A Message from Dr. Metz
Hello Radiation Oncology! Even in this challenging year, our team finds ways to engage, reach out, and make a difference. I am always impressed with the ways our team comes up with new ideas and events. I sincerely hope we will be moving to more in person events in the coming year and we can include all kinds of photos of us getting together in person. I am cautiously optimistic that we may be able to do some limited in person events for some of our graduations in the late Spring. I am also optimistic that some of our medical conferences will have in person meetings. I certainly miss getting together with our colleagues from other institutions and having lively discussions on new ideas, treatment techniques, and research. I am hopeful that some of this travel may resume in the Fall. I want to thank everyone that has been involved in our recruitments for our medical and physics residency programs this year. We have fantastic residents joining the department this Summer and we could not do it without all your help, especially in a year where everything was virtual. Please enjoy this edition of the newsletter and keep the submissions coming!!
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Arrival of the Cycloton for Proton Therapy at Lancaster General Health!
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is opening up a new proton therapy center at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, and their cyclotron was delivered in January! A virtual celebration of this milestone was on January 29 at 12:30pm, hosted by Dr. James Metz, Chair of Penn Radiation Oncology and Dr. Randall Oyer, Medical Director, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, Lancaster General Health.
The event featured remarks from health system leadership, including:
- Larry Jameson, MD, PhD Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Dean, Perelman School of Medicine
- Kevin Mahoney CEO, University of Pennsylvania Health System
- James Metz, MD Henry K. Pancoast Professor and Chair of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine; Associate Director for Clinical Services and Programs at the Abramson Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Mike Wege Chair, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Board of Trustees; Member, University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees
- Jan Bergen President & Chief Executive Officer, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
- Kolleen T. Kennedy President, Varian Proton Solutions, Chief Growth Officer
- Randall Oyer, MD Medical Director, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, Lancaster General Health
Proton Therapy at Virtua
Progress continues on the construction of the proton center at Virtua Health in Voorhees, NJ! Exterior building signage has been selected for the building as shown in the image above. The proton center at Virtua is slated to open in 2022.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Don’t miss our new website!
Check out the Radiation Oncology website for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which went live on Martin Luther King Day (January 18, 2021). Created by RadOnc’s Subcommittee for Education and Resources in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), working in concert with our RadOnc DEI Committee, the following topics are included among its pages:
- Highlights on Underrepresented Minorities in Science and Medicine
- DEI in the RadOnc Community
- RadOnc Global Engagement
- Listen Deeply: An Educational Resource
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Radiation Oncology Solidarity Statement
- Useful DEI Links at UPenn
We invite you to visit the site regularly, as we continue to update resources, add information on ongoing initiatives, and expand educational material.
Recognizing Black History Month
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all who participated in our Black History Month initiatives! Our DEI Committees organized two activities in February in celebration of Black History month. You made these activities a big success!
Sock Drive
During February, RadOnc collected donations for Philly Unknown, a grass roots organization that works directly in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Thanks to your generosity, we collected over 1,000 items, including sock'rolls (400 socks and 600 granola bars); toiletries (toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, lotion); hand sanitizer and wipes; and cereal and other food items.
Quizzo
Congratulations to Susan Mazzoni - winner of the Black History Month Quizzo! In recognition of her first place finish, Susan is receiving a Penn Medicine, Radiation Oncology jacket. We extend a thank you to all of the other individuals and teams who participated in this contest.
Cardboard Cutouts
The Patient Engagement team did not let social distancing prevent them from connecting our patients to support during the pandemic. They added the warm, smiling faces of our patient alumni members in the waiting room with messaging about their upcoming programs in the safest way possible — as cardboard cutouts! In addition to recruiting new members to available programs, the cutouts also mark seats where patients are not permitted to sit in the waiting room, maintaining social distancing.
Patient Engagement Team has transitioned many programs to be virtual. Check out the blog article about ways we have kept patients engaged throughout the pandemic.
PPMC Patient Celebrates 100th Birthday
Happy belated birthday to a very special patient, James Mitchell! James was on treatment for liver cancer under the supervision of Dr. Manuj Agarwal. When our Radiation Oncology team at Penn Presbyterian learned it was his birthday, they knew a celebration was in order. James was honored with a small (masked) party when he came in for treatment. May this year bring you joy and many memories, James!
Oncolink Milestone: 100,000 Survivorship Care Plans Created
On March 1st, in a cancer clinic in Beijing, China, OncoLife was used to create its 100,000th survivorship care plan (SCP) for a patient. When the OncoLink team launched OncoLife in 2007, they had no idea what was in store. Over the 14 years, this tool has evolved through 11 versions. The content has expanded to include long term and late effects information, follow up care, healthy living, psychosocial and practical tips and resources. OncoLife is the only SCP tool available in Spanish and uses an adaptive questionnaire to make the user experience easier. This tool is used all over the world by healthcare providers and patients to create SCPs. At most Penn Medicine sites, you can access the Care Plan builder in PennChart – just use the “more options” dropdown menu and look for OncoLink Tools. Learn more about the PennChart app on www.oncolink.org/pennchart
Proton Alumni Reception Has Gone Virtual!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 5:00 - 7:30pm
Last year, we sadly had to cancel the annual Proton Patient Alumni Reception. However, the Patient Engagement team is pleased to announce that this event will take place virtually on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 5:00 - 7:00pm. The event will feature remarks from Penn Medicine leadership, a patient networking opportunity, wellness sessions from our Quality of Life practitioners, and entertainment.
You are invited to leave a message of encouragement and well wishes to our patients, which will be featured on the event website. Please use the link below to add your message!
Announcements
Save the Date: Speakers' Series Spring 2021
Please join us in our endeavor to fold 1,000 paper cranes – virtually! This project is open to any interested patients as well as RadOnc faculty and staff! We are well on our way with 355 cranes folded! Check out the completed cranes here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/penncranes
Together we hope to create a digital collection of 1,000 paper cranes folded by patients, caregivers, healthcare workers, and other community members as a symbol of healing and hope. This project is inspired by an ancient Japanese legend: If an ill person folded 1,000 paper cranes, then that person would get well! As a community, we support each other and hope to create these cranes as a sign of support for one another.
Origami practitioner Sophia Kim will be hosting virtual folding lessons Wednesdays at 9am, until the project is complete.
- Join Sophia online on Wednesdays: https://bluejeans.com/2560843963
- Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennCancer/events/?ref=page_internal
- Step by step instructions on OncoLink's website: www.oncolink.org/relax
- Submit a photo of your crane: https://forms.gle/QzdWMCSWF6gpSjHo8
Please email RadOncPatientEngagement@uphs.upenn.edu with any questions.
Check Out RadOnc's Wall of Gratitude!
Click on the link below to view RadOnc's Wall of Gratitude, which includes messages of thanks to our faculty and staff, the department videos featured in Dr. Metz's daily emails, as well as schedule of food donation deliveries.
Don't forget to take a moment for yourself, checkout the virtual options:
Have You Recognized Someone Today?
DON'T FORGET: You can recognize a colleague at any time by submitting the recognition form found at https://redcap.med.upenn.edu/surveys/?s=HPKUea (direct link is below). Bookmark this web page for easy access in the future!
Meet the Newest Members of Our Team!
Elizabeth Antonelli
Elizabeth joins the department as a Radiation Therapist. Previously, she worked as a Center Manager at UCA Prostate Cancer Center. Elizabeth has her BHS in Radiation Therapy from Gwynedd Mercy University. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.antonelli@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Michael Brown
Michael joins the department as a Radiation Therapist. Previously Michael worked as a per diem radiation therapist, and has Bachelor of Science from Gwynedd-Mercy University. Michael enjoys knitting, drag queen performance, cooking/baking, and riding unicorns over rainbows. Contact Michael at michael.brown@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Kimberly Cassidy
Kim joins the department as a Practice Manager for Chester County Hospital. Previously, she worked as a Patient Service Coordinator at Penn Transplant Institute - Heart Transplant. Kim has her degree from Saint Joseph’s University & Bachelor of Science, Psychology/Art, and is currently working towards a Master’s in Health Administration & Health Informatics. In her spare time, Kim is a Ceramic & Art Enthusiast and enjoys Restoring Vintage Furniture & Baking. Contact Kim at Kimberly.Cassidy@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Georgie Denneny
Georgie joins the department as a Radiation Therapist. Previously, she worked as a radiation therapist at St. Luke's University Health Network and has her Bachelors of Radiologic Science from Thomas Jefferson University. Contact Georgie at georganna.denneny@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Dominique Grant
Dominique joins the department as a Patient Service Coordinator at PCAM. Previously, she was a Patient Service Associate in the float pool. Dominique has a high school diploma and loves being a mom! Contact Dominique at Dominique.Grant@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Tara Pena
Tara joins the department as a Patient Service Associate at Chester County Hospital. Previously, she worked at Nemours Dupont Pediatrics as a PSA, and at Chester County Hospital's NICU as a Unit Coordinator. In her spare time, Tara enjoys caring for her tropical fish, crafts, and doing anything outside! Contact Tara at Tara.Pena@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Chau Tran
Chau joins the department as Dosimetrist Treatment Planner. Chau has a Master of Science in Radiologic Science Imaging and previously worked as a dosimetrist. In her spare time, Chau enjoys gardening. Contact Chau at Chau.Tran@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Haley Zukowski-Echols
Haley joins the department as a Radiation Therapist. Previously, she was an X-ray technologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and has her Bachelors in Radiography and Radiation Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. In her spare time, Haley enjoys baking, reading, and traveling. Contact Haley at haley.zukowski-echols@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Appointments
Dr. Manuj Agarwal
As we continue to reflect on this past year, and refocus our attention on our Department’s Strategic Plan, we are pleased to announce the creation of a more formalized role to lead our Wellness initiatives. Effective immediately, Dr. Manuj Agarwal will begin tackling the task of evolving our culture of wellness for the Department, as Director of Strategic Wellness Initiatives.
In a “post-COVID” era, and in a changing work-place environment, it is a critical time to evaluate and build upon opportunities to enhance wellness across the Department. Wellness is an issue we need to address across our varying roles and locations in the department. As a network physician at our Penn Presbyterian location, we are particularly excited for Manuj to take on this role. He will bring a unique perspective and drive engagement across all our sites. His enthusiasm for wellness has already begun to take root (some of you may have joined his Peloton group), and he is eager to build upon these initiatives to further define, and foster a culture of wellness for Radiation Oncology as a whole.
We also want to sincerely thank Dr. Josh Jones for leading Wellness over the past several years in the Department. Josh spearheaded several successful initiatives that improved overall wellbeing, particularly in the clinic, and continued to advocate for wellness throughout COVID. Through Josh’s leadership, he established a strong foundation for Wellness in the department!
David Alkins
We are very pleased to announce that David Alkins has accepted the position of Director of Technical Operations in our department . Dave received a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology from Pennsylvania College of Technology and has been with Penn Medicine, Corporate IS since May 2010.
Michelle Clark-Halligan, BSN, RN
We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Clark-Halligan, BSN, RN to the role of Nurse Manager of PCAM starting March 8th. Michelle has been in the department for over 3.5 years serving as a clinical nurse on the CNS team, the Charge Nurse at PCAM, and leading projects to improve the Allied Health visits. Her leadership overall has helped implement many improvements. Michelle has great understanding of the flow of the clinic and demonstrates what it means to be a Radiation Oncology Nurse at Penn Medicine by exhibiting compassion in her care for her patients.
Michelle started her education endeavors in Exercise Science. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science from West Chester University and went on to receive her Master’s in Exercise Science. Michelle quickly realized that her true passion would be fulfilled through a career in Nursing; therefore, she returned to school and graduated from Drexel University with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Michelle officially started her career at HUP on Rhoads 3, Medical Oncology, where she worked for 7 years.
Conferences
Manuj Agarwal, MD and Neil Taunk, MD participated in a live, national event for the American Brachytherapy Society on March 4, 2021. Their session, Overcoming Obstacles to your Brachytherapy Practice: Practical Tips to Optimize Practice, discussed how to build a brachytherapy program, obstacles to starting a brachytherapy program, opportunities to grow and engage other specialties, pitfalls to avoid, and pearls to be successful.
Awards
ACRO Re-Accreditation at Cherry Hill
We have achieved ACRO re-accreditation at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology at Cherry Hill. This is a 4-year accreditation that will take us through December 2025. Congratulations to the accreditation core team!
“ACRO Accreditation continues to be an innovator and a leader for radiation oncology practice accreditation. Since 2010, ACRO Accreditation has used an online process for reviewing medical charts. Under this innovative and modern system, highly skilled physician reviewers are grouped into teams according to specialization, and work under the oversight of a disease site team leader. Our comprehensive virtual site visit process will include a pre-visit document review, video interviews of key personnel, virtual facility inspection, and detailed reviews of all quality metrics and all elements of the practice’s QA programs. This virtual process will maintain ACRO Accreditation’s high-quality standards.”
Daisy Award Honoree
Congratulations to Theresa Rutnya, BSN, RN, NE-BC, who was an Ambulatory Daisy Award Honoree for January 2021!
Breakthrough Bike Challenge Bob Van Dang Leader Award
Congratulations to Christina Marchesani, MBA on receiving the 2019 Bob Van Dang Leader Award for the Breakthrough Bike Challenge! This award recognizes individuals who have promoted the Breakthrough Bike Challenge within the University of Pennsylvania community—raising awareness amongst Penn riders, volunteers, donors, faculty, and administrators.
Chester County Hospital Celebrates National Women Physician Day
The RadOnc team at CCH honored their two women physicians, Dr. Ann Marie Siegal and Dr. Kristina Novick, with a special lunch to celebrate National Women Physicians Day on February 3.
Online registration will open on April 1, 2021!
The Beam of Life Team is preparing for another successful year! Look out for more information and updates from the Beam of Life Co-Captain, Christina Marchesani. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Christina at Christina.marchesani@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Join our Facebook Group: Breakthrough Bike Challenge Beam of Life Team https://www.facebook.com/groups/826233537487908/about
Follow us on Instagram: BBCBeamOfLife
ACES Presents: Music Therapy with Allie
Tuesdays from 12:30 - 1pm
These sessions will be hosted via BlueJeans, and all staff, faculty, and students are welcome. Allie is our very talent patient engagement practitioner, who has kindly offered her wonderful services to our Department employees and students. Music Therapy offers an opportunity to ground yourself with music and mindfulness exercises – we cannot praise Allie enough for her gift!
Please indicate interest by using our sign-up link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044EABA82BA1FC1-music
Five Questions With...
Michele Kim, PhD
Assistant Professor, Physics
1. What is a typical work day like for you, and how much has changed since COVID-19?
Clinical days are filled with physics tasks at PCAM, including chart checks, calls from the machines, and various other miscellaneous tasks. Research days, I like to try to write or do data analysis from home (so that I am near my plants), but if measurements are needed or if there is an experiment happening, you can often find me in the proton research room! Since COVID-19, I’ve had a well-balanced mix of on-site and remote working days.
2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?
After receiving my training here (Penn for life), I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else! The people that I get to work with is my favorite part, and I continue to learn from them every day.
3. What are you most looking forward to doing as things start to open up?
I can’t wait to attend concerts and shows and have our Kimmel subscription back.
4. What is your secret talent that no one knows about?
I’m VERY good at gift wrapping. I won a gift wrapping competition in middle school.
5. What is the best concert/ live performance you have ever attended?
Philly’s smaller concert venues have been amazing, but one of the best experiences was when we got called on a Friday by a friend to attend Elton John in a box at Wells Fargo. In terms of musicals: Waitress with Sara Bareilles on Broadway, Little Shop of Horrors off Broadway, Hamilton in Philly, Shrek the Musical at the Walnut Street Theater.
Here at Home: Global Education Program
Our Global Education Program has continued virtually as we welcome virtual visiting physicians from Rutherford Cancer Center in the United Kingdom. The first group of virtual visitors joined us in January and the next groups will join in April & May.
New Assistant Chief Resident - Medical Residency
It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Dr. Nishant Shah as our next Assistant Chief Resident in the Department of Radiation Oncology at University of Pennsylvania, effective July 1, 2021.
Dr. Shah will work closely with the current Chief Residents, Drs. Mohiuddin and Kegelman, as he transitions into his new role over the coming months. He will officially assume the title in July as Dr. Kegelman becomes the Senior Chief Resident.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Shah, and in acknowledging the talents that earned him this leadership role. Let us also take this opportunity to thank Dr. Mohiuddin in advance for his exemplary service to the department over the past 2 years.
New Chief Resident - Medical Physics Residency Program
Michael Salerno, PhD, MBA, who will work closely with the current Chief Resident, Hui Lin, PhD, as he transitions into his new role over the coming months. He will assume the title in July.
Medical Residency Match Results
Medical Physics Graduate Students Research Presentations
Masters of Medical Physics - Virtual Visit Day
The Medical Physics Graduate Programs hosted a successful Virtual Visit Day for admitted applicants to the Master of Science in Medical Physics and Certificate in Medical Physics programs. Over 20 faculty, staff, and students highlighted unique features of the programs, presented research, shared advice, and discussed experiences with prospective students considering admission. Virtual Visit Day highlighted our special and collaborative Medical Physics community at Penn.
Publications
Conn CS, Yang H, Tom HJ, Ikeda K, Oses-Prieto JA, Vu H, Oguri Y, Nair S, Gill RM, Kajimura S, DeBerardinis RJ, Burlingame AL, Ruggero D. Nat Metab. The major cap-binding protein eIF4E regulates lipid homeostasis and diet-induced obesity. 2021 Feb;3(2):244-257. doi: 10.1038/s42255-021-00349-z. Epub 2021 Feb 18. PMID: 33619378
Dreyfuss AD, Goia D, Shoniyozov K, Shewale SV, Velalopoulou A, Mazzoni S, Avgousti H, Metzler SD, Bravo PE, Feigenberg SJ, Ky B, Verginadis II, Koumenis C. A novel mouse model of radiation-induced cardiac injury reveals biological and radiological biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction with potential clinical relevance. Clin Cancer Res. 2021 Feb 4:clincanres.3882.2020. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-20-3882. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33542079
Jean-Baptiste SR, Feigenberg SJ, Dorsey JF, Kao GD. Personal and Prognostic: Tissue and Liquid Biomarkers of Radiotherapeutic Response in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Semin Radiat Oncol. 2021 Apr;31(2):149-154. doi: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2020.11.002. PMID: 33610272 Review.
Katz SI, Roshkovan L, Berger I, Friedberg JS, Alley EW, Simone CB 2nd, Haas AR, Cengel KA, Sterman DH, Albelda SM. Serum soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) and fibulin-3 levels correlate with baseline malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) tumor volumes but are not useful as biomarkers of response in an immunotherapy trial. Lung Cancer. 2021 Jan 14;154:5-12. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.01.011. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33561782
Moran BJ, Koroulakis A, Decesaris C, Braccioforte MH, Amin N, Agarwal M: Long Term Outcomes of a Prospective Randomized Trial of 131Cs/125I Permanent Prostate Brachytherapy. Brachytherapy S1538-4721(20): 30142-2, Oct 2020 Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.07.005.
Pierini S, Mishra A, Perales-Linares R, Uribe-Herranz M, Beghi S, Giglio A, Pustylnikov S, Costabile F, Rafail S, Amici A, Facciponte JG, Koumenis C, Facciabene A. J Combination of vasculature targeting, hypofractionated radiotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitor elicits potent antitumor immune response and blocks tumor progression. Immunother Cancer. 2021 Feb;9(2):e001636. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001636. PMID: 33563772
Sanders JC, Showalter TN, Ouhib Z, Thomadsen BR, Jacob D, Agarwal Manuj, Cohen GN, Giles M, Palaniswammy P, Solanki AA, Taunk NK: Safety practices and opportunities for improvement in brachytherapy: A patient safety practices survey of the American Brachytherapy Society membership. Brachytherapy S1538-4721(20): 30189-6, Sep 2020 Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.08.014.
Thomas C, Karagounis IV, Srivastava RK, Vrettos N, Nikolos F, Francois N, Huang M, Gong S, Long Q, Kumar S, Koumenis C, Krishnamurthy S, Ueno NT, Chakrabarti R, Maity A. Estrogen receptor β-mediated inhibition of actin-based cell migration suppresses metastasis of inflammatory breast cancer. Cancer Res. 2021 Jan 29:canres.2743.2020. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-20-2743. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33514514
Credits:
Created with images by Gibson Hurst™ - "untitled image" • PublicDomainPictures - "backdrop background blank board brown bulletin business" • Bru-nO - "welcome chalk flashlights" • Chris Murray - "Shot along the Schuylkill River, with the Philadelphia Art Museum and the center city skyline as the backdrop." • pixelcreatures - "globe earth old globe" • Christopher Gower - "Focus" • Mahendra Kumar - "untitled image"