Department of Radiation Oncology
Summer can be a meaningful time for family vacations, special events, and much-needed breaks from everyday routines. If you’re receiving radiation therapy, it’s natural to wonder whether travel is still possible and how to do it safely. For many patients, summer travel is achievable with thoughtful planning, flexibility, and close communication with your radiation oncology care team.
Radiation therapy has been a cornerstone of cancer treatment for decades, but advances in technology now allow care teams to tailor treatment more closely to each individual patient. One of the most advanced approaches is adaptive radiation therapy, a technique that allows radiation treatment to adjust as a patient’s body changes.
UAB recently recognized 22 individuals for their years of service in the Department of Radiation Oncology, ranging from five to 35 years. The UAB and UAB Medicine Service Awards honor employees who have made a significant career commitment to UAB with recognition happening at every five-year milestone.
Over the past 15 years, Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research (ROAR) has become a powerful force in the fight against cancer, bringing together Birmingham-area physicians and volunteers with one shared goal: advancing cancer research and honoring those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
The Department of Radiation Oncology is thrilled to announce the results of our 2026 medical physics residency match!
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology is thrilled to announce the results of our 2026 residency match!
Physicians from the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology are bringing advanced cancer care closer to home for patients in east Alabama through their ongoing partnership with Russell Medical Center (RMC).
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology has launched a new one-day HyperArc Trainee Observation Course designed to introduce Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics residents to the principles and clinical workflow of advanced stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy.
For nearly 20 years, the Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator has been a vital part of patient care in the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology. Now, the department is in the process of retiring the iX and installing a new Varian TrueBeam.
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology recently launched a unique osteoarthritis program that uses low-dose radiation therapy as an additional treatment option for patients with debilitating joint pain. Delivered over six short sessions following an initial consultation, the therapy aims to reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort without the side effects typically associated with cancer radiation treatments.
The department continues to make meaningful progress on quality initiatives focused on improving efficiency, consistency, and patient care. Recent enhancements include updates to treatment planning, patient scheduling, and dosimetry workflows.
Suman Gautam, M.D., PGY2, joined the Department of Radiation Oncology residency program in July 2025. Originally from Nepal, he completed his undergraduate education at Tribhuvan University in Nepal and earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
The Champions of Safety program recognizes employees who go above and beyond to create and sustain a safe environment for patients, physicians, faculty, and staff.
Matthew Trotta, M.D., PGY2, joined the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology in July 2025. He is originally from Pittsburgh. He earned his undergraduate degree in microbiology from Ohio State University and completed medical school at West Virginia University.
On Thursday, Nov. 20., the Heersink School of Medicine honored 20 faculty members at the Fall 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception. This event recognizes Heersink faculty who have made major contributions to research, education, and clinical care.
Twelve providers in the Department of Radiation Oncology were recently recognized by the UAB Office of Patient Experience and Engagement for the exceptional care they delivered to patients during fiscal year 2025. These providers achieved a rating of 95 percent or higher in care satisfaction, based on patient feedback in Medallia.
Corey Speers, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair, Merle M. Salter Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, has been named an Investigator with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). This honor recognizes his leadership and innovative work to improve treatments for aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of breast cancer.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) celebrated ten distinguished faculty members from the seventh cohort of the LEading, Advancing, Developing (LEAD) at a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23. Facilitated by Kellie Carter, Ph.D., senior leadership development specialist, this cohort demonstrated a culture of growing leadership skills and advancing academic impact in the UAB community.
Two ambulatory clinics in the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology have achieved outstanding results in patient experience. The Office of Patient Experience and Engagement recently reported performance levels from July through September across all UAB ambulatory settings, showing that both Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center and the Action Road Radiation Oncology Clinic achieved Level 5 ratings.
In recent years, radiation oncology has seen remarkable progress in making cancer treatment more precise, efficient, and patient-centered. One of the most meaningful advances for breast cancer patients is the move toward shorter-course radiation therapy, reducing the number of treatments without compromising outcomes.
Brien Washington, Ph.D., joined the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology as an assistant professor in August 2025.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 67th Annual Meeting will be held from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2025, in San Francisco, California, at the Moscone Center.
The Department of Radiation Oncology is proud to announce the promotion of Michael Soike, M.D., to associate professor of Radiation Oncology.
Krishmita Siwakoti, M.D., PGY2, joined the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology in July 2025. A native of Kathmandu, Nepal, she completed both her undergraduate education and medical school there. Get to know Dr. Siwakoti better with three quick questions!
Lewis Zhichang Shi, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, has been named the latest recipient of the school’s Featured Discovery award. This recognition celebrates notable research contributions made by faculty and highlights the impact of their scientific advancements.
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology hosted its 2025 Residency Graduation Dinner on June 6 at the Sage event venue. Then, on June 7, the department held the inaugural Robert Y. Kim Alumni Society Retreat, welcoming all alumni.
The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Corey Speers, M.D., Ph.D., as the second holder of the prestigious Merle M. Salter, M.D. Endowed Chair of Radiation Oncology. This appointment was formally approved by the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama System in June 2025.
Corey Speers, M.D., Ph.D., joined the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology as professor and chair in May 2025. Speers reflects on his first month in his new role and what he looks forward to as he helps shape the future of UAB Radiation Oncology.
The UAB Pancreatobiliary Disease Center (PDC) hosted the second annual Hops & Hope Fair on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Cahaba Brewing Company.
After nearly three decades as chair of the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology, James A. Bonner, M.D., is transitioning to an Emeritus status and will continue to work on research efforts within the department, leaving a legacy of growth, innovation, and excellence.
Carlos E. Cardenas, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, has been named the 2025 recipient of the McMaster University Emerging Science Co-op Employer of the Year Award. This award recognizes employers and supervisors who act as mentors for co-op students and provide a rich and fulfilling learning experience.
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind training course dedicated to ethos adaptive radiotherapy (ART), a cutting-edge approach in cancer treatment. This hands-on, case-based program is designed to equip radiation oncology teams with the skills needed to implement and deliver ART using real-world clinical workflows and technologies.
The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine recognized 15 faculty members for their outstanding contributions to research, education, and clinical care at the Spring 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception.
Each year, the UAB Service Awards recognize employees who have reached significant service milestones of five years or more. Employees with 20-plus years of service were additionally recognized at a Service Awards reception on April 8. The Department of Radiation Oncology had two awardees who were honored for serving 35 and 20 years.
After a national search, Corey Speers, M.D., Ph.D., has been named chair of the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology, effective May 12, 2025.
The AI in Medicine and Nursing Symposium, hosted by the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, UAB Medicine, UAB School of Health Professions, UAB School of Nursing, and Maastricht University Faculty of Science and Engineering, concluded successfully, bringing together leading experts, researchers, and industry representatives to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care.
Twenty-two UAB employees recently graduated from the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) fall 2024 leadership development program. The program, presented by UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO), recognized its second cohort of graduates at a ceremony on Nov. 7.
Udbhav Ram, an international scholar from McMaster University, recently joined Carlos E. Cardenas, Ph.D., in his lab to study and research and serve as an undergraduate ambassador.
Seven chief residents at UAB recently graduated from the Chief Residents Leadership Series Spring 2024 program. The program, presented by UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office, recognized its graduates at a ceremony on May 30, 2024.
The Marnix E. Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation held a symposium titled "Generative AI for Healthcare: Progress or Peril" with multiple speakers, all innovators in the field of health care, on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
In the last several years, UAB Medicine and Heersink School of Medicine have worked to bring leadership development to faculty and staff through the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership and Momentum in Medicine programs.
Anupam Agarwal, M.D., dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, welcomed faculty members and their families to the Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception on April 25.
UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership has named their next cohort for Spring 2023: cohort six.
The Heersink School of Medicine communications staff sat down with Dr. Lewis Zhichang Shi to gain insights about the research of this study, UAB, and the science community.