FloridaProton

08/01/2025

Today is World Lung Cancer Day! We honor everyone affected by lung cancer and work to spread awareness about advances in treatment. At UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, we’re committed to providing the most advanced radiologic therapies for all patients, including those with lung cancer. In certain cases, lung cancer can be treated in just five sessions, compared to the 30 sessions often needed for other cancers.

Click here to learn more about the latest in lung cancer treatment: https://bit.ly/4lZlMBY

07/31/2025

We are proud of UF Health Shands Hospital and being a part of the UF Health Cancer Center to provide nationally ranked cancer care!

UF Health Shands Hospital is once again ranked among the nation’s best in the U.S. News & World Report 2025–26 “Best Hospitals” list.

Seven specialties earned national rankings:

• Cancer (No. 39)
• Geriatrics (No. 43)
• Ear, nose and throat (No. 47)
• Obstetrics and gynecology (No. 26)
• Neurology and neurosurgery (No. 39)
• Urology (No. 30)
• Pulmonology and lung surgery (No. 40)

University of Florida Health is also rated “high performing” in 19 adult procedures and treated conditions across the system, with additional recognitions at UF Health Jacksonville and UF Health Leesburg Hospital.

https://ufhealth.org/news/2025/seven-uf-health-specialties-among-nations-best-in-u-s-news-world-report-hospital-rankings

07/28/2025

✴️ Proton Therapy Research is Making Immediate Improvements in Patient Care ✴️

At UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, we are excited to share that we are already implementing the findings from a study by our very own medical physics team. By reducing the energy layer switching time of proton therapy delivered with the latest pencil beam scanning, the treatment delivery time has decreased and improved our operational efficiency. This means faster treatments, improved patient comfort, and crucially, better access to life-saving proton therapy.
Check out the full study at: https://bit.ly/3U0Yf7a

07/25/2025

Why does long term participation in clinical trials matter? The findings of COMPPARE, the national, patient-centered study led by Dr. Nancy Mendenhall "is poised to deliver insights that may reshape how prostate cancer is treated for years to come".

Take a moment to read the updates in the COMPPARE summer newsletter and understand why your participation in the COMPPARE study matters now more than ever: https://bit.ly/4mcMUNi

University of Florida Health Cancer Center

07/23/2025

As these individuals complete their radiation treatment journey, they take with them a community of love, support, and connection that will forever change their lives. From laughter-filled moments to late-night conversations, our patients build unbreakable bonds that help them heal and move forward. Congratulations to our newest proton graduates and their families!

Interested in what our center is like? Check out some photos here: https://bit.ly/472zMWC

07/21/2025

Congratulations to our incredible team of experts at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute! We are thrilled to announce that 5 of our Radiation Oncologists have been selected as Jacksonville Top Doctors by their peers in 2025. This prestigious recognition is a testament to their exceptional skill, expertise, and dedication to delivering the highest quality care to our patients. Our Radiation Oncologists are at the forefront of innovative cancer treatments, including proton therapy, and are committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the fight against cancer.

Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Top Doctors:
* Roi Dagan, MD, MS
* Daniel Indelicato, MD
* Nancy P. Mendenhall, MD, FACR, FASTRO
* William M. Mendenhall, MD, FACR
* Romaine C. Nichols, Jr., MD.

We are proud to have them as part of our team and look forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of our patients.
About our doctors: https://bit.ly/40o9pGP

University of Florida Health Cancer Center UF Health Jacksonville Jacksonville Magazine

07/18/2025

Danny Indelicato, MD, was among a group of sarcoma experts from the Children's Oncology Group that noted there were few outcome reports for certain types of rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft-tissue sarcoma found in the head and neck in young children. These experts took the time to review the research to help determine when radiation, often proton therapy, is essential for pediatric patients and determining ways to improve care outcomes for various risk groups of patients.

Read their report that is open to public review: https://bit.ly/454Y693

The Children's Oncology Group Foundation

07/17/2025

Thursdays are Art with a Heart days at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute lobby!

Sometimes people just pass by the table, curious to see what artwork is being created. Other times, patients stay for hours creating their own art. The goal of this program is to foster community among patients and their family members, provide them with an outlet for their thoughts and emotions, and reduce stress. This artwork is proof that these moments are happening, thanks to Art with a Heart in Healthcare!

07/16/2025

This week, breast cancer survivors are competing for the first time in a world dragon boat race in Germany. Several of them are from right here in Jacksonville, Fla., including Pam, who received her treatment at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. Read the recent article from Beth Reese Cravey, from The Florida Times-Union, on these amazing survivors and the history of Dragon Boat Racing in Jacksonville.

Stay tuned for the results of the race and an interview with Pam when she returns from Germany! The Florida Times-Union story: https://bit.ly/3GMF9i6

07/15/2025

I have cancer. Do I need radiation therapy?

With over 50% of cancer patients potentially needing radiation as a part of their treatment plan, understanding how radiation works and the treatment options is important. Read our latest Blog Spot to understand the importance of radiation, the benefits of proton beam radiation, and what to expect with radiation treatments: https://bit.ly/3ItIGlW.

Exploring cancer treatments? Learn about the benefits, risks and key differences between traditional radiation therapy and advanced proton therapy.

07/14/2025

Denise is a Proton Ambassador who shares her story as a chordoma survivor. She volunteers to speak at community events with UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and at other events, like a recent Chordoma Foundation Community Day in Jacksonville. Chordomas are extremely rare type of sarcoma, with fewer than 300 people diagnosed annually. It is vitally important to continue to raise awareness about the diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship of chordomas.

Find out more about chordomas: https://bit.ly/3TDRPec.

07/11/2025

Thoughts from sarcoma survivors and their families after proton therapy treatment at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute:

“Even though I was at my worst, we had the best time.” -Lauren.
"Hope in the Middle of a Storm" -The Mulholland's.
"It was such a relief when I started at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and found out that this really wasn't that bad." -Kathleen.

Find out how these sarcoma survivors approached treatment and survivorship after proton therapy in their stories: https://bit.ly/44IKVcq