Executive Director’s Message – April 2026
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.
Letter to the Editor
I did 7 weeks of proton therapy. 34 rounds of radiation. It was hard, but the doctors and staff were excellent. This is the best institute I have ever seen or experienced.
John Ogle’s Active Lifestyle Anchored Him During Cancer Journey
His active lifestyle and running routine helped him through a rough time last year when he was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer on his lip.
Three Questions with Dr. Bill Mendenhall
With over 40 years of radiation oncology experience, what advice would you give a person who is newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer and needs radiation?
My Journey with the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
In the spring of 2022, I started noticing something unusual. Breathing through my nose became difficult, and at first, I chalked it up to the usual seasonal allergies. But this time, it felt different.
Community Event for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors April 23, 2026
A new educational gathering—supported by the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation—focuses on the “what now?” questions after treatment and connects attendees with practical tools and local resources.
National Proton Conference Includes the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in Leading Roles and Recognition
This year’s National Proton Conference (NPC 2026) was held in Nashville, Tenn., and gathered experts in proton therapy from around the country.
Future Patient Access to Proton Therapy is the Focus of NAPT Physician Advisory Committee
I recently had the privilege of representing our institution at the National Association for Proton Therapy's (NAPT) annual conference as a member of the Physician Advisory Committee (PAC).
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.
Blog Spot: Current Evidence on Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, proton therapy improves survival rates, reduces side effects like dry mouth, mouth soreness and changes in appetite, and has the potential to reduce radiation dose and deintensify treatment because it is so targeted.
Proton Therapy News Brief Roundup – April 2026
- CME Webinar Presented by UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and Global Partners
- Faculty Promotions
- UF Health Cancer Institute Again Recognized as a Florida Cancer Center of Excellence
- Local Students Welcomed for Behind-the-Scenes Tour
- UF College of Medicine Renames Department of Radiation Oncology
- 56th Annual UF Radiation Oncology Research Seminar
A Personal Challenge Met with Inner Strength and Teamwork
Drew Rogers is always up for a little friendly competition. An accomplished hockey player and Dragon Boat paddler and coach, he enjoys the challenge and teamwork.
Reducing Side Effects and Increasing Survival for People with Head and Neck Cancer
The proton therapy community made groundbreaking progress in December 2025 when The Lancet published a first-of-its-kind study that shows a rare combination of benefits with both reduced side effects and improved survival for head and neck cancer patients.
Executive Director’s Message – February 2026
In 2026, we proudly mark the 20th anniversary of the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute—a milestone that reflects two decades of innovation, compassion and progress in cancer care.
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.
Alumni Spotlight: 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.
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute is Expanding Treatment Options for Gynecologic Cancers
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has expanded its treatment options for gynecologic cancers such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar and uterine/endometrial cancer.
Three Questions with Dr. Sapienza
Dr. Sapienza is now treating gynecological cancers at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.