Neha Vapiwala, MD became President of ASTRO on October 1, at the conclusion of this year's conference.

Featured in the Media

MedScape

New research shows that a reduced dose of radiation therapy works just as well to keep the cancer from returning for patients with aggressive lymphomas. John P. Plastaras, MD, PhD, noted that the findings will help physicians evaluate treatment options during tumor board discussions because “now we finally have data to inform those conversations.”

Penn Medicine on Social Media

Did you know that Penn Radiation Oncology and OncoLink are on social media? Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok! Check out some of the recent posts below:

LinkedIn

Instagram - Penn Radiation Oncology

Instagram - Penn Radiation Oncology Residency Programs

Instagram - Penn Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Graduate Program

Instagram - OncoLink

Committee on Community Engagement

We invite you to visit the site regularly, as we continue to update resources, add information on ongoing initiatives, and expand educational materials.

PennCobalt provides mental health resources for Penn staff and faculty.

Scan the QR code above or use this link to RSVP: https://upenn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VbiNtlAKtLfOia

Important Basket Raffle Dates and Deadlines:

• Wednesday, Dec. 3: Basket theme, picture, and a list of contents are due to RadOnc_ACES@pennmedicine.upenn.edu – these will be used in the slideshow sent out to the department when ticket sales begin
• Friday, Dec. 5: Ticket sales begin! Slideshow will be sent out to the department with ticket sale information and the basket photos and descriptions.
• Tuesday, Dec. 16: Ticket sales END at 5pm. Physical baskets are due at PCAM.
• Thursday, Dec. 18: Basket Raffle Drawing will be held at 2pm (virtual link will be sent out later).

Have You Recognized Someone Today?

DON'T FORGET: You can recognize a colleague at any time by submitting the recognition form found at https://redcap.med.upenn.edu/surveys/?s=HPKUea (direct link is below). Bookmark this web page for easy access in the future!

If you would like a copy of the flyer with QR code for your work area, please email RadOnc_ACES@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Kristen Davidson

Kristen joins the department as a Medical Dosimetrist Treatment Planner (photon). Previously, she worked as a US Navy Master at Arms for nine years. Kristen has her Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences and Biology. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and riding her bike on nature trails/ spending time in nature. You can contact Kristen at Kristen.Davidson2@PennMedicine.upenn.edu.

Shane Hall

Shane joins the department as Senior Manager of Finance Operations. Previously, Shane has worked as a senior financial analyst in the Department of Neurology and most recently as finance manager. He has Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University and MBA from the University of Scranton. In his spare time, Shane enjoys golfing, running, and kayaking. You can contact him at halsha@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Derek Ye

Derek joins our department as a Proton Dosimetrist. Previously, Derek worked as a radiologic technologist. He earned his degree from Thomas Jefferson University. In his spare time, Derek enjoys swing dancing, cooking, and running. You can reach him at Derek.Ye@PennMedicine.upenn.edu.

Open Positions

Below are open job positions within the department. The job requisition ID number is in bold for reference.

Staff Open Positions

Please go to Careers.PennMedicine.org to see the full job posting for staff open positions.

• 283118 Associate Director Operations (network)
• 281743 Program Coordinator - PCAM - Philadelphia, PA
• 277218 Dosimetrist Treatment Planner - Philadelphia, PA (Per Diem)
• 276958 Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Benign Treatment at PPMC - Philadelphia, PA
• 270453 PRN Rad Therapist - Philadelphia, PA (HUP) (Per Diem)
• 270451 Radiation Therapist - Philadelphia, PA
• 262401 Physicist - Lancaster, PA
• 257110 Accountant - Philadelphia, PA
• 237634 PRN Rad Therapist – Philadelphia, PA (PAH) (Per Diem)
• 225098 Radiation Therapist NJS Eligible - Plainsboro, NJ (Per Diem)
• 286152 Patient Care Assistant - Lancaster, PA
• 286514 Radiation Therapist - Philadelphia, PA (Part Time)
• 286788 Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Lancaster, PA
• 287316 Radiation Therapist - West Chester, PA
• 282995 Radiation Therapist - Philadelphia, PA
• 291648 Director of Radiation Therapy - Philadelphia, PA

Faculty Open Positions

Please click on the link below to view the full job description for faculty open positions on Workday.

• Penn Medicine Clinician [Cherry Hill]: JR00103891
• Penn Medicine Clinician [Chester County]: JR00094977
• Penn Medicine Clinician [Lancaster]: 266585

Stephen Avery, PhD received $2M in NIH Funding as PI to Advance Global Medical Physics Education and Proton Therapy Innovation. In September 2025, Stephen Avery, PhD, Professor of Radiation Oncology and Director of Global Radiation Physics, was awarded two new NIH grants totaling $2 million as Principal Investigator (PI) to advance innovation, education, and global equity in radiation oncology. The first, a $1.5 million NIH R25 Research Education Grant, supports the AMPERE (Access for Medical Physicists to Education and Research Excellence) program, an international initiative led by Dr. Avery to build global leaders in medical physics through advanced AI- and VR-enabled education, mentorship, and research exchange. AMPERE connects trainees and mentors across 11 countries spanning the U.S., Africa, Asia, and Latin America, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).

Dr. Avery also serves as PI on a $0.5 million NIH R01 subaward as part of a multi-institutional collaboration to develop and validate Spot Scanning Arc (SPArc) Proton Therapy, a next-generation framework designed to improve dose conformity, treatment efficiency, and clinical outcomes in proton therapy. Together, these initiatives highlight Penn’s growing leadership in radiation therapy innovation, global collaboration, and workforce development in cancer care.

Penn Medicine Experience Week Advocacy Award Winners 2025

PAH Patient and Guest Relations team surprised the PAH RadOnc team during their Monthly department meeting to share they had been nominated and selected to win the first ever team Advocacy Award, recognizing the collaborative efforts between the teams at PAH.

PCAM 3 Women's Health Team received an Advocacy Award as part of the 2025 PMX Week. This is the second time in three years that the Women's Health team has been awarded this award - which is through the whole health system!

Retirement

The Beam of Life Team

https://www.breakthrough-challenge.org/

The Breakthrough Challenge bike ride was on Sunday, September 15. The Radiation Oncology Beam of Life team is lead by co-captains Bill Barbour, Chris Laskey, and Christina McCrohan. The Breakthrough Challenge donates 100% of participant-raised funds to support breakthrough cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center. This year $340,000 was raised, bringing the total fundraising to more than $2,850,000 over the past eleven-years.

Check back in this section for the date of next year's Breakthrough Challenge.

Join the team here: https://www.breakthrough-challenge.org/

Follow our team Facebook page or go to the ISOCENTER for more details on upcoming Beam of Life team social rides.

Five Questions With...

Karina Carberry

RN at PCAM

1. What is a typical work day like for you?

I work primarily on the GU disease site team. My day to day can vary depending on our physician's schedules. Throughout the week, I see patients during their initial consults and for their on-treatment visits - during these appointments I assess for side effects and provide patient education. I also assist during the SpaceOAR procedure for our prostate patients. Our nursing team also manages the My Penn Medicine patient messages.

2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?

After working inpatient for 6 years in med/surge/tele/stroke, I was ready for a change. I had an interest in working in oncology, and radiation oncology was such a niche side of nursing I decided to make the leap! I love working in an outpatient clinic and have been in radiation oncology for a little over 2 years.

3. What was your first job?

My very first job was working at Saladworks during high school. My first nursing job was at Virtua on an orthopedic/stroke unit.

4. Do you have any pets? If you don't, what kind of animal would you like as a pet?

I do not have a pet at the moment, but I grew up with dogs and would love to adopt one soon!

5. Do you have any favorite fall activities?

My favorite cozy fall activity is reading a good book with my morning coffee and baking fall treats!

Mary Thomas

RN at Valley Forge

1. What is a typical work day like for you?

It always starts with Starbucks—my coworkers are on a mission to cure me, but I’m holding strong. My day lives somewhere between caffeine and compassion. OTV day is always bustling, and other days, I’m usually running between two floors, making sure patients get the care they need. I check in on patients, manage side effects, triage concerns, and keep an eye on our radiation therapists and Dr. Chen. There’s a lot of listening, problem-solving, and, of course, EPIC updates.

2. What led you to work at Penn Radiation Oncology?

I’ve been a nurse for a long time. Many years ago, a wonderful nurse mentor encouraged me to try radiation nursing because it combines everything meaningful about being an oncology nurse, from clinical skills to patient education and many other aspects of care. I took the opportunity to work in the department. That role opened another door, and I was chosen to help open the Penn Medicine radiation oncology department at Valley Forge. Penn Medicine is a top-tier health system, and working here has been a perfect fit. There is also the bonus of the Friday after Thanksgiving off, holiday parties, and the occasional happy hour!

3. What was your first job?

My first official job was working at a 76 Shortway Truck Stop along I-80, in the store that sold everything from cigarettes & CB radios to toggle switches for truckers. When I worked the night shift, I mostly survived on candy bars and meeting interesting people—it definitely taught me customer service, how to stay awake all night, and how to handle just about anyone who walks through the door. It prepared me for my future in nursing.

4. Do you have any pets? If you don't, what kind of animal would you like as a pet?

I’ve had quite a few pets over the years—including a pony, a horse, a few cats, and most recently, my Golden Retriever Petey, who was truly one of a kind. It’s been a little over a year since I said goodbye to him, but once a Golden mom, always a Golden mom—so I hope to have another furry friend in the future (preferably one who will enjoy slow meandering on his walks).

5. Do you have any favorite fall activities?

Fall holidays are my favorite—Halloween and Thanksgiving—and I’ve already bought way too many pumpkins and sampled my fair share of WaWa Turkey Gobblers. I love hanging at the fire pit with family or taking a brisk walk in Valley Forge Park.

At the end of September, our first-year MPGP students participated in a variety of clinical orientation activities, including a “Roles in the Clinic” panel, an overview of CT, and a hands-on demonstration of PSQA. First-year students will shadow the second-year PSQA Assistants in the clinic this semester.

October Town Hall: PennGlobal iCommunicate Workshop

On October 20, MPGP students met at the PennGlobal offices on Walnut Street for an intercultural communication workshop. This was the first Town Hall of the Fall semester. The Executive Director of PennGlobal, Dr. Rudie Altimirano and Chris Klaniecki, Associate Director of Global Initiatives at PennGlobal led this thought-provoking workshop that included examining personal biases and different communication styles.