NSS 2025.01.31 - Paige Taylor "Ensuring Quality in Proton Therapy:The Role of Peer Review Audits"

MPU Noon Seminar Series Speaker: Paige Taylor, PhD, DABR, FAAPM IROC Houston, QA Center University of Texas – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Radiation Qualtiy Assurance Laboratory Houston, Texas Title: "Ensuring Quality in Proton Therapy:The Role of Peer Review Audits" Abstract: The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) provides quality assurance for the NCI’s National Clinical Trial Network and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, ensuring consistency and comparability across centers participating in clinical trials. One critical piece of this quality assurance process are audits of the radiation machines and treatment process. This seminar will delve into the critical role of peer review audits in proton therapy, highlighting their importance in ensuring accuracy in cancer treatment. Attendees will learn about the methodologies and best practices for conducting effective proton therapy audits, as well as the impact of these audits on clinical trial accuracy. The session will also explore case studies and real-world examples to illustrate the benefits of rigorous peer review processes. Biographical Summary: Dr. Paige Taylor is an Assistant Professor at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. As the lead proton physicist for the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC), she has conducted over 40 on-site audits and hundreds of anthropomorphic phantom and output check audits for proton therapy centers around the world. Her research focuses on identifying, rectifying, and preventing errors in proton therapy treatment planning and delivery.