PI Works in China to Establish a New Patient Pathway for Protons

Written by Jeremy Gilden, Proton International Director of Patient Referrals

As part of the mission to increase access to proton therapy for patients and providers around the world, representatives and leadership of Proton International spent a week in China earlier this month. PI executives attended the grand opening of their new offices in Hangzhou, China on Thursday, May 9th and met with their new staff and health representatives from the region. This new office will act not only as the hub for Chinese patient referrals but also the lead development office for all PI projects throughout China. As the culmination of the programme, Jeremy Gilden, Director of Patient Referrals, gave a presentation on the benefits of proton therapy and the need for establishing a referral network in China to the regional health representatives and health system personnel.

From Hangzhou, the PI team traveled to western China and the site of their first Asian development project. The city of Xi'an is renowned as the birthplace of modern Chinese culture and is also the home of one of the most respected medical schools in all of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University. Upon their arrival, the Executives of Proton International were invited to tour and attend the 4th Annual Silk Road International Exposition, which is focused on the economic development of the region through international projects and trade. During their time in Xi'an, the team was hosted by state officials from the Office of the Development for the Xixian New Area Special Economic Zone for Science and Technology Synergy.

The centerpiece and finale of the trip was a conference held at Xi’an Jiaotong University, during which CEO Chris Chandler signed an MOU with the Dean of the Medical School for Xi’an Jiaotong University, Dr. Ziming Wang, for the development of a proton therapy center in the new Fengdong district in the city of Xi’an. Mr. Chandler then gave a presentation on the Clinical Benefits of proton therapy, while Director, Ron Gilden, gave a presentation on the history and future of proton center development today the leadership and physicians from the University and its affiliated hospitals.

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