New Winship Department of Radiation Oncology Executive Vice Chairman, Jeff Bradley, MD, FASTRO talks about why he chose to come to Winship and what he brings to his new role.
September 23, 2019
New Winship Department of Radiation Oncology Executive Vice Chairman, Jeff Bradley, MD, FASTRO talks with us about why he chose to come to Winship and what he brings to his new role.
You spent 21 years at Washington University in St. Louis. What drew you to Winship?
I have spent much of my career invested in new radiation therapy treatment options. Winship's Department of Radiation Oncology is one of the top accruing departments for clinical trials in the country and recently opened a proton therapy center that is seeing growth at an amazing rate.
I have always been inspired by new technologies that can help oncologists better help their patients. The opportunity to continue my work in proton therapy and the strong support for research makes Winship a natural choice.
Also, Winship's lung team recently received a SPORE grant, the first and only grant of its kind to be awarded in the state of Georgia, which is a prestigious honor for Emory University. As a lung cancer specialist, I am excited to join a team that is doing such great work.
What unique perspective do you bring to Winship and your new role as executive vice chair?
As a newer faculty member, I offer the benefits of an outside perspective. A new voice can approach old problems in innovative ways. Winship is of similar size and scope to the radiation oncology department at Washington University and, like the Siteman Cancer Center, Winship is leading the way in research for emerging treatment options like proton therapy. As executive vice chair, I look forward to working with Winship's premier faculty to continue my work pioneering research in new radiation therapy technologies and treatment options.
What made you decide to pursue research in proton therapy?
When Washington University's Barnes-Jewish Hospital asked me to be the medical director of their new proton beam facility, I recognized it as an opportunity for growth. At the time proton therapy was understudied and we had an amazing opportunity to open new clinical trials and offer this new treatment option to people who really needed it. Siteman is currently working on adding a new treatment room, and I consider it a good barometer of success that the first room did so well that there is now a need for more.
What are some of your initial projects?
I will be working primarily on the Clifton campus and hope one of the first things that I can do is set up meetings to connect with faculty. I am very excited to be working at Winship and meet with all the tremendous researchers who have helped Winship become a leader in the field of radiation oncology. I will also continue my work on the board of the National Association for Proton Therapy.