A First for Radiation Oncology
Certification recognizes Sylvester’s top-notch stereotactic radiosurgery program
By Lauren Comander
Illustration by Patrick George
Animation by Michael DiMilo
Radiation Oncology may soon be a top-10 department in the country based on patient volume.
T
he Department of Radiation Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has become the first in North America to obtain the prestigious International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society (ISRS) Certification of Excellence for stereotactic radiosurgery treatments of malignant and benign brain disorders.
This coveted certification from the ISRS is an independent external assessment conducted by a device-agnostic organization. It ensures quality practices and standards in treating patients with brain disorders, such as metastatic brain cancer and benign brain tumors, are consistent with ISRS principles.
“Achieving this certification is reflective of our commitment to top-notch innovation and patient-centered cancer treatment,” said Markus Bredel, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the Miller School’s Department of Radiation Oncology.
Dr. Bredel, who took the helm of the department in August, made it an early priority for the department to earn the certification, an accolade that confers added comfort to those undergoing the daunting treatment.
“As the first in the country to receive the ISRS certification, we are setting new standards for excellence in the field of brain radiosurgery and offering world-class treatment, some of which you can’t receive anywhere else,” Dr. Bredel said.
Brandon Mahal, M.D., vice chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and associate professor of radiation oncology at Sylvester, feels grateful to be a part of the newly certified SRS program.
“With new leadership, we are in an exciting time as a department,” he said. “We are undergoing one of the most rapid growth trajectories in the country and will soon be a top-10 department in the nation in terms of patient volume.”
Rigorous Review
The ISRS Certification Service is in-depth and intense. First, the team completed a lengthy pre-visit audit that required them to review all intercranial SRS treatments. Then a detailed examination was performed on how the patients were initially consulted, how their radiation oncology treatment plan progressed, how they provided follow-up care and how they researched the outcomes.
“We provided hundreds of pages of documentation,” Dr. Mahal said.
An international team of experts then visited the center for two days, evaluating patient treatments from the beginning to the end of their journeys with brain cancer and benign brain lesions. In addition to assessing the center’s practices, the visiting expert conducted a physical dosimetry audit.
“Sylvester’s attainment of the first-ever ISRS Certification for Brain Radiosurgery for malignant and benign disease in North America, is a testament to the Department of Radiation Oncology’s commitment to precision and advancement,” said Ian Paddick, ISRS past president, co-chair of the ISRS Certification Committee and president of the British Radiosurgery Society. “This milestone highlights Sylvester’s leadership in promoting the practices of radiosurgery and providing exceptional treatment to patients.”
“Achieving the coveted ISRS certification is a testament to the excellence and strong collaboration between Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery at Sylvester in advancing the field of stereotactic radiosurgery,” said Allan Levi, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the Miller School’s Department of Neurosurgery.
A High Standard
The minimum standards to achieve the certification include:
- Staffing levels commensurate with the number and types of patients treated
- A team that includes specialists such as radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, medical physicists and others
- An experienced, SRS-trained doctor present during clinical treatments
- Imaging that meets high technical standards
- Multidisciplinary treatment planning
- Equipment that meets critical quality checks
Sylvester uses the Varian Edge Radiosurgery platform, which was ISRS certified, and has collaborated with Varian on clinical trials and research.
“Sylvester’s collaboration with Varian has been instrumental in advancing the field of radiosurgery,” said Raymond Schulz, MSc., director of global radiosurgery programs at Varian Medical Systems. “Achieving the first ISRS certification in North America underscores our shared commitment to delivering leading-edge, high-quality care to patients worldwide.”
The certification is valid for three years, during which time the department looks forward to its continued growth and success.
“This marks the direction of the University of Miami and Department of Radiation Oncology,” Dr. Mahal said. “We’ve attracted some of the top talent from across the country, in parallel with our rapid growth, and this signals the advancements we are making as we stand out as a center in this country.” 
