allowing the facility the ability to provide quality care to any age group. They work hand-in-hand with our physicians and nurses to provide a safe environment for proton treatments for our patients. AAAASF has been a major proponent for peer review reporting and quality improvement in the outpatient surgery environment. It is the mission of AAAASF to develop and implement standards of excellence to improve quality of patient care and safety through a program of inspection and accreditation that serves both the medical community and the public interest. 2011-11-14T19:10:46+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/prostate-cancer-prevention-playbook/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/prostate-cancer-prevention-playbook/#When:18:12:35Z September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Just saying that much, you can almost sense men around the world puckering at what's sure to come next: A recommendation for prostate cancer screening. But men, fear not. Testing for prostate cancer consists simply of a blood test and a brief physical examination. It takes less than 10 minutes and can save your life. With prostate cancer ranking as the second leading cause of cancer death among men, it's time to get aggressive in the fight against the disease. Check local hospitals and area clinics for free screenings.  Early detection and treatment are important when facing prostate cancer. So, show your true grit and get screened today. 2011-09-27T18:12:35+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/local-boy-scouts-donate-to-the-iu-health-proton-theapy-center/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/local-boy-scouts-donate-to-the-iu-health-proton-theapy-center/#When:14:58:36Z The Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center would like to recognize Jake Babcock and the members of Boy Scout Troop 121 for the beatification project at the center’s Patient Resource Facility. For the past year, Jake Babcock has worked tirelessly to demonstrate his ability to plan, organize, lead and manage a service project that he hopes will lead to his being named an Eagle Scout. Jake, along with members of Troop 121 and their parents, put this plan into motion this spring. They installed a new flagpole, spread mulch and planted flowers, installed a new sandbox, and built a children’s playhouse. Special thanks to Jake, Scoutmaster Clay Slaughter, Jason Banach and all other donors and volunteers who assisted with this project. 2011-05-16T14:58:36+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/iu-health-proton-therapy-center-names-new-medical-director/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/iu-health-proton-therapy-center-names-new-medical-director/#When:15:01:50Z Bloomington, IN – The Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center (formerly Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute) has named James ("Jay") Douglas, MD, MS, as medical director. He also assumes the role as newly created position of deputy director of IU Cyclotron Operations, which generates the proton beam used to treat patients at the center, and is on the faculty of the IU School of Medicine. Dr. Douglas brings significant experience to his role at the IU Health Proton Therapy Center. During his tenure as associate professor of radiation oncology, pediatrics and neurologic surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center, he also served as residency program director, co-director of the Gamma Knife Center, and section chief of radiation oncology at Seattle Children's Hospital. In addition, Douglas was director of pediatric radiation oncology at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Seattle Magazine named him one of the best doctors in Seattle for pediatric radiation oncology by for five consecutive years. "Jay brings to his new positions a distinct and mature perspective," said Dr. Peter Johnstone, president and chief executive officer of the IU Health Proton Therapy Center. "He is a widely respected and accomplished pediatric radiation oncologist, and it is our great privilege that he came from as respected a center as University of Washington." Board-certified in pediatrics and radiation oncology, Dr. Douglas specializes in treating pediatric cancers and complex cancers of the head, neck and spine. Dr. Douglas is an international speaker on radiation oncology and the author of eight book chapters and nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts. He trained in both radiation oncology and pediatric oncology and completed a fellowship in pediatric oncology at the National Cancer Institute. He earned his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and a master's in medical microbiology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr. Douglas said he looks forward to treating patients at the IU Health Proton Therapy Center because it is one of a handful of facilities in the country that has a long track record of using protons to treat a wide range of cancers. "My goals for the IU Health Proton Therapy Center are to continue providing excellent patient care and growing this center," he said. At the IU Proton Therapy Center, Dr. Douglas also plans to devote himself to treating patients, publishing research and talking to physicians across the country about the advantages of proton therapy. "I truly believe we are at the beginning of an era of protons," Dr. Douglas said. "I also anticipate that research will eventually show that proton therapy is superior in many ways to conventional radiation therapy in treating certain cancers particularly in children." 2011-03-01T15:01:50+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/mpri-is-now-indiana-university-health-proton-therapy-center/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/mpri-is-now-indiana-university-health-proton-therapy-center/#When:17:55:30Z Bloomington, IN – Today, the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI) formally announced its name change to the Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center. In 2010, Clarian Health, one of MPRI's parent organizations, announced the decision to clearly define its mission and statewide focus by uniting its hospitals and affiliated services under one identity – Indiana University Health. Because of MPRI's affiliation with Clarian Health, the decision was made to adopt the new name with the nationally recognized system of health care providers. "This is a very exciting time for us as we align more closely with our parent organizations (Indiana University Research and Technology Center and IU Health)," says IU Health Proton Therapy Center President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Peter Johnstone. The name Indiana University Health affirms the health system’s unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s largest medical schools – and is aligned with its vision to provide one standard of preeminent, patient-centered care to the people of Indiana and beyond. All IU Health Proton Therapy Center radiation oncologists have appointments with the IU School of Medicine, and Johnstone serves as chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. “We are very proud of our new name, Indiana University Health. Becoming Indiana University Health is about much more than a new name, new logo or new signs on buildings. It’s about our patients and our commitment to them,” said Daniel F. Evans, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Indiana University Health. “It’s about assurance – assurance that our patients and their families will receive the best possible care, wherever and whenever we serve them across Indiana.” The names of all hospitals within the health system will align with the Indiana University Health name, yet maintain their local identities. Indiana University Health hospital names • Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital (Lafayette) • Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital (Muncie) • Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital (Bedford) • Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital (Hartford City) • Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital (Bloomington) • Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital (Goshen) • Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital (La Porte) • Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital (Indianapolis) • Indiana University Health North Hospital (Carmel) • Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital (Paoli) • Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center (Bloomington) • Indiana University Health Starke Hospital (Knox) • Indiana University Health Tipton Hospital (Tipton) • Indiana University Health University Hospital (Indianapolis) • Indiana University Health West Hospital (Avon) • Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health (Indianapolis) The services to patients and the staff of the IU Health Proton Therapy Center will remain the same. Becoming Indiana University Health is part of a larger effort to establish a new identity that better aligns the vision to provide one standard of high-quality, patient-centered care. 2011-01-24T17:55:30+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/mpri-unveils-new-logo/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/mpri-unveils-new-logo/#When:19:37:13Z Earlier this year, Clarian Health announced the decision to clearly define its mission and statewide focus by uniting its hospitals and allied services under one identity – Indiana University Health. Today, the nationally recognized system of health care providers, including the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI), is one step closer to that goal with the release of its new logo. The new logo features the “block IU” atop a black square with the facility name adjacent, and will be adopted across the health care system in early 2011. (To view the IU Health Proton Therapy Center logo, open the PDF.) Riley Hospital for Children will maintain a unique identity, yet one still closely tied to the IU Health mark. The Riley logo will feature the familiar and well-recognized red wagon with the hospital name adjacent. Dr. Peter Johnstone, MPRI CEO and president, states, “Becoming Indiana University Health is part of a larger effort to establish a new identity that is directly related to our vision of providing preeminent patient-centered care.” 2010-12-15T19:37:13+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/midwest-proton-radiotherapy-institute-to-be-named-iu-health-proton-therapy-/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/midwest-proton-radiotherapy-institute-to-be-named-iu-health-proton-therapy-/#When:13:04:34Z Bloomington, IN – Effective early 2011, the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute will be named Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center. Dr. Peter Johnstone, president and CEO, shared this important information with staff via executive e-mail. The name change is part of a larger effort to establish a new identity that better aligns with Clarian Health’s, soon to be IU Health’s, vision to provide one standard of care. “We will be proud to be known as IU Health Proton Therapy Center,” says Johnstone. “To our patients, the IU Health name will become synonymous with high quality, coordinated patient-centered care.” The names of all hospitals within the Clarian system will align with the Indiana University Health name, yet maintain their local identity. This change results from Clarian Health’s most significant customer and market research in its history, which gathered insight from nearly 2,800 of its patients and their families, referring physicians and staff members throughout the state. The name IU Health will better identify Clarian’s unique brand of nationally recognized health care, reinforce its partnership with Indiana University and the IU School of Medicine, which provides patients with access to innovative research treatments, and better reflect the breadth of its mission. Johnstone adds, “We will remain the preeminent proton therapy center in the country with our unique ability to leverage extraordinary patient care and state-of-the-art particle therapy research and development expertise” Related elements, including the IU Health logo will be unveiled first to staff, and then to the general public in early 2011. MPRI is a state-of-the-art center offering proton therapy: a highly precise treatment option for treating benign and cancerous tumors. Since February 2004, MPRI physicians have treated adults and children with both benign and cancerous tumors. MPRI is owned by the Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation and Clarian Health. 2010-10-26T13:04:34+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/seeking-treatment-option-for-pediatric-brain-tumors/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/seeking-treatment-option-for-pediatric-brain-tumors/#When:13:19:18Z At first glance, Sami Stanley and Chandler Harker seem to have nothing in common. She is a seven year old who loves to dance. Thirteen-year-old Chandler is into sports. He lives in Indianapolis. Sami calls Muncie, Ind., home. Because they both have a brain stem tumor their lives and those of their families have become forever entwined. In the quest to find the best treatment option for their children, the Harker and Stanley families discovered each other – and the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI). “If you had asked me to draw up exactly what I wanted in a treatment, MPRI would have been it,” says Chandler’s father Steve. “Radiation is a scary word,” adds Sami’s dad Matt. “But the treatment we were most scared of has been the best.” This is the story of the journey that brought the Harker and Stanley families together — and finding the treatment they hope will make their children’s lives as “normal” as possible. Chandler Chandler’s parents knew early on that something was wrong. Despite normal CT exams when he was two years old and again at three and a half, bouts of nausea and vomiting continued. At five, another MRI finally revealed the tumor they suspected but could not see. “The tumor’s location on the brain stem made it inoperable and difficult to treat,” says Steve. The family sought care in North Carolina at Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. When Chandler’s headaches and dizzy spells became too intense, doctors there recommended 24 months of chemotherapy. At the end of the two-year treatment, the tumor stabilized and Chandler’s symptoms diminished. He was eight and a half years old. “At that point, we just hoped we could buy him some time for science to catch up and a new treatment technique to be developed,” says Steve. Sami Unlike Chandler, Sami’s symptoms came on fast and furious — her brain tumor, called a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma or JPA, was diagnosed in one day – just one month shy of her fifth birthday. By that evening, her parents Matt and Elizabeth reluctantly agreed to surgery, only to learn that because the tumor sat on her brain stem, it was inoperable. Her doctors recommended more than a year of chemotherapy. “That just didn’t sound right,” says Matt. Another family who knew the Harkers recommended they learn more about Chandler and his treatment. “We knew right where they were, exactly what they felt,” says Debbie. “You get so much information all at once, you can’t absorb it. We couldn’t give Matt and Elizabeth medical advice but the one thing we could give was a sense of comfort.” The Stanleys decided to consult with the same specialist the Harkers saw at Duke, who recommended chemotherapy for Sami that could be performed near their home at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. “Steve and Debbie gave us words of encouragement,” says Elizabeth. “Chandler had a similar treatment that was very successful and that gave us a lot of hope.” Sami underwent a year and a half of weekly chemo without a problem, but a year later, her symptoms returned. In May 2010, an MRI revealed her tumor was growing and Riley referred the Stanleys to pediatric radiation oncologist Andrew Chang at MPRI. “Proton therapy is non-invasive, there is little pain involved, and it offers the success rate we were looking for,” says Matt. “It was by far the best option. There was nothing to think about.” When Sami began her six weeks of treatment at MPRI in June, her mother posted the news on Caring Bridge, a website where friends and family — including the Harkers — can stay abreast of Sami’s health. “We knew they were on a different journey at that point,” says Debbie, who had never heard of MPRI. “Because of Chandler’s age, we avoided radiation options because his brain was still growing and developing.” But Debbie and Steve knew their lives were changing too. Chandler’s symptoms were also worsening — his bad mornings were lasting all the way through lunch. They moved up an MRI scheduled for August to June. After the MRI revealed the tumor was growing, their doctor at Duke said they should begin thinking about radiation. When Steve showed him an ad that he saw for MPRI, he said that was exactly what he recommended. Now it was time for the Harkers to learn from the Stanley family. “Matt told us how wonderful Dr. Chang was,” says Steve. “We went from feeling so bleak to so encouraged, because proton therapy seemed like the magic bullet we were always hoping for.” Within a week, the Harkers visited MPRI, and Chandler began his 30 treatments over six weeks on July 14. “The staff at MPRI is great,” says Steve. “We’ve been to so many doctors, hospitals and emergency rooms and I’ve never seen a staff that good and friendly that does their best every day without exception. But the best part, says Matt, is that there is no pain and minimal side effects for Sami and Chandler. “As long as the kids are feeling better, that is all you want,” says Steve. Even before his treatments were completed, Chandler was golfing — first thing in the morning and walking the course instead of using a cart. “He’s having the best mornings he’s had in … we can’t remember how long,” says Steve. “When Chandler is having a good day, he says it’s so much better than a normal kid’s good day. He gets so much out of it, he goes to bed exhausted.” For that, and for each other, the Harkers and Stanleys are deeply grateful. “A lot of families have it a lot worse than we do,” says Steve. “We’re so lucky to have what we have.” “As families, we’re connected,” adds Debbie. “Our journey’s not over, it’s just beginning.” 2010-08-27T13:19:18+00:00 http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/1000th-patient-completes-treatment-at-mpri/ http://iuhealthprotontherapy.org/news/detail/1000th-patient-completes-treatment-at-mpri/#When:12:46:43Z Bloomington, Ind. – Twelve-year-old Natalie Crum of Ohio is the 1,000th patient to complete treatment at the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI). The soon-to-be-sixth grader spent six weeks of her summer in Bloomington, Ind., undergoing proton therapy for a slow-growing brain tumor originally diagnosed when she was just two years old. “Our goal in treating Natalie was to make sure her tumor no longer grows and to minimize the risks of radiation therapy,” said Dr. Andrew Chang, director of pediatric radiation oncology. Ten years ago, neurosurgeons in Ohio were able to remove 70 percent of the tennis ball-sized tumor, called an astrocytoma, at the base of Natalie’s skull. When the remnants of the tumor near her brainstem began growing earlier this year, doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, referred her to MPRI. “Sparing healthy tissue such as bone and brain from radiation is critical, especially when treating children,” said Dr. Chang. “With proton therapy, we can reduce the long-term risks of developing a secondary cancer later, as well as the risk of developmental and growth delays that are more likely with conventional X-ray radiation.” Natalie received five proton therapy treatments per week over a six-week period beginning June 9. After each session — which lasted less than an hour — she and her family made the most of the rest of their time Bloomington, exploring the surrounding area and swimming at the golf resort where they rented a condominium. On weekends, the Crum family made the three and a half hour trip home to spend time with their other children. “Natalie is a warrior,” said Natalie’s father Bennie Crum. “She did not complain, and she knows MPRI is making her better.” By the end of her treatment plan, Natalie felt great and experience no side effects – other than a slight loss of hair near the treatment site. The entire experience made the Crums strong advocates for proton therapy. “Before our doctors in Ohio told us about proton therapy, we did not know it existed,” said Natalie’s mother Regina. “I hope Natalie can help put a face on proton therapy and help others learn about this treatment option.” “There are no negatives to proton therapy,” Bennie Crum added. “This is the wave of the future right here.” To read more about Natalie’s treatment and other patient stories, visit the MPRI Patient Stories page. 2010-07-22T12:46:43+00:00