TEXAS CENTER FOR PROTON THERAPY - Key Persons
Dr. Lee was the first physician to treat patients with spot-scanning proton therapy in North America, commonly known as pencil-beam scanning, which enables greater conformality in tumor treatments compared to traditional proton beam therapy.
Job Titles:
- Technical Imaging Supervisor
Derek Smith serves as the technical imaging supervisor at Texas Center for Proton Therapy. In this role, Derek oversees the advanced, high resolution imaging equipment, including the Center's 3 Tesla MRI and PET/CT technology. Prior to joining Texas Center for Proton Therapy, he served as a radiology manager for two nuclear labs for a cardiovascular clinic in North Texas. Derek also served as a clinical applications specialist at Siemens Healthcare and has a special interest in Siemen's advanced technology - an important piece of the imaging suite at Texas Center for Proton Therapy.
Dr. Jared Sturgeon became a radiation oncologist after working closely with cancer patients during his medical school training at University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He completed his training in radiation oncology in Texas and after his residency, completed a fellowship in proton therapy under the direction of medical director, Dr. Andrew Lee, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Sturgeon accepted his first position at the Karamanos McLaren Proton Therapy Center in Flint, Mich. The draw of returning to Texas was too great, and in 2015 Dr. Sturgeon relocated his family to the lone star state to join the team at Texas Center for Proton Therapy.
Dr. Sturgeon's clinical research interests include proton toxicity outcomes, advanced imaging and human reproducibility, and cancer population etiologies. He is interested in medical education and created an online database to help residents pass their medical boards.
Dr. Sturgeon has a special interest in treating breast, head and neck, pediatric, and lung cancers. He is passionate about working closely with patients as they undergo cancer therapy. Dr. Sturgeon understands that every person and cancer is unique and works hard to ensure that each patient receives high quality care.
What are three things you would like your patients to know about you?
I love being a part of a patient's individual cancer journey, and I am always humbled to be a part of a patient's care team. I am grateful to live in an age where we are making so much progress in cancer care - from proton therapy to immunotherapy, there have been great strides in advancing treatment options for all cancer types. And, fun fact, I am lucky enough to have seven children.
What made you interested in working with proton therapy?
I have always been interested in leading-edge technology, and I have had a passion for caring for cancer patients. Those reasons combined led me to this field of medicine. Proton therapy is on the forefront of radiation and I wanted to continue growing my knowledge and experience with that technological edge. I have always wanted to make sure that patients could return to a life that is as normal as possible, with the fewest side effects after treatment. As a radiation oncologist, I feel responsible not just for helping them with their cancer diagnosis, but also for ensuring that side effects do not linger or cause secondary issues. I was drawn to proton therapy because of the possibility of helping patients recover with as little disruption to their quality of life as possible.
Dr. Tang also worked as a research scientist at Institute of High Energy Physicians, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has received numerous research grant awards and been involved in numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Dr. Tang is also proficient in Mandarin and English.
Job Titles:
- Practice Director of Clinical Services
Justin serves as the practice director of clinical services at Texas Center for Proton Therapy. With nearly 15 years of experience in radiation therapy, Justin previously served as the director of technical services and lead radiation therapist at Texas Center for Proton Therapy since its opening in 2015. He received a Master's in Health Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport in 2019.
Laura Drap is a certified child life specialist at Texas Center for Proton Therapy. Laura's career as a child life specialist started at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, where she completed her child life internship. She served as education coordinator and child life specialist for 17 years at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters before moving to Texas in 2015. As the primary child life specialist at Texas Center for Proton Therapy, Laura provides developmentally appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation, and support to help reduce fear and anxiety often associated with medical experiences.
Job Titles:
- Patient Support Administrator
Lauryn Lane has stepped into the role of patient support administrator. Lauryn has been with the center since 2015, most recently serving as office manager. With a background in non-profit volunteer coordination, she has been an integral part of Texas Center for Proton Therapy in new patient onboarding, community involvement and office organization. In her new role, Lauryn will provide support and assistance to patients being treated from near and far.
Job Titles:
- Patient Intake Supervisor