The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Human Oncology has been renamed, effective July 1, 2026, the Department of Radiation Medicine.

Since its founding in 1975, the Department of Human Oncology has played a central role in advancing cancer care, research, and education. As a cornerstone of the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center—one of the first six National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States—the department brought together physicians and scientists across radiation oncology, medical oncology, and cancer biology. This collaborative model integrated clinical care, laboratory discovery, and education into the broader academic mission of the University.

Over time, the department’s focus evolved. Following the transition of medical oncology faculty to the Department of Medicine in 1997, its work increasingly centered on radiation oncology and imaging science. Today, three core areas—Clinical Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Physics, and Cancer Biology—collaborate to deliver exceptional patient care, advance innovative research, and train the next generation of clinicians and scientists.

The new name, Department of Radiation Medicine, reflects both the department’s current scope and its future direction. While cancer care remains central to its mission, the field of radiation therapy is expanding beyond oncology. Emerging applications in cardiac, neurological, musculoskeletal, and soft tissue conditions are creating new opportunities to improve patient outcomes through highly targeted, low-risk therapies.

This name change honors a distinguished legacy while embracing a broader and more inclusive vision for the future. It underscores the department’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and education in advancing the science and practice of radiation-based medicine.

The Department of Radiation Medicine looks forward to this exciting new chapter.