I attended the grand opening of the Oklahoma City Proton Center on July 8th! Dr. John Cameron had a vision of treating patients needing proton in centers outside of academia settings, and his dream came true this day. Procure's first center is most impressive. There are 2 more in some stage of development with Procure including Chicago and Boca Raton.
I noted subtle upgrades throughout the tour starting with a concierge that is postioned in the center to help patients and their families make all their arrangements from lodging to fun. I have visited 3 other centers so I have some frame of reference. It's great seeing everything brand spanking new. Incorporated throughout the center are the latest in positioning robotics, and a slew of very keen upgrades such as an enclosed floor in the rotating gantry room. They also plan to install a pediatric couch in the gantry so children can be positioned more comfortably for their treatment. I also spoke to a physicists that is developing a new application for anesthesia for children that will speed the treatment process up considerably making them the same if not faster than an adult patient to be treated.
What I believe will make OKC work is the new Integris comprehensive center being built a stone through away from the proton center. Patients will be able to walk to the cancer center for routine blood counts, tests, and any other treatment (ex. chemotherapy) that goes along with proton treatment. This in itself may make it more "convenient" that some other center's setups which usually include a ride to get to the nearest cancer center. The fact it will be designated a "comprehensive" cancer care center by the NIH, will make it one of the 25 or so designated centers in the country.
Cheers to Procure, IBA and Integris for what appeared to me to be a job well done!
