Virtual Reality Opens Patients’ Eyes to Their Own Cancerous Tumors
Former Resident Dr. Doug Holt showing VR images to patients
RadFlix
New technology allows cancer patients to watch movies during radiation
Now Open - Radiation Oncology at Cherry Creek Medical Center!
Running Up Mountains
Safety Sensation
Leah Schubert-led team takes the cake in IAEA Safety Culture Competition
Medical Physics Residency Program
Radiation Oncology
Quality, Performance, and Innovation in Cancer Care
Welcome to the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Our mission is to provide the highest quality care to patients with all types of cancers and certain benign tumors. The department aims to achieve excellence in professionalism and performance of our services. We seek to create a climate that fosters innovation and allows patients access to the newest cutting edge treatments.
The Department of Radiation Oncology is integrated within the award-winning, nationally celebrated University of Colorado Hospital, within the larger University of Colorado Health system. The University of Colorado Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
– Brian D. Kavanagh, MD, MPH, FASTRO, Professor and Chair
In the News...
4/13/23 - Atharva Peshkar awarded "BEST IN PHYSICS" for his submission to AAPM
Atharva Peshkar, our CU Boulder Computer Science graduate student, has been awarded “BEST IN PHYSICS” for his very first submission to AAPM. Best in Physics is awarded to the top 15 abstracts (5 from each category) out of typically ~>2200 submissions, so Atharva’s abstract was scored in the top <1% of submissions.
1/28/22 - Dr. Leah Schubert attains AAPM Fellowship
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Dr. Leah Schubert was recently nominated and awarded the title of fellow for the AAPM. Leah also recently was elected as a Board Member at Large for the Society of Directors of Academic Medical Physics Programs (SDAMPP). Please join us in congratulating Dr. Schubert!
12/05/21 - Therapists Improving Lives
Aaron Rodriguez was recently appointed to the position of lead CTSIM therapist at the Anschutz Campus. Aaron has done a fantastic job in CTSIM and been recognized for his technical expertise and patient care multiple times. He has also been a vital part of the peds team with his amazing mask artwork (see example of his “Homer needs a doughnut” piece). His patient care was also recently featured in the “Improving Lives” section of the Cancer Connector.
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11/10/21 - Dr. Milgrom selected for Young Investigator Award
Dr. Sarah Milgrom was recently selected for a Young Investigator Award from the Children’s Oncology Group for her work on using PET scans to predict prognosis in pediatric patients treated for lymphoma. An interview with Dr. Milgrom discussing her work can be found here.
8/1/21 - Dr. Ridings and Dr. Olsen selected as Top Docs in Colorado Springs Magazine
4/5/21 - Dr. Sana Karam named Marsico Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Research
Sana Karam, MD, PhD, associate professor of radiation oncology, has been named the Marsico Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Research. This chair was established by longtime School of Medicine supporter Thomas
F. Marsico. Dr .Karam conducts laboratory and translational clinical research focused on head and neck cancer. We are grateful to Mr. Marsico for generous support of this and other academic endeavors across the university.
3/22/21 - Funding galore!
Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Bickett on his recent F32 funding success! The funds will be used to study the role of NK cells in modulating immune response to radiation therapy in head and neck cancer.
Additionally, congratulations to Dr. Tracy Shefter, physician champion of a $500,000 grant recently awarded to our Cancer Center! A full article on this achievement can be found on the Cancer Center's new blog.
2/26/21 - Lead Radiation Therapist Mary Mrozek named MSPCU Rock Star of the Month, March 2021
Congratulations to Mary Mrozek on this outstanding award!
10/14/20 - Dr. Jeff Olsen Appointed to ASTRO Health Advisory Council
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Olsen, who was recently chosen to serve on the ASTRO Health Advisory Council!
9/30/20 - Dr. Sarah Milgrom Announces NCI Study Contract
Dr. Sarah Milgrom was recently awarded a multi-institutional NCI contract for an upcoming study. Here is what she stated she and her colleagues will be exploring:
Subsequent malignant neoplasms are an important late effect of radiation therapy in survivors of childhood cancers. To date, no study has directly compared the risk of subsequent cancers in children treated with proton versus photon therapy. The Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will obtain data regarding a large cohort of pediatric patients treated with photon and proton therapy in order to quantify the subsequent cancer risk. We were awarded a contract to provide data regarding children treated with photon therapy at the University of Colorado. These data will be used to quantify second cancer risk and to evaluate the risks and benefits of proton versus photon therapy for children with cancer. Large-scale, collaborative efforts are urgently required to address these questions, and we are honored to contribute to this important work.
9/15/20 - Dr. Cem Altunbas Receives RO1 Grant.jpg?sfvrsn=d442aeb9_0&MaxWidth=300&MaxHeight=300&ScaleUp=false&Quality=High&Method=ResizeFitToAreaArguments&Signature=3666875DCB76AA7FB6C10E137E8C248543F2C27F "altunbas")
Dr. Cem Altunbas recently received an RO1 grant from NCI. The grant will be used to fund his project on improving tissue visualization and quantitative accuracy in CBCT guided radiation therapy.
Congratulations, Dr. Altunbas!
9/8/20 - Satellite location at Cherry Creek Medical Center Opens
We're excited to announce that our satellite location at the newly-minted Cherry Creek Medical Center is now open for business!
7/22/20 - Dr. Olsen Recognized as Memorial Oncology Service Line Physician of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Olsen, who was recently awarded the Memorial Oncology Service Line Physician of the Year. We're proud to see Dr. Olsen and his fantastic work recognized this year!
7/8/20
Running Up Mountains - Scott Ryberg, patient of Dr. Ryan Lanning, featured in the CU Anschutz Newsroom
Scott Ryberg, a patient of Dr. Ryan Lanning, was the center of a recent article released through the CU Anschutz Newsroom. The article journals Scott's journey, and includes insight from Dr. Lanning and colleagues on their roles in his story. The full article can be found at the CU Anschutz Newsroom.
6/03/20
Dr. Wandrey-Bhardwaj recognized as GME COVID Champion
PGY2 Dr. Wandrey-Bhardwaj was recognized as a GME COVID Champion for her contributions to patient care outside our department in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations on a job well done, Dr. Wandrey-Bhardwaj!
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