Winship at Emory Midtown’s HDR brachytherapy program marks its first year, bringing cutting-edge, patient-centered cancer care to Georgia. Back row (left to right): Margaret Jones, Hally Majors, Garrett Kirshner, Kamran Salari and Clyde McLeon. Front row (left to right): Minnie Raven, Erika Armstrong, Rhonda Mahoney and Marshaie Stephens.
Since launching in February 2024, the high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy program at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown has provided patients with access to advanced, highly targeted radiation treatment that delivers precise doses directly to tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
In just its first year, the program has treated 91 patients and delivered 258 HDR treatments. While the procedure is most commonly used to treat prostate and gynecologic cancers, it is also an effective option for certain cases of breast, lung and skin cancers, further expanding its potential to improve outcomes across a range of disease types.
A major milestone for the program came on September 23, 2024, with the first case performed in Winship’s new HDR operative suite. From that date until June 2025, the team has completed 157 procedures in the suite, including 65 prostate brachytherapy cases, 64 gynecologic cases and 28 fiducial marker or hydrogel placements.
Co-led by Winship radiation oncologists Jill Remick, MD, and Sagar A. Patel, MD, the program offers full-service anesthesia in an outpatient setting, MRI-based treatment planning and a wide range of brachytherapy applicators. The streamlined experience ensures patients receive individualized care in a setting designed for both safety and comfort.
“We are very lucky to have a state-of-the-art HDR brachytherapy facility at Winship at Emory Midtown, which has now been fully operational for over a year,” says Remick. “Our entire brachytherapy staff is fully committed to making sure each patient feels comfortable and that their needs are fully addressed throughout their treatment.”
“We are so proud to offer the most advanced image-guided brachytherapy for our patients,” says Patel. “With MRI and CT imaging, anesthesia and perioperative care all in one space, we’re able to provide cutting-edge treatments for both routine and complex cases in a patient-centered environment.”
Innovation in One Space
HDR brachytherapy team in the operative suite
The HDR program is housed in Winship’s first dedicated radiation oncology operative suite, a space specifically designed for efficiency, comfort and seamless patient care. The suite features state-of-the-art MRI, CT and ultrasound imaging, along with a fully equipped operating room. A specialized brachytherapy team — made up of physicians, anesthesiologists, nurses, radiation therapists and medical physicists — delivers care using a streamlined, multidisciplinary approach fully integrated within the department.
Unlike most cancer centers, where patients often move between surgical and radiation spaces, this suite allows care to take place in one location, minimizing disruptions and enhancing the overall treatment experience. This approach not only reduces logistical burdens for patients but also supports better clinical outcomes by improving coordination among care teams.
For Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, the program is a testament to teamwork and the power of expert collaboration. “It has been gratifying to see a team of experts come together to establish this program that ensures access to an essential treatment option for our patients.”
As the program approaches the one-year anniversary of its fully operative suite in September, Winship celebrates the success of HDR brachytherapy in expanding access to high-quality, patient-centered cancer care across Georgia. Looking ahead, the team remains committed to advancing brachytherapy techniques and broadening access so that more patients can benefit from this leading-edge treatment.
Minnie Raven, BSN, RN, a nurse in the HDR program, says, “As we look to the future, one thing is certain: the HDR operating room is more than just a suite — it is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation and compassion meet at the operating table.”