Executive Director’s Message – August 2025

We hope your summer days are bright and that each day has a joyful moment and a new memory made.

Letter to the Editor

I was referred to the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Fla., by an old friend of mine after he heard that I had been diagnosed with cancer.

Prostate Cancer

Survivor Spotlight: Richard Felder

Richard Felder recently returned from a surprise birthday and Father's Day dream trip to Hawaii with his daughter Kimberlee, all arranged by her and his other daughter Shontay.

Lucas Gomes Sapienza, MD, Now Treating Gynecological Cancers, Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute

The addition of Dr. Sapienza to the team expands the Institute’s ability to treat more gynecological cancer patients.

Dr. Mendenhall Recognized During UF Spring Assembly

Several UF Health Cancer Center members were honored during the annual University of Florida College of Medicine spring assembly, which celebrates exceptional faculty achievements.

Your Stories: Conquering Cancer - Dr. Mailhot and Auburn Discuss Hodgkin Lymphoma

Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, shares powerful stories of people impacted by cancer in the Your Stories: Conquering Cancer podcast.

Using Medical Physics to Focus on Patients

Radiation therapy using protons is being substantially enhanced by breakthroughs from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute researchers in the field of automated treatment verification.

Sarcoma

Survivor Spotlight: Denise Hawks

Denise was diagnosed with a spinal chordoma in 2017. Chordomas are an extremely rare type of sarcoma (cancer) that occurs in the bone, with fewer than 300 people diagnosed annually in the United States.

Latest Research Publications from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute

Each research study published is one step forward to better understanding cancer and the effectiveness of cancer treatment options. Below are the latest publications by our physicians either as primary investigators or co-authors with oncology experts from around the world.

Blog Feature: Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment

One of the most significant breakthroughs in lung cancer treatment has been the ability to administer an effective radiation dose in as few as five treatments. This short-course, high-dose treatment, often referred to as SBRT, has gained traction for its ability to target cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Proton Therapy News Brief Roundup

Catch up on the news and developments at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.

  • World Lung Cancer Day
  • Breast Cancer Research Day
  • Congratulations to Our Top Doctors
  • New FAQ Page



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Community Calendar

Mark your calendar and join us when we are in a town near you or online.

For patient events at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, go to For Patients & Families for details.

C.A.R.E Expo with UF Health Jacksonville at Riverside Arts Market
Saturday, September 27, 2025 @ 10am - 3pm

Location: Riverside Arts Market, 715 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville (Under the Fuller Warren Bridge)

Join us out at the Riverside Arts Market under the Fuller Warren Bridge in Jacksonville for the UF Health Jacksonville C.A.R.E. Expo. Florida Proton will have a booth, along with other UF Health Jacksonville departments to share health and wellness information, offer interactive demonstrations and share wellness resources available to the community. C.A.R.E. stands for Clinical Assistance Resources and Expertise, and we are excited to share some of the community health resources available to you! Stop by our booth and say hello as you enjoy the food, entertainment and shopping at the local Riverside Arts Market. 

For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Event: Comedy & Cocktails - Laughing to DeFeat Cancer
Thursday, October 02, 2025 @ 5pm - 9pm

Location: Jesse Ball DuPont Center, 40 East Adams Street, 2nd Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Dr. Samuel Jean-Baptiste has been invited by Florida Proton Ambassador, Arthur Bendolph, to speak briefly at a Prostate Cancer Awareness fundraising event called Comedy & Cocktails - Laughing to DeFeat Cancer, supporting the DeFeat Cancer® organization. Come out to raise awareness and learn from Dr. Jean-Baptiste and the other speakers, as well as enjoy a night of entertainment.

For More Info & tickets: https://acccolphinc.com/fundraiser-event-comedy-cocktails-laughing-to-defeat-cancer/

"What Everyone Should Know About Breast Health" Public Forum
Thursday, October 02, 2025 @ 5:30pm - 9pm

Location: Marriott Jacksonville Downtown, 245 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202

Dr. Julie Bradley of UF Health Proton Therapy Institute is joining the 2025 Panel of Experts and Guest Speaker, Mayor Donna Deegan for this breast health education Q&A session. This free, Public Forum is called: "What Everyone Should Know About Breast Health". Seating is limited for this Free event. RSVP by Sept. 26 to Stephanie Crawford 904.244.4387 or Stephanie.Crawford@ufhealth.org

For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.

Jacksonville Jaguars Celebrate Cancer Survivors at the NFL Crucial Catch Game
Sunday, October 12, 2025 @ 10am - 4pm

Location: EverBank Stadium, 1 EverBank Stadium Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32202 

The Jacksonville Jaguars will honor cancer survivors at the October 12th game as a part of the NFL Crucial Catch initiative with the American Cancer Society. The halftime show will have a special ceremony celebrating childhood cancer survivors and their families. The pregame ceremony will include UF Health Proton Therapy Institute staff and cancer survivors as part of the dedicated team holding the U.S. flag during the national anthem. If you are at this game, look out for these special events and cheer on all cancer survivors! Before the game, stop by the Fan Entertainment Zone from 10:00AM – 1:00 PM to find out about cancer screening recommendations with UF Health.

For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk with the American Cancer Society
Saturday, October 18, 2025 @ 8am - 12pm

Location: VyStar Ballpark, 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32202

We walk for all of the breast cancer survivors we have had the honor to care for, as well as for their families and caregivers. Join the Proton’s Pink Warriors team as we walk 5K at the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. This is a fun, free family event. If you are not up for the walk, come by for the entertainment, information and giveaways! Register to join our team or find out more about the event at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/protonpink.

For More Info: Contact Christina Mershell at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.

The Villages Prostate Cancer Conference by Your Prostate Cancer Help
Saturday, November 08, 2025 @ 8am - 5pm

Location: The Brownwood Hotel & Spa, 3003 Brownwood Blvd., Wildwood, FL 32163 

Have questions about the latest in prostate cancer and treatment options? Block your calendar and register for this FREE prostate cancer conference organized by Your Prostate Cancer Help, held annually in The Villages, FL. Representatives from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute will be there to share research and answer questions about proton therapy for prostate cancer. Dr. Lucas Sapienza, radiation oncologist at UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, will join the panel of radiation oncology experts discussing the various radiation treatment options. Register for this free conference at: https://yourprostatecancer.help/2025/06/11/free-conference-saturday-nov-8th-in-florida-register-now/.

 For More Info: Contact Christina Mershell at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.

Cancer Resource Navigation Event – UF Health Jacksonville
Thursday, November 13, 2025 @ 10am - 1pm

Location: UF Health Jacksonville Clinical Center, Main Lobby, 655 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209 

Stop by to find out more about what UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has to offer as we join the UF Health Jacksonville cancer team at the next Cancer Resource Navigation Event. The oncology departments will be available to answer your questions, as well as representatives from programs providing social and emotional support. Additional community organizations including the local American Cancer Society office will be there with information for cancer survivors and caregivers.

For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.

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UF Health doctor and patient consulting

About This Newsletter

The Precision Newsletter is an electronic-only publication that is distributed by email. Each issue is sent periodically to patients, alumni patients and friends of the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute. As the official newsletter of the Institute, the content is compiled and prepared by our communications

representative and approved by the editor Stuart Klein, executive director of UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. Special bulletin newsletters may occasionally be prepared when timely topics and new developments in proton therapy occur. If you would like to send a Letter to the Editor, please click here.