St. Joseph Health Brings the Varian Edge Linear Accelerator

June 15, 2022, Bryan, TX - St. Joseph Health is proud to share that this week, the St. Joseph Health Cancer Center placed into service the Brazos Valley’s first and only state-of-the-art Varian Edge Linear Accelerator. With the addition of this new equipment, patients in the Brazos Valley can be confident that they have access to the latest cutting-edge cancer treatment, rivaling what is offered in larger markets.

A linear accelerator is a device used to treat certain types of cancer by aiming radiation with pinpoint accuracy so that only the affected area receives treatment, sparing the surrounding tissue. The Varian Edge is the latest linear accelerator technology, offering cutting-edge stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a noninvasive type of radiation therapy that uses highly focused radiation beams to quickly and effectively remove previously inaccessible tumors from the brain, lung, spine and other areas. Typically an outpatient procedure, radiosurgery with the Varian Edge rids the need for incisions and hospital stays. Tumors are targeted from nearly any angle. The device allows patients to breathe freely by offering a real-time tracking system that monitors the patient’s breathing and only delivers radiation to the affected area while healthy tissue remains intact.

"We are excited for the operation of the new linear accelerator at St. Joseph Health. This machine will allow us to continue to offer state-of-the-art cancer care in the Brazos Valley and underscores St. Joseph Health’s commitment to providing the very best care to patients afflicted with cancer,” said Scott Goble, MD, radiation oncologist at St. Joseph Health. “The precision and accuracy of this machine and the expanded services we can provide with it are truly a blessing for those battling this disease."

“Our new linear accelerator is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that expands our radiation services and provides a higher level of care to patients within the Brazos Valley,” said Jamie Pawlowski, MD, radiation oncologist at St. Joseph Health. “It aims radiation with pinpoint accuracy and extreme precision to allow for safer and more effective radiation treatments. We are thrilled to have this new piece of equipment within our community to offer accessible and cutting-edge cancer care.”

St. Joseph Health has a long history of leading the Brazos Valley in cancer care, offering advanced technology, treatments and a comprehensive physician team. Our highly-trained, board-certified radiation oncologists, Scott Goble, MD, and Jamie Pawlowski, MD, are part of a multidisciplinary care team that creates a personalized treatment plan for each patient. With our team of providers and state-of-the-art equipment, patients can be assured that they do not need to travel out of town to receive cutting-edge, compassionate cancer care.

For more information about St. Joseph Health’s cancer services, visit st-joseph.org/oncology.

About St. Joseph Health

St. Joseph Health is a member of St. Luke’s Health and part of CommonSpirit Health, the largest Catholic health system and the second-largest nonprofit hospital chain in the United States. Since 1936, St. Joseph Health has been the Brazos Valley’s leader in providing highquality, patient-centered health care. Our expansive network encompasses five hospitals, including St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan, College Station Hospital, Madison Hospital, Grimes Hospital, and Burleson Hospital; two long-term care facilities; an assisted living facility and multiple clinics. Regional Hospital is the highest-level trauma center in the Brazos Valley, ready to provide the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art trauma services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are the region’s only air medical service and the first in the region to be accredited as a Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center.

We are an academic and clinical partner of Texas A&M Health Science Center, working to improve health care access and taking an active role in training up-and-coming clinicians. Together, St. Joseph Health and the Texas A&M Health Network employ over 100 primary care physicians, specialists and advanced practice clinicians.

[For more information, please contact Communications Manager Tracy Bates at 713-962-9347 or [email protected].]