The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has promoted two long-term employees in a move to strengthen the Society's growing scope of activity and expanding staff.

"As the use of radiation therapy as a safe and effective treatment option for people with cancer has grown, ASTRO has also had to grow in terms of the number of staff and the scope of activities we provide our members. I'm looking to Terry Karras and Kathy Thomas to help me lead ASTRO into the future to ensure that our members have the tools they need to provide optimal care for their patients. Both Terry and Kathy can be relied upon to shoulder whatever is thrust upon them. I appreciate their loyalty and dedication," said Laura I. Thevenot, ASTRO Chief Executive Officer.

Terry W. Karras Jr. has been named Chief Financial Officer, recognizing his increasing role overseeing ASTRO's Finance, IT, Administration and Membership departments. Mr. Karras joined ASTRO in 2000 as Director of Finance. In 2004, he was promoted to Director of Finance and Administration as he took on responsibility for the Society's administrative functions. Before joining ASTRO, Mr. Karras was the General Accounting Supervisor for a manufacturing company in Connecticut handling accounts payable, billing, reporting and fixed assets. Mr. Karras holds a degree in Accounting from Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I.


Kathy Thomas has been named Senior Director of Education to recognize her expanding role shepherding the Society's educational efforts, including new multidisciplinary meetings, online learning initiatives and Maintenance of Certification. Ms. Thomas started her career in education at ASTRO in 1991 when the Society was still managed by the American College of Radiology and she became one of ASTRO's first employees in 1998. Under her tenure, ASTRO's Annual Scientific Meeting has grown from 7,000 attendees and 700 original abstracts in 1994 to nearly 11,000 attendees and more than 1,600 original abstracts expected at the Society's 48th Annual Meeting to be held in Philadelphia this November 5-9.

For photographs of these individuals, please contact Julie Moore at juliem@astro.org. For more information on radiation therapy for cancer, please visit www.rtanswers.org.

ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,500 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

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