As we welcome April—Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month—we are reminded that these diagnoses can affect some of the most essential parts of daily life: speaking, eating, swallowing and connecting with others. At the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, our focus is not only on treating the cancer, but on supporting the whole person throughout treatment and recovery.
Patients with head and neck cancer benefit most when care is delivered by an experienced, highly specialized team. Our head and neck program is led by Roi Dagan, MD, MS, and strengthened by the decades of expertise of William M. Mendenhall, MD, FACR and Curtis Bryant, MD, MPH. Together with our multidisciplinary physicians, therapists, nurses and support staff, theyhelp ensure that every treatment plan is personalized, evidence-based and guided by outcomes research.
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation that allows our team to precisely target tumors while limiting an unnecessary dose to nearby healthy tissues. For many people with head and neck cancer, this approach may help reduce treatment-related side effects—such as dry mouth, mouth soreness and changes in appetite—that can be difficult during and after radiation. Throughout this month’s newsletter, you’ll meet individuals whose stories reflect what inspires us every day: pairing leading-edge technology with compassionate, expert care. Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting our mission to advance cancer care.
With gratitude for your trust and support,
Kristin Heath, DBA, MBA, MHA
Executive Director
