Thank you for your support and partnership!

Thank you for helping make 2022 a year of growth, innovation and many “firsts” for radiation oncology here at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. These are achievements that would have been unimaginable just five years ago, and I am pleased to share with you just a few of those including:

Investing in collaborative and original research – including clinical trials – led by Avani Rao, MD, Director of Research, whose position has been philanthropically funded since 2021

Creating a new Medical Physics Residency one of the few in the country and one that helps us recruit top talent in radiation oncology and proton therapy.

Elevating our leadership in radiation oncology with team members sitting on boards of the American Society for Radiation Oncology and National Association for Proton Therapy, giving us a voice where we can directly impact national policy, advocacy and decision making

Transformational gifts from philanthropic partners like you are what have made these accomplishments possible – from original research to recruiting top researchers and physicians to assuming leadership roles on a regional and national stage.

As you read through your impact report, you will see how your generosity touches the lives of patients and team members throughout our communities now and in the years to come.

With gratitude,

Ashish K. Chawla, MD Chairman and Medical Director Department of Advanced Radiation Oncology and Proton Therapy Inova Schar Cancer Institute

Our state-of-the-art radiation oncology services are provided to patients at the Inova Schar Cancer flagship facility as well as Alexandria, Fair Oaks, Loudoun and Woodbridge locations. Last year we saw record growth with key highlights including:

21% growth in radiation oncology treatments, averaging 235 treatments a day for a total of nearly 60,000

26% increase in number of patients receiving proton therapy = 300+ new patient starts!

50% increase

521 pediatric and young adult (18-21) proton therapy treatments in total unique proton therapy treatments

2 new physicians from top training programs to handle increasing proton therapy patient volumes

Largest community-based enroller in the U.S. to a phase 3 breast cancer study for proton therapy versus standard photon radiation

“My Inova story began in 2016 when I had my daughter at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Fast forward to December 2021 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I knew Inova Schar was the place for me. My favorite doctor has been Dr. Chawla. There was a lag time in getting my insurance squared away for proton therapy, but he was able to expedite my approval and I completed all active treatment by December 2022. ”

Caroline Finklea-Vizzuto Inova Schar Cancer Institute Patient