Save the Date: October 2026, a 20<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Celebration
We are thrilled to welcome friends of the Institute back to Northeast Florida as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary in October 2026! More details about the celebration event will be shared soon. If you are interested in hosting an alumni gathering in your area, please reach out to Kasey Heilman at Kheilman@floridaproton.org.
Michael M. Is a Big Believer That Setbacks Can Be Setups
For Michael M., ringing the chime on the 15th anniversary of completing proton therapy for prostate cancer brought a “sense of relief, a sense of joy, and a great deal of gratitude.”
Chris H. Tells People, “Jacksonville Treats You Like a Guest, Not a Patient”
“The people, the capabilities, the technology is just absolutely outstanding. The doctors, they’re excellent,” Chris H. says. And when he recalls ringing Aud’s Chime he shares, “It’s a profound moment ringing that bell and knowing that you’re finished with your treatments. It’s relief. You know you’re at a specific point in your journey when it’s either over or the cure isn’t there. Thank God in my instance I’m still 100% cancer-free.”
Why patient support programs are a priority in cancer treatment
When choosing a cancer treatment center, most people focus on technology, survival rates, physician expertise and location.
Michael K. Sees Life Cancer-Free After Proton Therapy for an Eye Melanoma
“At the end of treatment, one of the technicians walked me directly out, and then I rang that bell, those chimes. And I’ll tell you, that is something I will never, ever, ever forget. Because I walked free that day of cancer. I don’t know what will happen 10 years down the road from now, but again that whole team was there to support me.”
Sue and Audrey Recall Creating Aud’s Chime
“I would really notice what happened when people would hop on the piano and play. That made me really think about... this needs something that people can create a noise themselves.”
Mark J. Zakhary, PhD
Dr. Mark J. Zakhary is Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, with the University of Florida College of Medicine and a physicist at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. As a board certified therapeutic medical physicist, his clinical and research interests lie in the areas of proton therapy treatment planning, clinical implementation of technology, efficient workflow development and standardization of practice. He also has a passion for education and was the 2022-2023 Dr.
Proton Therapy Improves Survival and Reduces Side Effects in Patients Treated for Head and Neck Cancer
Multi-institutional study published in The Lancet reports results from the largest randomized Phase III trial to date comparing protons and IMRT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 8, 2026) – A new clinical research article published last month in The Lancet says patients with head and neck cancer treated with proton therapy may have better survival and quality of life outcomes compared to people treated with IMRT.