UAB Briefs: Proton therapy center opens, UAB takes part in Birmingham Promise
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
A new proton therapy center opened at UAB this week.
UAB has agreed to help the city of Birmingham keep the Birmingham Promise.
And a high-energy group offering Japanese drumming will be at the Alys Stephens Center on Jan. 27.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention? Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
Powerful therapy
Proton International at UAB, a facility that offers proton therapy, opened with a ribbon cutting and reception on Monday, Jan. 13.
The facility is the first in Alabama and one of only 36 in the United States to offer proton therapy, a highly sophisticated radiation technology for treating cancer.
The new center is a partnership between UAB and Proton International.
“With the establishment of this center, UAB Medicine has again brought one of the latest, most advanced medical technologies to our region,” said Will Ferniany, CEO of the UAB Health System.
Proton therapy uses a beam of protons aimed at a tumor. The beam is configured to deliver the majority of its energy precisely at the tumor and reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
UAB physicians anticipate beginning consultations with prospective patients in the next two weeks, with the first proton therapy treatments taking place at the end of February.
The facility, located on 20th Street South between Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue, consists of a three-story building to house clinical exam rooms, offices and the ProBeam proton therapy system
UAB will also be involved in clinical research studies on the use of proton therapy.
Keeping the Promise
UAB is the first academic partner to support the Birmingham Promise scholarship, giving Birmingham City School graduates an opportunity to attend the school with a one-to-one tuition scholarship match.
The scholarship will be available to students who are admitted to UAB as first-time, full-time freshmen in the academic year following high school graduation from a Birmingham City School.
“UAB is one of the largest producers of talent in our state, and it is also Alabama’s largest employer,” Mayor Randall Woodfin said. “The partnership shows that UAB is invested in developing the hopes, dreams and capabilities of our next generation."
High-energy drumming
Internationally acclaimed percussion artists TAO will present its latest production, “Art of the Drum: DRUM TAO 2020,” at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center on Monday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m.
TAO’s high-energy performances showcase the ancient art of Japanese drumming and also feature contemporary costumes, precise choreography and innovative visuals.
Tickets are $28 (students $10). For information — including discounted tickets for UAB faculty, staff and students — call 975-2787 or go to alysstephens.org.