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History made: Media document milestone at Southwest Florida Proton

A man in a suit speaks at a press event, facing several reporters with cameras and smartphones recording him in an indoor setting.

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Just days after Southwest Florida Proton delivered the first proton treatment on Florida’s west coast, journalists gathered for a behind-the-scenes tour and one-on-one interviews with center leadership. 

Southwest Florida Proton hosted a group of reporters, photographers and videographers on Jan. 8 as the center began delivering the first proton treatments to patients on Florida’s west coast. Journalists represented television, print, radio and online news outlets. 

Media began their tour with a stop at Advocate Radiation Oncology, which offers traditional radiation therapy at the Estero center. Then, media learned about Lee Health’s diagnostic imaging center, which offers PET, CT and MRI technologies. Finally, the contingent entered the corridor leading to the control room and proton chamber. Journalists even had an opportunity to look behind the concrete walls to see the center’s massive cyclotron and gantry. 

Media also had opportunities to speak with and interview the center’s leadership team, which includes: 

  • Dr. Arie Dosoretz, CEO and Managing Partner 
  • Dr. Shannon MacDonald, Senior Medical Director 
  • Dr. Todd Pezzi, Associate Medical Director 
  • Mark Artz, Ph.D., Senior Director of Proton Medical Physics  

Additionally, Dr. Mark Roh, Chief Physician Executive of the Lee Health Cancer Institute, joined the tour to explain why Lee Health partnered with Southwest Florida Proton and Advocate Radiation Oncology. 

Media Coverage 

Media coverage resulting from the tour and media outreach included the following stories: