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What’s New... What’s New... What’s New...

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami Cancer Institute Launches MR

Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Image-Guided Linac Radiation Therapy

Surgery Receives NIH Research Training Grant Miami Cancer Institute, part of
Baptist Health South Florida and
the state’s only member of the
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Alliance, proudly announced that it
has begun treating patients with
MR image-guided radiation therapy
with the installation of the ViewRay
MRIdian® Linac. Miami Cancer
Institute is the second site in the
United States to treat patients with
this treatment technology, adding
to its comprehensive radiation
oncology program - the only cancer
center in the world to offer each of
the latest radiation therapy tech-
nologies in one integrated location.
The ViewRay MRIdian Linac is
the world’s first and only FDA-
cleared MR image-guided radiation
therapy system. It provides a
unique combination of continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and simulta-
neous radiation therapy delivery for the treatment of cancer. MRI improves tumor vis-
ibility by clearly defining the targeted tumor from the surrounding soft tissue and
other critical organs. The ability to see both the tumor and surrounding organs con-
stantly throughout radiation delivery allows physicians to personalize treatment
(-r) Dr. Fred F. Telischi, Dr. Xue Zhong Liu, Dr. Stefania Goncalves, Dr. Carlos Green,
based on changes in the shape or location of the tumor and surrounding tissues using
and Dr. Donald T. Weed.
on-table adaptive therapy. As a result, physicians can quickly respond to subtle
anatomical changes observed on a daily basis and reshape the dose to better match the
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Otolaryngology– current contours of the tumor.
Head and Neck Surgery is one of eight otolaryngology training programs in the U.S. to
receive the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Research Lee Health Celebrates
Training Grant (T32) for interdisciplinary research training in otolaryngology.
The grant provides funding over five years to individual awardees with research train- Babcock Ranch Official Ribbon Cutting
ing in the basic sciences, in addition to their clinical training as otolaryngologists, that
will help them develop the necessary skills to become successful surgeon-scientists in
this rapidly evolving field.
This new and highly competitive program is designed to provide otolaryngology
residents one additional year of hands-on training as research fellows focused on the
study of different research projects related to hearing and communication disorders,
disorders of taste and smell, and other important pathologies affecting the upper
aerodigestive tract, including head and neck cancers and disorders of swallowing.
Each resident will train with a group of carefully matched faculty mentors who will
design individually tailored programs that encompass a base curriculum and special-
ized training in one of the focus areas. This approach is designed to enable trainees to
mature into independent investigators who can be clinically productive while also
making contributions to the practice and science of ear, nose and throat disorders.

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center

Becomes First Hospital in South Florida

to Perform Tricuspid Valve in Valve Procedure

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center advances its cardiac program as the first hos-
pital in South Florida to offer tricuspid valve in valve implantation for tricuspid regur-
gitation.
Tricuspid regurgitation is a heart condition that affects millions of Americans. Many
require surgical tricuspid valve replacement. Surgically placed valves can deteriorate
and malfunction over time. For many such patients, performing repeat open-heart
surgery to replace the defective valve can pose a high risk of complications. For such In the spirit of health and wellness, Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President and
patients, there is now a new treatment option which allows a structural heart special- CEO, and his Lee Health team, challenged Babcock Ranch Developer Syd Kitson and
ist to implant a new heart valve through a blood vessel in the leg, and within the old his team to a power-generating workout at the Healthy Life Center – Babcock Ranch,
malfunctioning valve. during opening ceremonies. Equipment at the new Center can add power to the com-
While “valve-in-valve” procedures are currently approved for mitral, pulmonary munity’s grid with each workout.
and aortic valve spaces, certain patients develop surgical valve degeneration in the tri- Syd Kitson (in the foreground) and Larry Antonucci (left) raced on rowers, to see
cuspid valve space. Some of these patients develop heart failure and are at high risk who could generate the most watts of power.
for repeat open-heart surgery. For such patients, a tricuspid valve-in-valve implanta-
tion can be planned in an effort to help.
"This procedure brings a safe and effective transcatheter therapy to patients who
wouldn’t be an ideal candidate for repeat open-heart surgery," said Dianne E-mail Your Editorial Submissions to
Goldenberg, chief executive officer at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. "I am
pleased our hospital continues to bring cutting edge technology to patients who need editorial@southfloridahospitalnews.com
valve replacement procedures.”

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com June 2018 25