Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group, North America

October 23 – 26, 2016
Marlo Thomas Center for Global Education and Collaboration
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Driving directions

Invitation Letter

On the behalf of the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group North-America (PTCOG-NA) and the 2016 annual conference organizing committee, we invite you to attend the 3rd Annual PTCOG-NA Conference taking place October 23–26, 2016, at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The theme for the conference is “Advancing Particle Therapy: Challenge and Innovation in Adult and Pediatric Oncology.” We anticipate over 300 registrants who share interest in all aspects of particle beam therapy. There will be numerous opportunities to gain new knowledge, share technical and clinical experiences, network with colleagues, and communicate with industry partners.

The conference will focus on advances in IMPT, robustness in treatment planning, quantifying and managing the uncertainty in range and tumor motion, incorporating 3-D imaging with daily delivery, and biological effects. The clinical applications will center on the traditionally recognized clinical indications but more importantly on pediatric cancers, and cancers of the breast, lung, head and neck, and gastrointestinal tract. Hypofractionation and combined modality approaches will also be an important focus. We anticipate updates on clinical trials, and lively discussions around future protocols, grant opportunities, and multi-institutional collaborative efforts, as well as recognizing the value of large multi-center registry data.

PTCOG-NA 2016 will be highly relevant to physicians, physicists and radiobiologists as well as nurses, technicians, healthcare executives, and developers of future particle beam facilities. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the newly opened St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center, where active scanning technology and volumetric image guidance has been utilized exclusively for pediatric patients since late 2015.

In addition to attending the conference, we invite you to experience Memphis, Tennessee, “Bluff City” on the banks of the Mississippi River offering an expansive variety of things to see and do. The city offers attractions for guests of all ages and from around the world. Memphis is known for its music and food. Blues, jazz and rock 'n' roll spill out from the clubs along Beale Street, and restaurants dish up barbecue and soul food. Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studio, and Presley’s Graceland mansion is a popular attraction.

This Annual PTCOG-NA Conference will enhance your knowledge of adult and pediatric oncology, widen your network, and expand your outlook while providing a relaxing and memorable time in our beautiful city. We are very excited about this event and look forward to welcoming you to Memphis in October.

Sincerely,

Eugen B. Hug, MD, President
Hesham E. Gayar, MD, Vice President
Anita Mahajan, MD, Secretary
Carl Rossi, Jr., MD, Treasurer
Jonathan B. Farr, PhD, DSc, Local Conference Host