Columbus, Ga. (August 12, 2024) – The John B. Amos Cancer Center has completed an $11 million equipment replacement project that dates back to late 2021.

The Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation funded the purchase of five pieces of equipment to provide higher-quality and safer care for cancer patients.

“This project would not have been possible without philanthropy,” Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation Executive Director Aline Lasseter says. “We are so grateful for the outpouring of generous community support of cancer care over the years.

The new equipment includes three Varian Truebeam linear accelerators, AI-assisted Siemens CT scanner and Brainlab ExacTrac Dynamic six-degree robotic system.

“We are building upon our legacy of providing world-class cancer care right here in the Chattahoochee Valley,” said Executive Director of Oncology Services Sheree Tolbert.

The state-of-the-art linear accelerators allow staff to provide the most advanced and precise radiation treatment.

“These linear accelerators allow us to treat brain tumors and tumors anywhere in the body,” lead physicist Wyndioto Chisela says.

The linear accelerators don’t use radioactive material and also provide real-time imaging and motion control. Real-time imaging tools allow clinicians to “see” the tumor they are about to treat. This gives them confidence in targeting tumors with sub-millimeter accuracy.

“At any time during treatment, staff can take an image of the patient. The system also tracks patient motion and compensates for patient position. The Truebeam machines offer the highest dose rate in the industry and speeds up overall treatment time,” Chisela explains.

For newly diagnosed cancer patients, the John B. Amos Cancer Center offers next-day appointments so oncology staff can quickly get patients started on a treatment plan. Visit Piedmont.org for more information about the John B. Amos Cancer Center.