Message from our Chairman
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is dedicated to a three-part mission of excellence in patient care, basic and translational research, and the education of residents and medical students.
With the Abramson Cancer Center, we provide patient care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and five off- campus sites: Pennsylvania Hospital, Chester County Hospital, Mercer Capital Health System, Phoenixville Hospital, and Holy Redeemer Hospital. We deliver a broad range of radiation therapy services to our patients, including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), high dose rate (HDR) and low dose rate brachytherapy, partial breast irradiation, stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS), and Gamma Knife radiation. In partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Health System, we are in the process of making substantial investments in new imaging modalities that will allow us to deliver the most advanced form of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). We will be moving to a new home in May, 2008 in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, located directly across the street from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In our new department, we will have approximately 50,000 square feet of space, including 4 of the most advanced linear accelerators, 2 CT simulators, a PET CT simulator, and an MRI simulator. In addition, we will be building a Proton therapy center which will be completely integrated with our conventional radiation therapy services. When the proton therapy center opens in the summer of 2009, we will have the largest proton therapy center in the country, in which we will be able to deliver one of the most advanced and targeted forms of radiation to our patients. We are not only committed to delivering top-flight radiation therapy, but also to enhancing and improving upon the patient experience by providing a full range of clinical services. We are an integral component of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and can draw upon the Center’s full resources to deliver the best possible overall care..
We are particularly proud of the Research Program in the Department. We are committed to developing new biological and physical approaches for improving radiation therapy and bringing these advances to the clinic so that we can benefit our patients directly. In particular, our researchers are known for developing novel approaches to biologically target molecular pathways and thereby enhance the effect of radiation on tumor cells, while not increasing side effects. Our work in tumor hypoxia and the tumor microenvironment is well-recognized in the oncology research community, as are our programs in photodynamic therapy, radioprotection, and DNA damage.
Our 4-year Residency Program in radiation oncology is one of the most competitive in the nation which allows us to recruit the most outstanding candidates. Effective teaching of residents by our faculty is a priority and is emphasized as an important component of academic life at Penn. Our residents are highly dedicated to patient care and research, and they leave our program with important skills that allow them to function independently as radiation oncologists in academia or private practice. They are exposed to the most modern technologies and master oncology literature across many disciplines.
No matter whether you come to our Department as a patient, as a candidate, or as a research or clinical collaborator, we hope to make your experience at Penn the finest possible. Your success is our success.
» TOP
© University of Pennsylvania | School of Medicine | University of Pennsylvania Health System