Drs. Philip Schaner and Garrett Wasp his colleagues have been awarded a Learning Health System E-STaR Scientist grant. This is part of P30 grant from the NIH/NCI. Their proposal has 3 specific aims, including:
Identification of barriers and facilitators to the timely initiation of treatment for our head and neck cancer patients
Production of a multi-level intervention strategy to reduce delays to starting treatment in this vulnerable patient group
Piloting multi-level interventions at St. Johnsbury and Lebanon
This is a very pragmatic proposal that ks clearly designed to help this challenging patient population. Congratulations to Phil, Garrett, and the entire research team
Colleen Fox, PhD, along with Reshma Munbodh, PhD, were the co-hosts of the highly successul AAPM Summer School (PDF) held at Dartmouth College in June 2024. The theme of the 2024 program was "Workflow Optimization in Radiation Oncology: From Theory to Clinical Implementation". Nearly 100 medical physicists from across North America descended upon the Upper Valley. Much pragmatic knowledge was shared during this highly collegial and informative conference
Jennifer Willyard, PhD, PMP, CPHQ, will be presenting a workshop titled “Building an Operational Quality Enterprise for Radiation Oncology: Approaches, Tools, and Techniques“ for the Society for Radiation Oncology Administrator’s Annual Meeting on September 29, 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Washington, DC.
Armin Tavakkoli, an MD-PhD student, received an RSNA Research Medical Student Grant for his proposal titled, "Evaluating the Therapeutic Potential of FLASH Irradiation in Brain Tumor Treatment." His primary research mentor is Dr. Jack Hoopes. His faculty and career development mentor CR Thomas, Jr., MD. Armin has previously received the 2022 AOA Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship. He is also the inaugural recipient of the Dartmouth Radiation Oncology Medical Student Research Fellowship. Congratulations to Armin!
The Physics 4, General Physics II Spring term 2024 classJoseph Weygand, PhD, (Assistant Professor) and Benjamin Williams, PhD, (Professor & Chief, Medical Physics, were guest faculty presenters at the Physics 4, General Physics II Spring term 2024 class. They spoke about practical applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Dr. Gregory Russo is an invited faculty at the IASLC (Int. Soc. for the Study of Lung Cancer) 2024 Asia Conference from Oct 17 to 19, 2024, at the Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong. Dr. Russo will present on the "Role of Radiation Therapy in Thymoma: Guidelines and Recent Advances". Congratulations to the Russo Lab!
Dr. CR Thomas, Jr. has been appointed to the Ancillary Projects Committee of the NRG Oncology cooperative group.
Kelli Pointer, MD, PhD has been awarded a Clinical Scientist Development Grant from the American Cancer Society/American Society of Radiation Oncology. The proposal titled "Targeting Cholinergic Signaling to Overcome Radiation Resistance in Gliomas" will be funded at $135,000 per year for 5 years and facilitate experiments by the Pointer Lab. Onward!
Albert Koong, MD, PhD, Division Head of Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, visited the Department of Radiation Oncology and Applied Sciences and Dartmouth Cancer Center. He met with faculty investigators, trainees, and cancer center administration followed by a scientific presentation, “Regulation of Ferroptosis by IRE1a: Implications for Cancer Therapy. Grand Rounds Announcement (PDF)
Ms. Grace Rosner, a doctoral graduate student in the Pointer Lab was awarded 1st Place for the poster competition during the annual Dartmouth Cancer Center Research Retreat. Congratulations to Grace!
Dr. CR Thomas, Jr., Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Applied Sciences, will be a faculty member along with serving on the steering committee for the annual RSNA Clinical Trials Methodology Workshop to be held in Jan 2025. This workshop helps investigators acquire the tools needed to rationally design, execute, interpret, and publish clinical trial protocols. This workshop is part of the career development toolbox to assist faculty in becoming funded principal investigator for imaging & radiation oncology clinical trials. During this intensive, highly successful course, participants will gain insight into writing trials that evaluate novel radiation-based, imaging, and/or image-guided interventions for cancer and non-cancer clinical scenarios.
Dr. Anna Kikut, Radiation Oncology Resident, starting July 2025
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Anna Kikut to our Radiation Oncology Residency Program. A Vermont native with enduring ties to her community, Dr. Kikut embodies a unique blend of academic excellence, athletic prowess, and a deep commitment to women's health, particularly in the realm of gynecologic malignancies and brachytherapy. Her journey from the scenic valleys of Vermont to becoming an integral part of our team is both inspiring and commendable.
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Dr. Kikut's academic foundation was laid at Dartmouth College, where she majored in Neuroscience. Dartmouth was also where Anna showcased her remarkable talents outside the classroom, excelling as a dual Division 1 athlete in Alpine Skiing and Track & Field. These formative experiences at Dartmouth not only honed her discipline and resilience but also foreshadowed her multifaceted career. Continuing her academic and professional development, Anna will earn her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating in the top quartile of her class. Her induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and award of the prestigious R. Conrad McAllister MD Scholarship, also underscores her exceptional capabilities and dedication to medicine.
It is not surprising that her mentors describe her as "the complete package"—mature, hardworking, dedicated, and exceptionally skilled in both teaching and research.
Her return to Dartmouth is a testament to her value of family and community, bringing her full circle back to her roots. As she embarks on this next phase of her journey with us, her diverse background from her education and training to her involvement in athletics and community service, promises to enrich our program and the care we provide to our patients. Her ability to balance rigorous academic work, research, and extracurricular activities, all while maintaining strong family connections, is truly inspirational.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Anna Kikut to our Radiation Oncology Residency Program. We look forward to her contributions and to supporting her continued growth and success in the field. Welcome, Dr. Kikut!
Dr. Charles Thomas, Jr. has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2024.
The goal of the AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report is to provide a compelling account of the significant challenges that cancer health disparities pose to our nation and to educate the public and Congress about the advances we have made recently in understanding and eliminating these disparities. The report, which will be formally unveiled in Spring 2024, will also be used to advocate for increased federal funding for this important area of cancer research.
Dr. Charles Thomas, Jr. is a co-guest editor (with Dr. Ethan Ludmir, MD, Anderson Cancer Center) for the fall 2023 issue of Seminars in Radiation Oncology
Nirav Kapadia, MD, MS, has been appointed to the State Captain Initiative by the American Society of Radiation Oncology.
Kelli Pointer, MD, PhD, is a moderator for the CNS Radiation Oncology oral abstract session at the 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the RSNA (Radiologic Society of North America), November 26-30, 2023, in Chicago.
Dr. Lesley Jarvis has been selected to serve on the RTBN (Radiation Therapy, Radiation Biology, and Nanoparticle-based Therapeutics) NIH Study Section.
Dr. Jarvis receives V Foundation - 2023 Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research (Translational)
The Translational Research Award will be awarded to investigators who pursue cancer research that moves a novel strategy from the laboratory to a human clinical trial or uses specimens from a clinical trial to develop biomarkers or mechanisms; winners will receive $800,000 in funding over four years. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $310 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®.
Rex Kantatan, BS, RTT, CMM, has been selected to present at 2023 ASRT Radiation Therapy Conference in San Diego
Rex Kantatan, BS, RTT, CMM, has been selected to present at 2023 ASRT Radiation Therapy Conference in San Diego. Rex's talk is titled "Burnout in Healthcare Workers: From Pandemic to Endemic". The ASRT Radiation Therapy Conference brings together radiation therapists, medical dosimetrists and other leading radiation oncology experts from around the world who are driving innovation and the future of the profession. This is actually the second consecutive year that a Dartmouth Cancer Center radiation therapist has presented at this international meeting. Congratulations to Rex!
Philip E. Schaner, MD, PhD joins newest cohort of Dartmouth Cancer Center Faculty Fellows
Colleen Fox, PhD to co-direct the national 2024 AAPM Summer School with Reshma Munbodh, PhD
Colleen J Fox, PhD will co-direct along with Reshma Munbodh, PhD the national 2024 AAPM Summer School from June 17-22, 2024 at Dartmouth College. The theme is titled "Workflow Optimization in Radiation Oncology: From Theory to Clinical Implementation." Refer to the AAPM Meetings website.
Armin Tavakkoli (MED24) inaugural recipient of the Dartmouth Radiation Oncology Medical Student Research Fellowship
Armin Tavakkoli MED24 is the inaugural recipient of the Dartmouth Radiation Oncology Medical Student Research Fellowship. Armin will perform pre-clinical research on the impact of FLASH radiotherapy on the brain in animal models. This award carries a $30K stipend. Congratulations to Armin!
Kelli Pointer, MD, PhD, invited to join The Brain Metastases and GBM Interest Group and the Immuno-Radiotherapy Interest Group
Ms. Bethany Marshall appointed to the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board
Ms. Bethany Marshall, MS, CMD, RTT, has been appointed to the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board for a 5-year term (2023-2028). The Medical Dosimetry Certification Board (MDCB) was formally incorporated in 1988. The MDCB is the recognized certifying agency for Medical Dosimetry in the United States and administers the Medical Dosimetry Certification Exam. By 1991, the exam was administered annually in 15 test sites in major cities in the United States and Canada. Since 2012, the exam is administered twice annually.
Each of the various disciplines represented by the MDCB board members—Dosimetry, Medical Physics and Radiation Oncology—is an important component in the development of the MDCB Certification Exam. Through their collaboration and the psychometric expertise provided by our test vendor, the MDCB ensures that the exam continues to consistently measure the knowledge and experience of dosimetrists, assuring quality of care and the safety and health of patients. Congratulation, Bethany!!
Dr. Thomas attends Nathan Smith Society's Dinner-with-a-Doc
Tatum McGlynn, MD, CMD joins as full-time dosimetrist
Ms. Tatum McGlynn, MD, CMD, recently passed her Medical Dosimetrist Certification board exam. After years as a DH therapist (including a lead role in establishing our ViewRay MR-guided treatment program), Tatum began her MS degree in Medical Dosimetry with GVSU in the fall of 2021. She worked with our dosimetry and physics teams for her clinical training and as a dosimetry assistant, graduated in the fall of 2022, and then thankfully joined us as a full-time dosimetrist. A true win for all involved!
The Pointer Lab has received funding approval for the proposal titled "Defining a Molecular Signature of Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cell Acquired Radiation Resistance
Sue Yom, MD, PhD, MAS featured guest lecturer at NNECOS
Sue Yom, MD, PhD, MAS, the Jacobs & Klein Distinguished Professor in Head & Neck Cancer Radiation Oncology, was the featured guest at the semi-annual NNECOS (Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society). Dr. Yom gave the Steven M. Grunberg Memorial Lecture on the topic of "De-Escalation in Head & Neck Cancer in the era of Personalized Medicine". In addition, Dr. Yom presented on "Future Directions in Radiation Oncology Research: A Perspective from NRG Oncology Head & Neck Cancer Committee" during Dartmouth Cancer Center Grand Rounds." See presentation images (PDF).
ASRT annual conference presentations by Mr. Jae Lee and Ms. Samantha Bickerton
Mr. Jae Lee presented on "Pain Management with Cancer Treatment" and Ms. Samantha Bickerton presented on "Dose in Accordance with various Imaging Modalities" at the ASRT annual conference in San Antonio." See presentation images (PDF).
Charles Thomas, Jr., MD, Drew Bergman, and Chun-Chieh "Paul" Lin, MD
Drew Bergman received a RSNA research medical student grant
Drew Bergman MED24 received a RSNA Research Medical Student grant (RMS2224) for his proposal titled, "Epigenetic Mechanisms of the FLASH Radiotherapy Effect". His research mentors are Drs. Chun-Chieh "Paul" Lin and Rongxiao Zhang. HIs faculty and career development mentor is Dr. C.R. Thomas, Jr. Congratulations to Drew!
Open House for Radiation Oncology held on September 20, 2022
Medical Student Virtual Meet and Greet sessions to learn about the Dartmouth Radiation Oncology postgraduate residency training program. The dates are September 22, Octotboer 5 and October 20. See you there!
Dr. Thomas will participate in the Speed Mentoring program during the annual ASTRO meeting in San Antonio
Dr. McVorran to present on “Teaching Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Faculty and Staff” at 2022 ASTRO annual meeting
Dr. McVorran is a faculty presenter on “Teaching Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Faculty and Staff” during the Master Class 04: Centering on Equity: Reflecting on Unconscious Bias, Dominant Culture and Privilege” at the 2022 ASTRO meeting (Room 303) on October 22, 2022nd
Radiation Oncology faculty is selected to give faculty keynote address for Geisel School of Medicine Class of 2026
Dr. Thomas instructs new Dartmouth undergraduates in the summer Dartmouth Adventures in STEM
Dr. Thomas is instructing new Dartmouth undergraduates enrolled in the summer Dartmouth Adventures in STEM (DAS)/E.E. Just Program. Prof. Craig Sutton (Dartmouth Math faculty) is the director of the E.E. Just program. Course images (PDF)
A record 8 oral presentations will be presented at the FRPT by the Dartmouth Medical Physics team
The Dartmouth Medical Physics team will present a record number of oral presentation at the Flash Radiotherapy & Particle Therapy (FRPT) conference in Barcelona Nov 30 - Dec 2, 2022. The presentation titles, presenter (asterix), and co-authors are listed below:
A. Sloop, J. Sunnerberg*, M. Rahman, J. Kozelka, J. Hildreth, W.E. Simon, C. Thomas, P.J. Hoopes, B. Pogue, P. Bruza, D. Gladstone, R. Zhang, Characterization of The Edge Diode Detector at Mean Dose Rates in Excess of 1kGy Per Second, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Mahbubur Rahman, Austin M. Sloop*, Jacob Sunnerberg, David J. Gladstone, Chad A. Dexter, Lawrence Thompson, Petr Bruza, Brian W. Pogue, Rongxiao Zhang, Temporally Stable UHDR LINAC is Advantageous for FLASH RT, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Mahbubur Rahman, M. Ramish Ashraf, Rongxiao Zhang, Xu Cao, David J. Gladstone, Lesley A. Jarvis, P. Jack Hoopes, Brian W. Pogue, Petr Bruza*, Cherenkov Imaging In Vivo Tracks Pulse to Pulse Output and Surface Profiles during FLASH Radiotherapy, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Megan Clark*, Xuanfeng Ding, Lewei Zhao, Brian Pogue, David Gladstone, Mahbubur Rahman, Rongxiao Zhang, Petr Bruza, First Triggered Single-Pulse Scintillation Imaging of Synchrocyclotron Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Beam, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Banghao Zhou*, Weiguo Lu, Youfang Lai, Mahbubur Rahman, Rongxiao Zhang, Xun Jia, Ken Kang-Hsin Wang, GPU-based Monte Carlo Treatment Planning System for Electron FLASH Radiotherapy, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Mahbubur Rahman, Jakub Kozelka, Jeff Hildreth, Andreas Schönfeld, Austin M. Sloop, M. Ramish Ashraf, Petr Bruza, David J. Gladstone, Brian W. Pogue, William E. Simon, Rongxiao Zhang*, Diode Dosimeter Characterization for UHDR FLASH Radiotherapy, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Mahbubur Rahman*, Rongxiao Zhang, David J. Gladstone, Benjamin B. Williams, Erli Chen, Chad A. Dexter, Lawrence Thompson, Petr Bruza, Brian W. Pogue, FMEA Confirms Safety of Clinical Operations Post Experimental Use of a Linac For FLASH, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Jiayi Liu*, Lei Dong, Kevin Teo, Eric Diffenderfer, Arash Darafsheh, Jacob Sunnerberg, Francois Vander Stappen, Ying Xiao, Tianyu Zhao, Rongxiao Zhang, Wei Zou, Using Thin-Gap Transmission Ion Chamber and Faraday Cup to Characterize Ion Recombination Effect Under UHDR Electron, Pulsed Proton and Quasi-Continuous Proton Beams, FRPT 2022, Barcelona, [TALK]
Gregory Alan Russo, MD awarded ARRO Educator-of-the-Year for the 2021-2022
Anna Fariss, MD accepted to Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Professions
Anna Fariss, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Geisel School of Medicine, has been accepted to the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Professions. The program provides a select group of participants with a knowledge base and skills to enhance their expertise in both conducting an educational project of their own design and taking a leadership role in the educational activities at their institutions.
Charles R. Thomas Jr., MD, FASTRO one of two selected to receive inaugural ASTRO Mentorship Award
This week, ASTRO (American Society for Radiation Oncology) Chair, Laura Dawson, MD, FASTRO, announced that Dartmouth Cancer Center’s very own Charles R. Thomas Jr., MD, FASTRO is one of two individuals selected to receive the inaugural ASTRO Mentorship Award. The award will be presented during ASTRO’s 64th Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas on October 25, 2022. The award seeks to recognize and promote the work of mentors in radiation oncology. We are fortunate to have many mentors within our radiation oncology program playing a critical role in the development of the next generation of radiation oncologists and radiation scientists. This award adds to the proud and accomplished history within radiation oncology at Dartmouth Health. View the announcement on ASTRO website.
Published paper and research grant furthers Geisel student's research interests
Dartmouth team presents a double-digit number of original research presentations at the annual AAPM meeting, the premier forum for medical physics. Onward!
Dr. Melanie Rose (PGY3) selected for oral presentation at SIOP 2022
Dr. Kapadia received a $10,000 Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society grant
Dr. Nirav Kapadia (Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology) has received a $10,000 grant from the Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society Board of Directors to support his research proposal titled, "Defining Financial Toxicity Among Rural Radiation Oncology Patients
Congratulations to Erli Chen, FAAPM, FACR (medical physics adjunct faculty)
2022 Young Alumni Award from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Samuel F. Bakhoum, MD (2013), PhD (2011), returned to the Upper Valley to receive the 2022 Young Alumni Award from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He presented a special grand rounds on “Chromosomal Instability as a Driver of Cancer Evolution and Progression". Geisel Alumni Awards presentation (PDF) Samuel Bakhoum Young Alumni Award recipient bio
Drs. Thomas and Hunt, recently taught classes to the Biomedical Engineering 56
2022 Society of Chairs of Academic Radiation Oncology Programs (SCAROP ) annual meeting presentation
Dartmouth Radiation Oncology faculty, Dr. C.R. Thomas, presenting at the 2022 SCAROP annual meeting physician-scientist faculty recruitment and career development panel.
April 30, 2022
Dartmouth Radiation Oncology faculty, Dr. C.R. Thomas, Jr., present at MGH Cancer Equity Colloquium
Radiation Oncology seeking applications for Palliative Care Radiation Oncology Program Leader
The Dartmouth Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center are seeking applicants for a full-time clinical position, Palliative Care Radiation Oncology Program Leader (PDF), focusing on palliative care radiation therapy services.
January 2022
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our faculty member and esteemed colleague, Philip E. Schaner, MD, PhD, to the prestigious Head & Neck Cancer General Committee of NRG Oncology, the lead NCI Clinical Cooperative Group.
Dr. Schaner has published impactful original work in the translational research space for this disease site extending back to his time at UAB. Schaner, P., Head and Neck (PubMed). He will be our primary conduit between the NRG Head & Neck Committee and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center into the future, fully supported by Dartmouth Cancer Center's infrastructure for NRG-oncology. At Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Dr. Schaner will continue to lead NRG’s head & neck clinical trials.
Dartmouth Radiation Oncology and Applied Sciences presents at the 66th annual ASTRO meeting
Dartmouth Radiation Oncology and Applied Sciences presents a double-digit number of presentations at the 66th Annual ASTRO meeting in Fall 2024, including 6 first-author presentations from our resident housestaff. Onward! View the list of presentations (PDF).
Dartmouth medical physics team presents at the 2024 Annual AAPM Conference, July 2024
Dr. McVorran to present on “Teaching Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Faculty and Staff” at 2022 ASTRO annual meeting
Dr. McVorran is a faculty presenter on “Teaching Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Faculty and Staff” during the Master Class 04: Centering on Equity: Reflecting on Unconscious Bias, Dominant Culture and Privilege” at the 2022 ASTRO meeting (Room 303) on October 22, 2022nd
AAPM meeting presentations
Dartmouth team presents a double-digit number of original research presentations at the annual AAPM meeting, the premier forum for medical physics. Onward!
2nd Annual Radiation Oncology Research Retreat
DartmouthCancer Center Radiation Oncology Research Retreat will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Presentation format and time guidelines (PDF).
Dr. Melanie Rose (PGY3) selected for oral presentation at SIOP 2022
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
Dr. C.R. Thomas, Jr., presents on "Intersectionality in Workplace & Health Equity" during the Poster Discussion Session titled "Professional Development & Education Advances" at the ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) annual meeting on Sat., June 4, 2022, in Chicago.
Daniel A. Alexander, PhD; Savannah M. Decker; Mahbubur Rahman and Austin Sloop, MS, students in the Dartmouth Medical Physics Graduate Program and advisees of faculty member and colleague, Brian W. Pogue, PhD, will be presenting at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Spring Clinical Meeting. During the Early-Career Investigator Symposium, Dr. Alexander and his team will present “Clinic-Wide Cherenkov Imaging Identifies New Areas of Quality Improvement in Radiation Therapy”, Savannah Decker’s team will present “Automated Detection Algorithms for Improving Radiotherapy Delivery That Directly Quantify Treatment Errors From Online In Vivo Cherenkov Imaging”, and Austin Sloop’s team will present “Characterization of Newly Designed EDGE Detector for UHDR FLASH Radiotherapy”
Two posters prepared by teams that included Mahbubur Rahman were accepted for the Best Poster Competition. The posters are titled “In Vivo Cherenkov Imaging Monitors FLASH RT” and “Intensity Modulation in Electron UHDR FLASH Radiotherapy”. AAPM received hundreds of submissions for participation in the Best Poster Competition and the Early-Career Investigator Symposium. Congratulations to these young investigators and the Dartmouth Medical Physics Education Program.
Charles R. Thomas, MD, Section Chief for Radiation Oncology, will present the Dr. Luther Brady Lecture during the conference.
Joseph S. Kascmar, RT(R)(T), CMD, MBA, FACHE, Director of Radiation Oncology, will present "Building a Practice" at the ACRO SEALs Radiation Oncology Summit.
Faculty member and colleague, Gregory A. Russo, MD, will present “MRI Guided Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: A New Way of Seeing” during the Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society (NNECOS) – 2021 Annual Meeting..
ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, January 20-22, 2022
