Executive Director’s Message – February 2026
Thank you for reading the first newsletter of 2025 from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. As we begin another year, we are excited to continue celebrating the strength and resilience of our patients, especially as we share in the meaningful moment of ringing Aud’s Chime with those completing their cancer treatments. We also look forward to welcoming new families seeking compassionate care and support.
Letter to the Editor
We are writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional care and compassion shown during John's recent treatment for prostate cancer at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.
Tara Burch
Tara Burch is a mother of four, a foster parent of five, and a grandmother to eight. Her world is her family, her children, her church and her community.
Why Cancer Screenings Matter
Early detection is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. When a tumor is found before it shows symptoms, the chances of successful treatment rise dramatically, and the prognosis becomes far more optimistic.
20 Years of Progress in Proton Therapy: The Groundbreaking
On January 21, 2003, the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute broke ground on the first proton therapy facility in the southeastern United States, the fifth in the nation.
UF Health Proton Therapy Institute is now treating gynecologic cancers
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has expanded its expertise to include care for gynecologic cancers such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and uterine/endometrial cancer.
Dr. Sapienza is now treating gynecological cancers at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
I would highlight two particularly rewarding aspects from my initial year at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.
2025 Accomplishments and Professional Milestones
The staff and faculty at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute are dedicated to providing quality and compassionate health care to our patients. In 2025, we reached the milestone of treating our 12,000th patient with proton therapy here at the Institute.
Latest Research Publications from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
Each research study published is one step forward to better understanding cancer and the effectiveness of cancer treatment options.
Get to know the cancer treatment team
Get to know the staff at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and their role in your cancer treatment plan.
Proton Therapy News Brief Roundup - January 2026
- Celebrating the Holidays in 2025
- Groundbreaking Research Published in The Lancet
- Dr. Okunieff is Honored
- Research Presented at ASTRO 2025
- Alumni Reception Held at The Villages
- 2025 Community Outreach Report