Dr. Kevin McMullen Appointed to the Pediatric Proton Foundation's Board of Directors

The Pediatric Proton Foundation today announced that Dr. Kevin McMullen was appointed to the Board of Directors effective January 2, 2013. This appointment will bring the total number of board members to eight until the Foundation’s next Annual Meeting to be held in conjunction with the National Association for Proton Therapy’s Inaugural Annual Conference, “Impacting Cancer Outcomes through Proton Therapy” in Washington D.C. February 11-14, 2013.

Dr. McMullen is currently medical director of radiation oncology for Indiana University Health Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana and a radiation oncologist at Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington, Ind. Dr. McMullen is an associate professor of radiation oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he also holds the Indiana Lions Endowed Scholar in Cancer Survivorship. He also serves on two late effects task forces within the Children’s Oncology Group.

He completed his residency at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, with further residency and post-residency pediatric radiation oncology training at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. McMullen served his country in the U.S. Army in progressively increasing levels of medical leadership including being a Brigade Flight Surgeon for the Aviation Brigade of the First Cavalry Division headquartered in Fort Hood, Texas.

“The addition of Dr. McMullen will further enhance the outstanding talents and wide-ranging experience that our Board of Directors brings to the Pediatric Proton Foundation,” said Susan Ralston, Executive Director. “Dr. McMullen is widely respected and deeply experienced in pediatric cancer treatment through his past experience at Wake Forest and in his current positions at the IU Health Proton Therapy and with Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

Dr. McMullen is determined to continue to contribute to pediatric proton therapy advancements stating, “Because of my research in survivorship issues and prevention of late effects of cancer therapy, I believe I can offer insight as we further develop the scientific basis for appropriate use of this technology for cancer stricken children – one of IU Health Proton Therapy Center’s main focus and that of the Pediatric Proton Foundation. I am proud to volunteer my time for such a worthy organization.”

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Pediatric Proton Panel Set to Meet Feb. 12th in Washington, D.C.

The National Association for Proton Therapy is set to hold its first annual conference in Washington, D.C. from Feb. 11, 2013 -Feb. 14, 2013.  On February 12th, there will be a panel of Pediatric Radiation Oncology experts including Dr. Indelicato (U Florida PTI), Dr. Chang (Hampton UPTI), Dr. Mahajan (MD Anderson PTC) and Dr. McMullen (Indiana HPTC) discussing pediatric proton therapy.  The panel will discuss pediatric proton treatment protocols, trends and future treatment implications.  

Pediatric Proton Foundation Founder Visits the IU Health Proton Therapy Center - IU Health Proton Therapy

Pediatric Proton Foundation Founder Visits the IU Health Proton Therapy Center - IU Health Proton Therapy

IU Health Proton Therapy Center Brings Protons to More Children

Bloomington, IN –The Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington, Ind., becomes the first proton center in the country to simultaneously treat children under anesthesia in two treatment rooms. Previously, the IU Health Proton Therapy Center could treat one anesthesia case at a time. The increase in the Center's ability to treat additional anesthesia cases makes it possible to deliver this treatment to more children with cancers/tumors of the head, neck, and spine.

The efforts to increase the anesthesia cases would not be possible without the partnership with Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. "It is unique when world-class organizations work together as we do with Riley Hospital," says Dr. Peter Johnstone, president and chief executive officer of the IU Health Proton Therapy Center and chair and William A. Mitchell professor of radiation oncology for the IU School of Medicine. "Together, we provide an extraordinary resource for the most vulnerable patients: children with cancer." When treating young children with the precision of protons, it is critical that they are immobilized for their treatments and anesthesia is necessary to achieve this level of accuracy. Locally, the anesthesia efforts are provided by Bloomington Anesthesiologists, who are specially trained to work with children. Johnstone adds, "Without their expertise in pediatric anesthesia while under treatment, this work would not be possible."

The IU Health Proton Therapy Center provides treatment for patients of all ages; however, children are at the heart of the practice and accounted for 30 percent of the patient population in 2011. Since opening its doors in February 2004, one in every 12 patients has been treated under anesthesia and that number is anticipated to grow in 2012.