Elekta launches global Center of Excellence program to advance cancer management efforts

KETTERING, Ohio, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Elekta has established a Center of Excellence program that seeks the collaboration of its clinical customers in the development of high-quality research, education and outreach to advance the treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Long-time Elekta solutions user, Kettering Medical Center (Kettering, Ohio) has been named the program's first Center of Excellence. The program seeks to provide patients suffering from cancer and brain disorders with extraordinary treatment based on a foundation of collaboration and learning with prestigious institutions and a shared commitment to clinical excellence.

"With its vast array of Elekta cancer management solutions – and more than two decades of history and collaboration with the company – Kettering Medical Center exemplifies the vision of the Center of Excellence program through its activities in its community and region and through its reputation as a world-class provider of clinical services," says Jay Hoey, Executive Vice President, Elekta North America. "We are proud to designate Kettering as the first such center."

According to Douglas B. Einstein, MD PhD, Medical Director and Chairman of Radiation Oncology, Kettering Health Network, Elekta, Kettering and its patients will benefit from the center's participation in the Center of Excellence program.

"Together, we have created a center that provides academic-class care and treatments in a setting local to our patient population," he says. "We have every tool we need to treat the most complex cases and know that future evolution will only expand that array of equipment. Even cancer patients far from our hospital will benefit, as Elekta takes much of the experience gained at Kettering and applies it to assist other departments to deliver the same type of care."

Building on its experience in treatment planning, Kettering has become a MOSAIQ® Oncology Information System beta site and a Monaco® treatment planning system alpha site, both of which allow direct communication between Elekta product management and Kettering's radiation oncology staff.

"This collaboration allows both parties to push forward together," Dr. Einstein adds, "with Elekta receiving immediate feedback on any issues, while Kettering receives the latest software and has an impact on desired future developments."

In addition, many of Kettering's radiation oncologists and staff members give presentations at a variety of national meetings.

"We attempt to not only showcase the Elekta hardware and software, but also assist our peers at the same time," he says. "Together we show that any center with the desire to provide high quality treatment can enter into a partnership with Elekta and have the tools to do it."

Kettering's association with Elekta includes its acquisition of linear accelerators it acquired nearly 20 years ago, and – over the years – Elekta treatment treatment planning systems, oncology information systems and brachytherapy systems. Kettering also currently operates Elekta's Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ radiosurgery system and Elekta Synergy® radiotherapy system. In 2013, the center became the first US hospital to install and begin using Elekta's state-of-the-art Versa HD™ radiation therapy system.

For further information, please contact:
Gert van Santen, Group Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB
Tel: +31 653 561 242, e-mail: [email protected]
Time zone: CET: Central European Time

Raven Canzeri, Global Public Relations Manager, Elekta
Tel: +1 770-670-2524, e-mail: [email protected]
Time zone: ET: Eastern Time

About Elekta
Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both health care providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.

Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,500 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker STO:EKTAB. Website: www.elekta.com.

SOURCE Elekta