The Northwell Cancer Institute has opened its newly renovated Queens Radiation Center in Forest Hills. Following a $5.8 million investment in facility upgrades and cutting-edge technology, it represents a major breakthrough in precision radiation therapy, delivering diagnostic-quality imaging and treatment with unprecedented accuracy for cancer patients throughout Queens and surrounding communities.
[Photo above: (From left): Richard Barakat, MD; Roberto Lipsztein, MD; Bhupesh Parashar, MD; Jon Sendach; Louis Potters, MD; and Anuj Goenka, MD. Photo by: Northwell Health]
The Queens Radiation Center features the Varian Halcyon linear accelerator with HyperSight advanced imaging technology. The system also includes PerfectKinetix Dynamic Couch, the table patients lay on during radiation treatment, which is designed to make patient positioning more comfortable. This novel positioning system allows clinicians to treat complex cases with greater accuracy, requiring fewer patient repositions, faster treatment times, and less time on the table.
The advanced radiation system and imaging technology provides high-quality, daily pre-treatment imaging in a single six-second breath hold, enabling radiation oncologists to clearly visualize and precisely target tumors with exceptional accuracy.
“The opening of our Queens Radiation Center reflects Northwell’s deep commitment to health equity and community investment,” said Richard Barakat, MD, physician-in-chief and executive director of the Northwell Cancer Institute. “By bringing state-of-the-art radiation technology and renowned clinical experts to Forest Hills, we’re ensuring that our diverse Queens communities receive the same precision care available anywhere in the world.”
“The center’s new technological advancements show that Northwell’s radiation oncology program remains steadfast in its mission to provide the most up-to-date, highest quality, cutting-edge care to our cancer patients,” said Louis Potters, MD, senior vice president and deputy physician-in-chief of radiation oncology at the Northwell Cancer Institute. “The opening of our Queens Radiation Center represents our commitment to expanding access to advanced cancer care throughout New York. Patients no longer need to travel to Manhattan or elsewhere for world-class radiation therapy—they can receive it right here in their community.”
Bhupesh Parashar, MD, PhD, chairman of the Queens Radiation Center and vice chair of research for the Department of Radiation Medicine at Northwell Health, explained how the new radiation oncology technology works. “The integration of HyperSight technology represents a transformational advancement in how we deliver cancer care,” he said. “It enables us to target tumors with extraordinary precision while getting patients in and out quickly — with the average on-table time in just 10 minutes or less. Combined with the unique design of the table and its novel positioning system, we are offering patients access to the most advanced imaging and treatment technology available anywhere in the world.”
The Queens Radiation Center treats patients with prostate, breast, gynecologic, lung, brain, and head and neck cancers, among others. The center’s experienced radiation oncologists work closely with cancer surgeons and medical oncologists to ensure patients receive comprehensive, coordinated cancer care at Northwell Health hospitals — Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park and Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.
