First Patient Treated with Proton Therapy at Lynn Cancer Institute
3 min. read
Baptist Health Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute
The Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health, reached an important milestone in the advancement of cancer care with the successful treatment of its first patient utilizing proton therapy, according to physicians at both the Institute and the hospital.
The achievement marks a significant moment not only for Lynn Cancer Institute, but for Baptist Health Cancer Care and the South Palm Beach County community. With proton therapy now available locally, patients who may benefit from this highly precise form of radiation therapy have access to advanced treatment close to home, supported by a multidisciplinary team of cancer experts.
A Strong Candidate for the Treatment
The first patient treated with proton therapy at Lynn Cancer Institute was referred by Anurag Agarwal, M.D., radiation oncologist at the Institute, and neurosurgeon Matthew Moore, M.D., director of integrated neurosurgery at Baptist Health Marcus Neuroscience Institute.
It was Dr. Moore who recognized the potential benefit of proton therapy for the patient’s case. He told the radiation oncology team that he felt the patient would be an ideal candidate for the treatment.
Their collaboration on this patient’s case reflects one of the defining strengths of Baptist Health Cancer Care: specialists working together across disciplines to identify the most appropriate and personalized treatment options for each patient.
Highly Targeted Radiation Treatment
“Proton therapy represents a major step forward in our ability to deliver highly targeted radiation treatment,” said Robert Press, M.D., clinical director of proton therapy at Lynn Cancer Institute. “To treat our first patient with this technology is an exciting and meaningful milestone for our team, our Institute and the patients we serve.”
Unlike traditional radiation therapy, proton therapy uses a beam of protons to precisely target tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
“This can be especially important when treating tumors located near sensitive organs or critical structures,” says Dr. Press. “That includes certain brain, spine, head and neck, thoracic and pediatric cancers.”
Not Just the Advanced Technology
For the first patient treated at Lynn Cancer Institute, the decision to pursue proton therapy was the result of thoughtful clinical evaluation and close coordination between the patient’s physicians and the radiation oncology team.
Dr. Moore’s initial recommendation helped elevate the case for review, and the team determined that proton therapy offered a promising approach based on the patient’s diagnosis, anatomy and treatment goals.
“This milestone is about more than technology,” said Michael Kasper, M.D., medical director of Lynn Cancer Institute’s radiation oncology program. “It’s about bringing together expertise, innovation and compassionate care to give patients access to the most advanced treatment options available.”
Boca Raton Philanthropists Make it Possible
The launch of proton therapy at Lynn Cancer Institute follows years of planning and generous philanthropic support from the community, executives at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation say.
Earlier this year, the Foundation recognized lead donors and community members whose gifts helped make the Proton Therapy Center possible. They included Barbara C. Gutin, Irving & Barbara C. Gutin Charitable Foundation, Judy and Artie Canter, Renee and Barry Honig, Leticia “Tish” Messinger, Arlette and Robert Britton, Art and Debbie Newman and the Estate of Richard Blackman.
A Proud Moment for Lynn Cancer Institute
For Lynn Cancer Institute, the first proton therapy patient represents the beginning of a new chapter in cancer treatment in South Florida. It also strengthens Baptist Health Cancer Care’s commitment to advancing care through innovation, collaboration and access—ensuring patients can receive the most advanced therapies without having to travel far from their families, support systems and care teams.
This is a proud moment for Lynn Cancer Institute and for Baptist Health Cancer Care, according to Louise Morrell, M.D., chief medical executive at the Institute.
“At the center of every clinical milestone are the patients and families who have entrusted their care to us,” Dr. Morrell said. “The ability to offer proton therapy here in Boca Raton expands what is possible for our patients and reflects our ongoing mission to provide exceptional cancer care close to home.”
As the Institute continues to grow its proton therapy program, Dr. Morrell said they remain focused on providing patients facing cancer with the most personalized care, improved quality of life, better outcomes and, most importantly, hope.
Click here to learn more about proton therapy at Lynn Cancer Institute.
Featured Providers
Anurag Agarwal, MD
Michael E Kasper, MD
Michael Kasper, M.D., FACRO, is a board-certified radiation oncologist at the Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health. He is also the medical director of the institute’s radiation oncology. Dr. Kasper served on Florida’s Cancer Control and Advisory Board from 2004 to 2010 after receiving appointments from both Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist. He served as chair from 2005 to 2008.He is an affiliate assistant professor at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and served on the national board of directors for the American Cancer Society from 2010-2014. He is a reviewer for multiple journals, published numerous articles and given international seminars and lectures on prostate and skin cancer. Dr. Kasper earned a healthcare hero award for advocacy work that led to smoke-free workplaces in Florida. He has participated in numerous clinical trials that help bring Lynn Cancer Institute to the forefront in radiation oncology breakthroughs. Dr. Kasper’s approach to patient care is to partner in his patients’ journey back to health by learning about individuals and understanding their needs and expectations. He works to educate patients about their disease, treatment options, side effects and alternatives, believing that empathy is a critical feature of the therapeutic process. When he is not seeing patients, Dr. Kasper enjoys spending time with family, exercising and playing the guitar.
Matthew R Moore, MD
Matthew Moore, M.D., is a board-certified neurosurgeon and director of integrated neurosurgery at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, a part of Baptist Health.
Dr. Moore specializes in complex neurological issues, including benign and malignant brain and spine tumors. He is also an expert in debilitating neck and lower back pain.
Prior to joining Marcus Neuroscience Institute in 2022, Dr. Moore was a partner at Neurological Surgery Associates for more than 30 years and the director of neurosurgery at Holy Cross Hospital and Broward Health North. He also worked as a Miami Dolphins team doctor for 10 years. Dr. Moore is an active member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Society of Brigham Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Broward County Medical Association and Florida Medical Association.
Dr. Moore’s approach to patient care is to treat patients as family members. He believes that surgery is usually not the first or only option.
When he is not treating patients, Dr. Moore enjoys biking, hiking, sailing, skiing and bird watching.
Louise Ellen Morrell, MD
Louise Morrell, M.D., is a medical oncologist and the Chief Medical Executive of the Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Dr. Morrell began her career specializing in breast cancer treatment and has spent the last 25 years focusing on cancer genetics and hereditary cancer syndromes.
She conducts genetic research, cancer genetic risk assessments and genetic testing. Through her work at the Morgan Pressel Center for Cancer Genetics, Dr. Morrell and her team test hundreds of cancer genes and provide guidance for what a negative test or positive test may mean for a patient and their immediate and extended family. Genetic testing can lead to prevention and individualized screening as well as identify more personalized treatment options. Genetic information can also be lifesaving for family members, even for future generations.
Dr. Morrell joined Lynn Cancer Institute in1995 as clinical director of breast cancer services at the Center for Breast Care. In this role, she helped establish and champion the multimodality care model for breast and other cancers. This model allows patients to meet with multiple specialists in their specific cancer type in a single visit. Ultimately, this team approach leads to more coordinated care and better outcomes for the patient.
As chairperson of clinical research at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Dr. Morrell spearheads research initiatives at the hospital and in collaboration with the Charles E. Schmitt School of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University. She also presents at numerous community-based education events and physician continuing medical education conferences.
When she is not seeing patients and conducting research, Dr. Morrell enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and enjoying outdoor activities.
Robert H Press, MD
Robert H. Press, M.D., is a board-certified radiation oncologist and clinical director of proton therapy at the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. He specializes in treating central nervous system tumors, head and neck cancers and thoracic malignancies.
Dr. Press comes to Lynn Cancer Institute from Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, where he was an attending physician and head of the thoracic service line in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Prior to joining Baptist Health in 2023, he was a radiation oncologist at New York Proton Center, serving as the disease site lead for both central nervous system tumors and head and neck cancers. During this time, he also served as an assistant clinical professor at Mt. Sinai Hospital and a visiting investigator for the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
After earning his medical degree at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Press remained at the university to complete his internal medicine internship. He completed his radiation oncology residency at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, serving as chief resident during his final year. He was also named the Andrew W. Pippas Resident in Radiation Oncology, an honor selected by the faculty for a resident who exemplifies professional and compassionate patient care.
Dr. Press has extensive clinical experience using proton therapy and other advanced radiation techniques to precisely treat challenging tumors, including re-treatment of patients who previously received radiation therapy. He has developed numerous clinical trials and published more than 90 scientific publications. He also contributes to the scientific community as a member of several professional organizations and medical journal reviewer.
Dr. Press considers it a privilege to help people through the most challenging times of their lives. He is grateful to be able to meet people in these moments and care for them with compassion, humility and grace.
Dr. Press is fluent in English and conversational in Spanish. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and staying active, including hiking, running, sailing and spending time with family and friends.
Comprehensive Cancer Care at Lynn Cancer Institute
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