Milestone reflects fastest growth trajectory of any proton center in the United States
New York, NY, February 23, 2022 — The New York Proton Center (NYPC), the New York City-based proton therapy facility launched in partnership by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Montefiore Health System and Mount Sinai Health System, today announced the treatment of its 2,000th patient. The milestone, reached fewer than two and half years after NYPC opened its doors, reflects the center’s continued rapid expansion despite the challenges of a pandemic that has caused significant disruption to cancer care.
“We’re proud of the life-changing care we have fostered for our patients and which we have committed to providing from day one,” said Jonathan Weinbach, NYPC CEO. “Our ability to reach this milestone is a testament to our world-class institutional partners and our incredible staff of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, physicists, administrators and more who go above and beyond for our patients every day. It’s a number that reminds us of the many lives for which proton therapy has made a crucial difference, and why we need broader awareness and access.”
NYPC announced the treatment of its 1,000th patient less than one year ago and remains the fastest growing of the 40 proton centers in the United States. Its growth is significant not only for the lives it has improved among many of the New York region’s most complex patients, but because nearly all NYPC’s patients are enrolled in clinical trials the center is leading to generate research that influences the industry to advance science and broaden access to proton therapy.
Dr. Mehmet A. Ergin from Tenafly, NJ, is the center’s 2,000th proton therapy patient.
“I was pleasantly surprised that NYPC was a joint enterprise between three of the best Academic Medical Institutions in the Metropolitan area, Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, all with well recognized track records of pioneering work in cancer treatment,” said Dr. Mehmet A. Ergin. “This unusual partnership behind the NYPC makes it quite unique amongst the growing field of 39 proton centers in the country. I think every patient, treated here, will benefit from the vast clinical experience, knowledge, and collective wisdom of these premier institutions. I am a strong believer that all technology, no matter how sophisticated, is only as good as the men and women who use it. Therefore, the choice of NYPC was an easy decision for me. The facility is state of the art and everyone I met there was courteous and efficient, competent and compassionate.”
NYPC’s patient population is predominantly based in the tri-state region. However, last year patients traveled from across the US and seven countries to receive care at the center. The case mix of patients treated is wide-ranging and reflects proton therapy’s efficacy in treating complex cases and cancers near sensitive organs. In 2021, 42% of cases were head and neck cancers, 11% were pediatric patients, 10% were breast cancer patients, and 8% were thoracic and lung cancer cases. Additionally, proton therapy is often the safest and most effective way to re-treat tumors that previously received radiation, and 41% of NYPC’s patients received reirradiation last year, the highest proportion in the industry.
“The wide range of cases we treat at NYPC is more diverse and complex than any other center in the country. Proton therapy can help so many patients with cancer like Dr. Ergin, and we will continue to investigate ways to expand this highly advanced technology to help more patients who can benefit from proton therapy’s precision and ability to limit side effects and improve outcomes compared with traditional radiation therapy. It is a privilege to care for Dr. Ergin and the 2,000 patients we have treated to date, and I am incredibly proud of the entire team at NYPC for providing exceptional patient care and delivering exceptional patient outcomes day in and day out,” said Dr. Charles Simone, FACRO, Chief Medical Officer of the New York Proton Center.
“The New York Proton Center has achieved a remarkable milestone in delivering care to 2,000 patients in such a brief span of time. The NYPC provides innovative and cutting-edge cancer care to patients looking for the best treatment options available.” said Dr. Simon Powell, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
“This tremendous achievement is only possible through the unique partnership of three academic health systems and the New York Proton Center who together are delivering this highly effective form of life-saving radiotherapy to our community,” said Dr. Shalom Kalnicki, FACRO, Professor and Chair, Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Critically, the center’s focus on clinical research is also establishing the evidence that will enable expanded access to proton therapy for individuals who would most benefit from this treatment.”
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the New York Proton Center has led the industry in its growth but also in improving the quality of treatment provided to patients with complex cancers,” said Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig, Chair of Radiation Oncology at Mount Sinai Health System. “Mount Sinai is proud to partner with the Center, providing our patients additional treatment options and deepening our commitment to clinical research to enhance the lives of our patients.”
About the New York Proton Center
The New York Proton Center is creating the gold standard for proton therapy, giving new hope to patients living with cancer. In partnership with leading academic medical centers—Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Montefiore Health System, Mount Sinai Health System—the New York Proton Center brings together expert oncologists, clinical care teams, and researchers to improve cancer care and advance the clinical evidence for proton therapy.
For additional information, please visit www.nyproton.com.
