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Welcome to the Department of Radiation Oncology

Welcome to the University of Iowa Department of Radiation Oncology!

Portrait of Bryan AllenOur skilled professionals are committed to delivering compassionate patient care, advancing research, and providing education through the integration of radiation medicine, free radical science, physics, and advanced imaging. We cultivate a culture that promotes continuous improvement, staff empowerment, and cutting-edge innovation.

Our faculty and staff deliver exceptional clinical care at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and across five community-based sites in Iowa, Bettendorf, Burlington, Clinton, Iowa City, and Ottumwa. We are proud of our department's exceptional scores in patient satisfaction. Patients have access to a range of advanced radiation treatment options, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), brachytherapy (high-dose-rate, interstitial, and eye plaque), Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with frame-based and frameless delivery capability, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), total body irradiation (TBI), total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT), and Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) for the breast. We have an active pediatric radiotherapy service with the capability to treat patients under anesthesia. Additionally, our department boasts the only magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided linear accelerator in Iowa, enhancing the precision of radiation treatments.

Our faculty are integral members of body site-specific multidisciplinary oncology groups within the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and are nationally recognized experts in their respective disease areas. Our faculty hold leadership positions in prominent organizations such as the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Board of Radiology (ABR), Radiation Research Society (RRS), Society of Free Radical Biology and Medicine (SFRBM), and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).

Research is a cornerstone of our department spanning both basic and clinical realms. Laboratory-based investigations delve into a variety of areas including oxidative stress, immune modulation, radiation protection, radiation targeting, and FLASH radiation delivery. We are actively developing patented new technologies including a dynamic collimation system for proton therapy, novel automatic contouring software for tumors and healthy tissues, and novel software and hardware tools for intensity-modulated brachytherapy. Translational research explores the combination of ionizing radiation with high doses of vitamin C, superoxide dismutase mimetics, and carbon monoxide foams. Clinically, we've pioneered gating techniques for patients treated on the MR LINAC.

We actively seek collaboration opportunities with other investigators at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and throughout the University of Iowa scientific and academic community. Fostering partnerships with other University of Iowa departments and colleges is a priority.

Education is a core focus of the department, and we nurture the next generation of students, residents, and fellows. Our trainees gain exposure to the full spectrum of cancer care, from bench to bedside. With engaged mentors and a wide array of clinical experiences and research possibilities, our program offers a robust learning environment for radiation biology, medical, and physics students alike.

For further information about patient care, training, or research programs, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Bryan G. Allen, MBA, MD, PhD

Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology

 

Research

Department research includes both clinical and biological divisions.

Education

Home to four formal training programs, the department also provides clinical and research experience.

Meet Our People

Learn more about our department's faculty members.