OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute receives donation for proton therapy beam
Glen and Polly Barton well-known for philanthropy; new medical director for proton therapy introduced
* Proton therapy beam at the OSF Cancer Institute now bears Glen and Polly Barton's names
* Dr. Huan Giap introduced as medical director of Proton Therapy
OSF HealthCare is excited to share the news that Polly Barton has generously made a $2 million gift to the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, specifically focused on proton beam therapy. The area containing the proton beam will now be known as the Glen and Polly Barton Beam.
Polly Barton is a lifelong resident of Peoria and her late husband Glen spent 43 years at Caterpillar, Inc., retiring as CEO in 2004. He died in 2016 from cancer. The Barton’s commitment to the community and philanthropic endeavors is well-known, and this gift further solidifies that dedication. Polly served on the executive steering committee for the OSF Cancer Institute, which opened earlier this year.
“I had to be involved, Glen would have wanted me to help. The Mission of OSF Saint Francis is the constant, I’ve grown up in Peoria and I would not go anywhere else. The Cancer Institute is for the community, and I am so proud to have played a role in the campaign,” said Barton about her work on the steering committee.
An unveiling of the sign bearing the Barton’s name in the proton therapy area was held July 25.
“I am immensely grateful for Polly Barton's generous gift which significantly enhances our ability to provide cutting-edge proton therapy to our patients,” said Dr. James McGee, radiation oncologist and founding director of the OSF Cancer Institute. “The ‘Barton Beam’ will be a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of philanthropy in advancing cancer treatment and research. Polly Barton's support allows us to push the boundaries of medical innovation and improve the lives of those battling cancer.”
In addition to the Barton Beam announcement, Huan Giap, M.D., PhD., was introduced as the medical director of Proton Therapy for the OSF Cancer Institute. Dr. Giap brings extensive expertise in nuclear engineering, biophysics, and medical science, along with radiation oncology and proton therapy to his new position.
He obtained his PhD. in biophysics from the MD Anderson Cancer Center University of Texas Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Giap completed a medical residency in radiation oncology and proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center, further enhancing his specialization with a Clinical Fellowship in Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), and Brachytherapy from Scripps Clinic. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Dr. Giap holds six copyrights and patents for innovative medical devices.
Proton therapy treatment at the OSF Cancer Institute began April 1. Since then, 47 patients have undergone treatment with the daily schedule routinely seeing 18 patients, a daily patient volume that was not anticipated until closer to the one-year mark of operation. A wide variety of cancers have been treated: head and neck, prostate, esophagus, brain, lymphoma, and bone metastasis. The SDX respiratory gaiting system will be fully installed in early August, which will allow the proton therapy department to begin treating tumors that are subject to movement from breathing, such as breast, lung, and abdominal masses.
OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, OSF HealthCare has 16 hospitals – 10 acute care, five critical access, 1 transitional care - with 2,131 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners across 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. In 2020, OSF OnCall was established, a digital health operating unit, including a hospital-at-home. OSF OnCall delivers care and services when, where and how patients prefer to receive them. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org/.