MCLEAN, VA, May 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association for Proton Therapy announces the addition of three new members, Dr. J. Isabelle Choi, Kristin A. Morris and Jerry Rymar as well as the reelection of two existing members, Dr. Andrew Chang and Abram Gordon, to its board of directors for 2018. Each member will serve a three-year term.
Dr. Choi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland where she focuses on clinical research and treatment of breast, lung, and pediatric cancers at the University and its affiliated Maryland Proton Treatment Center. On a national level, she is Chair of the Proton Collaborative Group Publications Committee. She has conducted original, published research in thoracic, breast, skin and head and neck cancers.
Kristin Morris serves as Clinical Director of Technical Services for the Texas Center of Proton Therapy in Irving. She has 12 years of experience in proton therapy and has been directly involved in the opening of two high volume proton therapy centers in the United States. She also serves as an expert presenter for proton therapy lectures. Prior to joining the Texas Center for Proton Therapy, she was Chief Radiation Therapist at the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville.
Jerry Rymar, Manager of Clinical Partnerships and Education for ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, N.J., focuses on education of physicians, potential patients, healthcare institutions and the community about the benefits of proton therapy. He formerly served as Director of Business Development for The Heart Institute of New York. He is focused on improving insurance coverage for proton therapy, providing clear clinical data to support it and developing more efficient collaboration and communication between proton therapy centers.
“It is a privilege to welcome Dr. Choi, Ms. Morris and Mr. Rymar as new members to our board. We know their experience and perspective will be valuable as NAPT continues its work to educate and raise awareness about the clinical benefits of proton therapy across the country. ” said Vickie Miller, Chair of the NAPT board. “We are also pleased that Dr. Chang and Mr. Gordon have agreed to serve an additional term as board members. Each member brings a unique and rich expertise to our common goal of making proton therapy accessible and available to all those who need it.”
Dr. Andrew Chang is a pediatric radiation oncologist and President of Proton Doctors Professional Corp., a physician group and clinical service provider for California Protons Cancer Therapy Center in San Diego and ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City. He assisted in the startup of the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute in Bloomington, Ind., where he served as Director of Pediatric Radiation Oncology.
Abram Gordon serves as Executive Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Proton Therapy Center, where he has served since the institute’s construction. He came to that position from OHC, one of the largest independent oncology groups in the country. He served there in many positions including as CEO.
“We also want to share a note of appreciation to our departing board member, Dr. Andrew Lee,” said Miller. “He has served the NAPT board with faithfulness and distinction, and we look forward to his continued involvement with the association.”
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About The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT):
The National Association for Proton Therapy is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1990 to educate and increase awareness about the clinical benefits of proton therapy. The NAPT’s mission is to:
- Work collaboratively to educate and raise awareness of the clinical benefits of proton therapy among patients, providers, clinicians, payers, policymakers, and other stakeholders;
- Ensure patient choice and access to affordable proton therapy;
- Encourage cooperative research and innovation to advance the appropriate and cost-effective utilization of proton therapy.
The NAPT’s supporting members are world-renowned cancer centers, a number of whom are National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers and National Comprehensive Care Network (NCCN) members. A full list of our members may be found at: http://www.proton-therapy.org/.