Proton center in Russia
by
Philip F. Jacobus, CEO | June 08, 2016
On Monday night I flew to St. Petersburg Russia to participate in a ceremony to lift a 90,000 metric ton cyclotron. It was lowered into place by two special cranes. There were four TV stations, a senator, health minister and all sorts of local government dignitaries present for the occasion.
One of my main takeaways was the extent to which the community and the government here supports health care delivery. I don't feel it's that way in the U.S. where, if anything, our government seems to make it harder for health care providers.
Perhaps overall, the U.S. has become a hard pace to do business. They built the Empire State building in one year — but after 15 years the Freedom Tower is still not complete.
After hurricane Sandy, the New York City government supported our health care institutions but that was only because it was an emergency. In the case of the Russian proton center the government tried to do all that they could to help this new center; they helped supply water and electricity and permits and roads.
No country is perfect. No government is perfect. While I believe the U.S. health care system is one of the best on the planet, I think it's also the most complicated to navigate. I wish we could learn from each other.
Getting back to the proton center, it is expected to be treating patients in December 2017. It will have taken four years to find the land, clear the land, build the building, install the equipment and commission the equipment.
I think everyone agrees that proton therapy is the best treatment option for children and adolescents with complex cancer cases and I'm proud to be part of this project.
By way of full disclosure, I'm an investor in this center which we purchased from Varian.
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About Phil Jacobus
Phil Jacobus has been involved in health care since 1977, when he visited China to sell equipment. He has done business in 35 countries and still travels extensively. Phil is active in charity, helps rural clinics and always tries to help DOTmed users when he can.
Phil is a member of AHRA, HFMA, AAMI and the Cryogenic Society of America. He has contributed to a number of magazines and journals and has addressed trade groups.
Phil's proudest achievement is that he has been happily married to his wife Barbara since 1989, who helped him found DOTmed in 1998.
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Leon Zebrick
Proton Therapy Center
June 09, 2016 05:53
In addition to support received thus far, I imagine the center will also enjoy a "protected territory" - controls in place to avoid duplication of services. In the US we have way too many underutilized major assets that could/should be shared, but are not. This situation results in more cost for all of us. Good luck with the new facility.
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