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 …
Please enjoy the Spring 2026 issue of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Human Oncology (DHO) newsletter.
Radiation Medicine is built on collaboration. Beyond physicians and physicists, an entire team of specialists plays a vital role in advancing patient care. This series shines a spotlight on those professionals—their responsibilities, their expertise, and the people behind the titles. Our goal is to help you appreciate the depth and diversity of work that makes Radiation …
Differences in how cancer cells mutate and what fuels their growth mean that even for two patients with prostate cancer, one treatment approach can work better for one patient than the other. Dr. Shuang George Zhao, associate chair for research in the University of Wisconsin Department of Human Oncology and a UW Carbone Cancer Center …
When Dr. Jennifer Smilowitz boarded a plane to Costa Rica earlier this year, she was stepping into an experience that blended language immersion, community health, academic collaboration, and global professional growth. Over two weeks, she balanced morning volunteer work in a community clinic with intensive afternoon Spanish classes. For Dr. Smilowitz, a medical physicist in …
Eastpark Medical Center has delivered its first treatment using a newly engineered frame designed specifically for Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET), offering patients with mycosis fungoides a more precise and customizable care option close to home. Mycosis fungoides is a rare form of cutaneous T‑cell lymphoma. While uncommon, the condition is highly responsive to electron‑based …
As she prepares to graduate this June from the University of Wisconsin Department of Human Oncology’s Radiation Oncology Physics Residency Program, second-year resident Elissa Khoudary is already gaining national recognition for her leadership and commitment to the field. Khoudary is one of only five individuals who have been selected for the American Association of Physicists …
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Grace Blitzer has been selected as the 2025–2026 recipient of the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) Educator of the Year Award—an honor driven by enthusiastic resident nomination and recognition of her exceptional dedication to teaching, mentorship, and clinical excellence. A graduate of our own program, Dr. …
Priming versus propagating: distinct immune effects of alpha- versus beta-particle emitting radiopharmaceuticals when combined with immune checkpoint inhibition in mice.Kerr CP, Jin WJ, Liu P, Grudzinski JJ, Ferreira CA, Comas Rojas H, Oñate AJ, Kwon O, Hyun M, Bio Idrissou M, Welch Schwartz R, Vera JM, Clark PA, Adeniyi A, Takashima M, Erbe AK, Shea AG, …
The Proton Therapy Medical Physics team at Eastpark Medical Center has been busy commissioning process for the gantry room of our new proton therapy system, which is anticipated to launch for patient care later this spring. Commissioning includes comprehensive characterization of the beam’s physical properties—energy, spot size, position, output consistency—as well as validation of treatment‑planning …