Dr. Eric Whitman, the medical director of the oncology service line at Atlantic Health System, was trying to explain why the transformative Mevion S250-FIT Proton Therapy System, which will be installed at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center, is such a transformative moment for the hospital, Atlantic Health and the state.
Halfway through a sentence-turned physics lesson that was just starting to explain the difference between photons and protons, Whitman caught himself. He then delivered the bullet points that brought the issue home for the more than 150 people at the groundbreaking Tuesday morning, including:
- Proton therapy employs charged particles to deliver highly precise treatment;
- The increased accuracy helps protect healthy tissue and vital organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs, while effectively targeting tumors and improving patient outcomes;
- The nature of the treatment makes it ideal not only when treating adult cancers of the neck, head and breast but also in pediatric cancer.
Then there’s this factoid, which may best explain the sense of optimism and joy better than any other: Morristown Medical Center will be the first in New Jersey and among only four institutions in the country to offer this advanced proton therapy.
“It’s incredibly exciting to help usher in a new era of cutting-edge radiation oncology services that will improve the treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients,” Whitman said. “As the clinical benefits of, and indications for, proton therapy continue to expand, the addition of the Mevion S250-FIT proton therapy system is an achievement that highlights Atlantic Health’s dedication to innovation and personalized cancer care.”
To be clear, Morristown and Atlantic Health are not the first hospital in New Jersey to offer proton therapy. In fact, Morristown and others have for some time.
But the Mevion S250-FIT Proton Therapy System – Whitman calls it the 6.0 version of care – far exceeds what others currently are using.
“This is next generation,” he said.
And for reasons other than its precision.
This effort in proton therapy comes in a much smaller scale. Instead of literally needing an entire building – as some earlier versions did – the Mevion S250-FIT proton therapy system is the first to be able to fit into a linear accelerator vault, which the hospital already has.
To be sure, the installation still will be difficult, but not as challenging as it could have been. For that reason, Morristown Medical Center President Trish O’Keefe said Morristown officials are confident the new system will be treating patients by as soon as the third quarter of next year.
“We are excited to watch this construction progress, knowing that the patients will have improved access to cutting-edge radiation therapy, leading the way to provide the best and the highest quality to our community that they so deserve at Atlantic Health and at Morristown Medical Center,” she told the crowd.
O’Keefe said the new system reinforces the bond the hospital has with the community.
“To see our proton vision truly coming to life today, enabling us to offer this highly advanced therapy, is truly remarkable,” she said.
The community’s appreciation for Morristown Memorial and Atlantic Health was just as apparent.
More than $12.5 million in donor support made it possible for Atlantic Health to bring in this latest advancement in cancer treatment to its communities. The Mevion system is estimated to cost $35 million.
Among the lead donors: Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust; The Ferreira Family; Gagnon Family Foundation; The Carl J. Goldberg Family Charitable Fund; Douglas M. Noble Family Foundation; Robert and Catherine Tafaro; and Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center.
Morristown Memorial Hospital Board Chair Laura Kelly said the impact of the donors’ generosity will be tremendous.
“This morning’s groundbreaking marks a significant leap forward in our mission to build healthier communities,” she said.
Atlantic Health CEO Saad Ehtisham, who began in the role this summer, said the event is a milestone moment for the system. He said the new proton therapy system and the partnership Atlantic Health has with Mevion means a lot.
“I want to think about it and dream bigger beyond our community, regionally and nationally, and how we set ourselves apart,” he said.
