by
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | November 24, 2025
Carilion Clinic is planning to introduce proton therapy to Southwest Virginia through a partnership with Mevion Medical Systems, the Littleton, Massachusetts-based developer of compact proton therapy systems.
The technology will be part of the new Carilion Taubman Cancer Center, currently under construction in Roanoke and scheduled to open in 2028.
The seven-story facility will be the first in the region to offer proton therapy and one of only three health systems in Virginia to provide the treatment. The therapy uses high-precision radiation that can target tumors while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissue — a feature particularly beneficial for treating complex cases in both adult and pediatric patients.
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The Roanoke-based health system plans to install Mevion’s S250i system, a single-room proton therapy unit designed for space- and cost-efficiency. The system includes HYPERSCAN pencil beam scanning and an Adaptive Aperture collimator, both aimed at improving dose conformity and reducing treatment time.
“This system allows us to deliver treatment directly to tumors while protecting healthy tissue much more effectively,” said Dr. David Buck, medical director of radiation oncology at Carilion.
Mike Abbott, president of Carilion Medical Center, said the addition reflects the health system’s effort to offer advanced cancer treatment locally. “With this technology, our patients will have access to the most advanced cancer treatments close to home—right here in Southwest Virginia,” he said.
Tina Yu, CEO and president of Mevion Medical Systems, added that the partnership aligns with the company’s mission to make proton therapy more accessible. “Together, we’re ensuring that patients throughout the region benefit from the most advanced radiation treatment technology available,” she said.
Carilion Clinic is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving nearly 1 million Virginians, while Mevion specializes in compact proton therapy systems used by cancer centers worldwide since 2013.
