Redeemer Health in Partnership with MD Anderson at Cooper Expands Treatment Capabilities with New Installation

Redeemer Health in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is now using a non-surgical image-guided radiation technology that offers expanded treatment capabilities. Installation of a new linear accelerator (LINAC) was made possible with the help of a $2 million grant from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). The technology gives radiation oncologists the ability to deliver stereotactic radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery through targeted external beam radiation, which can preserve surrounding healthy tissue.

“This grant funding, and its resulting technology installation, has given the Redeemer Health community faster, safer treatment options,” said Sheena Jain, MD, director of radiation oncology at Redeemer Health in partnership with MD Anderson at Cooper. “We now offer our patients stereotactic radiosurgery for malignant and benign abnormalities in the brain.”

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical technique that uses multiple, precisely focused, small beams of radiation that target an abnormality, while limiting the dose to normal tissue, explained Dr. Jain. This new technology will be complimented with new software to expand Redeemer Health’s safety and quality assurance program.

“About 50% of cancer patients need radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan,” said Dr. Jain.  “A primary objective in radiation therapy is to deliver the proper dose of radiation with pinpoint precision to the tumor, without harming surrounding healthy tissue. The linear accelerator helps us achieve those objectives.” 

“We are most thankful to Governor Tom Wolf and Senator Art Haywood, who provided much of the energy behind our RACP grant application,” said Michael B. Laign, President and CEO of Redeemer Health. “We also are grateful to Senator Maria Collett, and Representative Ben Sanchez for their strong support in securing this funding. We want to thank all of our elected leaders in the Pennsylvania communities we serve for making a difference in the care we can provide to cancer patients.”

“I am glad that Redeemer Health in partnership with MD Anderson at Cooper, Senator Collett, and I can support this life-saving advancement in local health care,” said Senator Haywood.

“I’m thrilled to have been able to help secure this critical funding for Redeemer Health for the expansion of their cancer center,” said Senator Collett. “As a nurse and the wife of a chronic cancer patient, I know just how important it is to have convenient access to quality care, and, with this expansion, Redeemer Health in partnership with MD Anderson at Cooper will be able to extend their services to even more local patients and their families.”

“I was pleased to be part of the successful effort to secure a $2 million RCAP award for Redeemer Health. This will ensure our community has more options for cancer care close to home,” said Rep. Sanchez.

The funds supported the construction of the linear accelerator vault used to house the LINAC at Holy Redeemer Hospital as well as renovation of more than 3,000 square feet of cancer center space to accommodate the new device.

“With this funding, we also have the opportunity to create waiting rooms and changing rooms designed to support our mission to provide care, comfort, and healing in a welcoming and hospitable space,” said Dr. Jain. “We are very excited to offer these advancements and contribute to continued growth at Redeemer Health.”

 “This technology will not only increase the technical services that we can offer our patients,” said William Scarlett, DO, executive director of Redeemer Health in partnership with MD Anderson at Cooper. “With the new body contour imaging cameras that use radio frequency identification, and the biometric contactless palm scanner, we will improve safety and accuracy for those in treatment. This is an exciting time at Redeemer Health and we are proud to be supporting our community with advanced technology.” 

MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston was part of the international consortium instrumental in developing this new technology, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019. For more information about Redeemer Health’s comprehensive cancer care services, visit https://www.redeemerhealth.org/services/health-care/cancer-care.