This delay is challenging operations and the financial viability of radiation oncology practices, especially in the community setting. If you have payers in your state that have not updated their code sets or fee schedule, please let us know using the survey linked below.

We are partnering with a number of our members and organizations throughout the Radiation Oncology community on a grassroots effort to encourage action from those payers.

Click here to complete the survey.

Our 2025-26 ACRO Advocacy Report details the efforts of your ACRO Government Relations & Economics Committee, but we wanted to share a few of the highlights:  

• Pushed back against physician payment cuts and supported a 2.5% increase for 2026
• Engaged CMS and Congress on sustainable reimbursement methodology
• Advocated for policies that support workforce stability and long-term access to care
• Worked to protect independent, freestanding, and rural practices from harmful reimbursement changes

As your College continues to champion the specific needs of radiation oncologists, our relationship with the American College of Radiology (ACR) remains a critical force multiplier. We know that in Washington, volume equals value. By aligning with the ACR, ACRO members gain a "seat at the table" that is second to none.

CMS and federal agencies have a long-standing history of listening to the ACR's data-driven insights. By leveraging their massive legislative infrastructure, we ensure that ACRO's clinical expertise is heard where it counts most: protecting our reimbursement, our practice standards, and the future of our specialty. This isn't just a partnership; it's amplified advocacy for every ACRO member.

Click here to renew or update your membership with ACRO.

Click here to learn more about becoming a member of the ACR


Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the physics pillar of the ACRO Accreditation Program 
• Lead ACRO Accreditation Physics Committee 
• Review/establish standards for evaluation of accrediting practices 
• Develop and update survey checklists and other materials for accrediting practices 
• Oversee and train physics surveyors 


Attend weekly accreditation management meetings 

• Attend quarterly standards committee meetings 
• Perform periodic accreditation surveys (compensated) 


Qualifications

• 10+ years post training clinical practice 
• Leadership experience 
• Accreditation experience preferred but not required 

Compensation

• Honorarium of $16,000 per year 
• Complimentary ACRO membership (does not apply to memberships for current ACRO fellows, or memberships for those working towards fellowship) 

How to Apply

Please email your CV along with a short statement of interest to Valerie Guth, ACRO Accreditation Manager. 

I am pleased to announce the results of the 2026 Board of Chancellors election for the American College of Radiation Oncology. This year we had an amazing field of candidates that applied for leadership positions with ACRO. It included some of the most engaged and influential members of our specialty, which is a reflection of commitment to the College and its future. The participation from the eligible voting membership illustrates the enthusiasm throughout the College and the quality of the candidates.

Your ACRO Nominating Committee has reviewed the election process and ballots submitted and is pleased to certify the following results:

• At-Large Members of the Board – Drs. Parul Barry & Emma Fields
• New Practitioner Member of the Board – Dr. Bhargava Chitti
• Resident Member of the Board – Dr. Isaac Lasko     

The Board of Chancellors would like to thank all of our extremely talented members for their willingness to step forward and apply for leadership in the association. We look forward to their ongoing contributions to the College.

Sincerely,

Jaroslaw Hepel, MD
Chair, ACRO Nominating Committee

Whether you're arriving early, planning to stay a few days after the Summit, or just looking for additional evening activities, there's no shortage of things to occupy your time near the Disney Dolphin Resort. Here are a few activities to enjoy when you're not busy learning and connecting with colleagues at ACRO 2026:

Check out one of the restaurants or bars on property.

Between the Disney Dolphin and its neighbor, the Disney Swan, there are more than a dozen dining options for you to try, ranging from fine dining to poolside bites. In the Dolphin itself, you can order a steak at Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak, try tacos or a marg at Rosa Mexicano, get your caffeine kick for the day at Fuel, or enjoy fresh seafood at bluezoo, just to name a few!

Walk or take the free water taxi to Disney's Boardwalk.

Just a short walk (or water taxi ride) away from the Dolphin is Disney's Boardwalk, a promenade packed with shopping, dining, and nightlife options.

Take the free bus to Disney Springs.

You can hop on a coach bus from the Dolphin for free transportation to Disney Springs, an entire district of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Feeling adventurous? Take flight in the world's largest hand-painted helium balloon. Looking for some evening entertainment? Book tickets to Cirque de Soleil's Drawn to Life. Up for some friendly competition? Take to the lanes at Splitsville. Hungry? There are more than 60 dining options within Disney Springs. Ready to shop? More than 90 stores await you with everything from high-end clothing and jewelry to Disney treasures and more.

Enjoy the pool.

Between the Dolphin and Swan hotels, there are six pools, plus whirlpools! Decks beside the pool offer family friendly games like ping-pong or basketball.Rent a cabana for privacy or just grab a poolside chair and relax with a book.

Ride the free Disney Skyliner.

From the Dolphin, take the water taxi to Epcot and you can board the free Disney Skyliner. It offers transportation to Hollywood Studios, and resorts including Caribbean Beach and Art of Animation. Even if you don't have any plans to visit those spots, you can stay on board and just enjoy the aerial view of the parks and resorts. 

Sing karaoke at the Kimonos Lounge.

Kimonos Lounge at the next door Swan resort is known not only for sushi and sake, but karaoke! You can get your chance on the mic from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30 pm to 1:00 am.

Go pedal boating in a swan boat.

Renting a swan boat is a fun way to explore the Dolphin & Swan property from a different viewpoint. Renting the boats is free for resort guests! Just visit the Cabana Beach Hut to get signed up.

Relax at the Mandara Spa.

When you're ready for some true relaxation, head to the Mandara Spa inside the Dolphin resort. Available treatments include massage, facial, manicure/pedicre, and more. Check out the spa menu here.

In addition, New Practitioner Members and Resident Members received separate ballots to elect their respective representatives to the Board of Chancellors. The same deadlines apply to those elections.

In accordance with the Bylaws, the Committee released its recommended Slate of Officer and Board of Chancellors candidates 60 days in advance of the ACRO Annual Meeting (December 6, 2025). The membership was provided 14 days to submit any additional candidates for consideration. The Nominating Committee did receive one additional candidate who met the requirements to be included on the ballot. Therefore, the following are the names that appear on the final ballots for member consideration. All candidates are listed alphabetically.

Prior to voting, please click here to review the candidate statements that have been provided by each candidate.

At-Large Members of the Board of Chancellors (Members will be voting for 2 candidates)

• Dr. Parul Barry (PA)
• Dr. Emma Fields (VA)
• Dr. Comron Hassanzadeh (TX)
• Dr. Christopher Jahraus (AL)
• Dr. Bridget Koontz (FL)
• Dr. William Noyes (ND)
• Dr. Parag Sanghvi (CA)

New Practitioner Member of the Board of Chancellors (New Practitioner Members will be voting for 1 candidate)

• Dr. Bhargava Chitti (NY)

Resident Member of the Board of Chancellors (Resident Members will be voting for 1 candidate)

• Dr. Isaac Lasko (IL)
• Dr. Jane Pearce (TX)

If you do not receive your ballot and unique voting ID today or if have any questions about the Nominating or Election Process, please reach out to our Executive Director.

As we approach the end of the year, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your continued dedication to our specialty. In a field defined by clinical precision and unwavering commitment to our patients, I hope the coming weeks provide you with a well-deserved opportunity for rest and reflection with your families.

The 2026 ACRO Summit

We are looking forward to a productive year ahead, beginning with the 2026 ACRO Summit in Orlando. These gatherings are vital to the strength of our College, providing a unique space for us to connect and advance our shared mission outside of the clinical setting. If you have not yet registered, I encourage you to do so and join us this February.

A Commitment to Our Members

On a personal note, I want to emphasize that as your President, I work for you. The American College of Radiation Oncology is a member-driven organization, and my primary goal is to ensure that the College is meeting your professional needs and elevating our field.

My door is always open to you. If you have any questions, specific requests, or suggestions on how we can better serve the membership, please contact me directly. Your feedback is essential as we shape the future of ACRO together. Thank you for the work you do every day. I wish you a peaceful holiday season and a healthy, prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,

Brian Lally, MD, FACRO  
President, American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO)

Saif Aljabab, MBBS, FRCPC, DABR, MBA (SARO) and Seth Kaufman, MD, FACRO (ACRO) will spearhead the partnership under the guidance of Jarek Hepel, MD, FACRO, ACRO Accreditation Medical Director.

“It brings me great honor to contribute to the establishment of this transcontinental alliance between our two societies, an endeavor that affirms our shared conviction that ‘worldwide quality of care is elevated when knowledge and expertise are exchanged across borders‘. Let us bring the world of radiotherapy closer, one step at a time.” -Saif Aljabab, MBBS, FRCPC, DABR, MBA (SARO)

While many hospitals hold general accreditation, specialized accreditation in radiation oncology does not yet exist in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the first time, radiation oncology practices will have access to a globally recognized, radiation oncology-focused accreditation process designed to elevate clinical standards, enhance patient safety, and support continuous quality improvement. 

“I am delighted to see this first of its kind international collaboration between ACRO and SARO now becoming operational, and to have had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Aljabab and his team over this past year. As the first practices in Saudi Arabia move through the accreditation process, both of our societies are looking ahead to other potential joint endeavors that could strengthen our profession on the international stage.” -Seth Kaufman, MD, FACRO

This collaboration reflects a shared mission, which is to ensure that every patient receiving radiation treatment in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East benefits from the highest standards of care. We look forward to engaging with radiation oncology centers, healthcare leaders, and stakeholders as we launch this historic initiative. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more advanced future for cancer care.

ACRO Accreditation would love to hear from you. Please contact Accreditation Manager Valerie Guth by email or phone (206-956-3642) at any time.

This bipartisan legislation would streamline and standardize prior authorization requirements within the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, addressing one of the most persistent barriers to timely, medically necessary care for America’s seniors.

Click here to read the letter in full.

On behalf of the ACRO Nominating Committee, I am pleased to announce the 2026 Proposed Slate of Board Candidates for the American College of Radiation Oncology. We had a great deal of interest from experienced and talented members of the College and for that we are extremely grateful. It is a sign of the strength of the College that we have so many quality candidates vying for leadership positions.

In accordance with the Bylaws, the Committee is releasing our recommended Slate of Board of Chancellors candidates 60 Days in advance of the Annual Meeting. The following are the recommendations from the Nominating Committee:

At-Large Members of the Board of Chancellors (Members will be voting for 2 candidates)

• Dr. Parul Barry (PA)
• Dr. Emma Fields (VA)
• Dr. Comron Hassanzadeh (TX)
• Dr. Christopher Jahraus (AL)
• Dr. William Noyes (ND)
• Dr. Parag Sanghvi (CA)
  

New Practitioner Member of the Board of Chancellors (New Practitioner Members will be voting for 1 candidate)

• Dr. Bhargava Chitti (NY)

Resident Member of the Board of Chancellors (Resident Members will be voting for 1 candidate)

• Dr. Isaac Lasko (IL)
• Dr. Jane Pearce (TX)

Voting Members may nominate additional candidates of their choice in compliance with the eligibility criteria. For member-nominated candidates to appear on the ballot, each of the nominations shall be supported by a nominating petition signed by at least 15 voting members, and shall be presented to the Nominating Committee not less than 45 days before the Annual Meeting (December 21, 2025). Nominating Petitions with the required signatures should be emailed to our Executive Director by midnight on December 21.

Electronic Ballots including all eligible candidates, those put forward by the Nominating Committee and those submitted by Member petition, will be distributed to voting members of the College on January 4, 2026 and must be returned by January 21, 2026. The ballots will be accompanied by instructions as well as candidate statements and CVs for all candidates being considered. The results of the vote will be announced before the Annual Meeting.

If you have any questions about the Nominating or Election Process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or our Executive Director.

Sincerely,

Jaroslaw Hepel, MD

Dear Colleagues and Friends of Radiation Oncology,

As 2025/2026 President of the Dr. Luther Brady Foundation, I invite you to join us in supporting the next generation of radiation oncology professionals, and in honoring the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Luther W. Brady.

Dr. Brady was one of the world’s foremost radiation oncologists and the founding president of the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO). His decades of leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence helped shape the field as we know it today. The Foundation exists to carry forward his vision: to expand the effectiveness of radiation therapy and to foster the growth of trainees, residents, and young clinicians who will carry that mission into the future.

Through your generosity, the Foundation is able to fund critical initiatives and opportunities, including: Educational and research grants for residents and medical students (such as Dr. Luther Brady Educational Grants and ACRO Seed Grants) Scholarships and elective opportunities, including travel grants for attendance at the annual Radiation Oncology Summit (ACRO’s annual meeting) Support for publication opportunities through CURiE, ACRO's publication through the Cureus Journal of Medical Science Mentorship, professional-development programs, and quality-improvement projects

Each donation - large or small - helps open doors for future radiation oncologists. As we look toward the future of radiation oncology, we need you. We call on ACRO members - and all radiation oncologists nationwide - to consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Dr. Luther Brady Foundation today. Your support not only honors Dr. Brady’s memory, it invests in the future of our profession, and in the countless patients whose lives will be touched by the physicians we help train.

Thank you for your generosity, your commitment, and your trust.

With gratitude and hope,

Steven E. Finkelstein, MD, FACRO

President, Dr. Luther Brady Foundation

On November 21, the 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Final Rule was published on the Federal Register Public Inspection page. As stated in our comment letter to the 2026 OPPS Proposed Rule, the College had serious concerns regarding the improper placement of radiation treatment delivery services in inappropriately low APCs. As ACRO noted in our November 6 statement on the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule, the College believed by inference from the OPPS to PFS crosswalk contained in the 2026 PFS Final Rule that a correction had been made. We are pleased to note that in the 2026 OPPS Final Rule that corrections indeed have been made to critical radiation treatment delivery service APCs. In ACRO’s comment letter to the 2026 OPPS Proposed Rule, ACRO found that CMS used the deleted IMRT codes (77385 and 77386) to set the payment rate for APC 5623, notwithstanding that the new IMRT codes (77407 and 77412) were being placed in APC 5622. As such, ACRO requested that CMS adjust the APCs in the 2026 OPPS Final Rule to better reflect cost and clinical rationales described in ACRO’s comment letter. In the 2026 OPPS Final Rule, CMS states, “[w]e agree with commenters that the proposed APC assignments and the resulting payment rates for CPT codes 77407 and 77412 could more properly account for the revisions made to those codes and that the geometric mean costs of CPT codes 77385 ($568) and 77386 ($634) should be considered when assigning the appropriate APC for these codes.” As a result of updated crosswalking of claims by CMS, 77412 has been assigned to the higher 5623 APC and, while 77407 will maintain its 5622 APC placement, CMS notes, “as a result of the crosswalk …. the payment rate for that APC is much greater than it was in the CY 2026 OPPS/ASC proposed rule.”

These changes are reflected in the table below.While ACRO believes the updated reimbursement for this new code set, as well as the OPPS to PFS crosswalk contained in the 2026 PFS Final Rule, will provide better reimbursement stability for radiation oncologists, we continue to support radiation oncology case rate legislation as part of a broader effort to remove high-cost equipment and supplies from the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The College appreciates CMS’ acknowledgement that the PFS does not properly value medical supplies and equipment and reiterates that the Physician Fee Schedule was not built for high-cost supplies and equipment. ACRO urges Congress to work with CMS to enact legislation to provide permanent stability to providers of radiation oncology services.

This year, I am particularly grateful for the "ACRO Family." Whether we are navigating the changing landscape of healthcare or simply sharing clinical advice, the support within this organization is unmatched.

I will be spending this Thanksgiving on call, so I want to send a special message to those of you who are joining me in the clinic or hospital this week. Cancer does not take a holiday, and neither does our dedication. Thank you for being there for our patients.

I am already looking forward to seeing everyone in Orlando this February for the 2026 ACRO Summit. It will be a wonderful time to reconnect in person and celebrate the strength of this community.

For those off duty, I hope you find time to disconnect, recharge, and enjoy the company of your loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving,

-Brian E. Lally, MD, FACRO
2025/26 ACRO President

We’re excited to announce a new partnership between the American College of Radiation Oncology and several of MJH Life Science's oncology brands: CancerNetwork, Targeted Oncology, Oncology Nursing News, and CURE! Together, we'll be working to share trusted resources, clinical insights, and educational opportunities that support oncology professionals and advance the field of radiation oncology.

Stay tuned for updates on what's ahead as we collaborate with MJH Life Sciences to strengthen our impact in the oncology community.

Yesterday, the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule was published in the Federal Register. Due to errors contained in certain addenda in the 2026 PFS Final Rule pre-publication last Friday, ACRO is issuing the following statement notwithstanding that we still await the publication of the 2026 Hospital Outpatient PPS (HOPPS) Final Rule.

Importantly, we do know from the 2026 PFS Final Rule that CMS believes “the use of OPPS APC relative weights to establish the relative relationship of PE RVUs for radiation treatment delivery services is more suited for capital-intensive services.” However, in the 2026 HOPPS Proposed Rule, CMS placed the new treatment delivery codes (77402, 77407, and 77412) into inappropriately low ambulatory payment classifications (APCs), which carried over to the 2026 PFS Proposed Rule rates for these same treatment delivery codes in the freestanding setting.

ACRO advocated for a correction in the 2026 HOPPS Final Rule and, while the HOPPS Final Rule has not been published, it appears by inference that a correction did occur based on the rates in the 2026 PFS Final Rule. ACRO estimates that this correction results in an smaller cut in 2026 rates for radiation treatment delivery services in comparison to 2025 from -10% in the 2026 PFS Proposed Rule to -3.8% in the 2026 PFS Final Rule. Separately, the Indirect Practice Expense (IPE) policy in the 2026 PFS Final Rule increases rates for non-treatment delivery codes by 5.2%, which offsets these reductions in the treatment delivery codes.

In addition, the efficiency adjustment policy (2.5% decrease in work RVUs) also is maintained in the 2026 PFS Final Rule. ACRO will work with other stakeholders to advocate for changes to the efficiency adjustment during upcoming healthcare legislative deliberations in the Congress.

ACRO continues to support radiation oncology case rate legislation as part of a broader effort to remove high-cost equipment and supplies from the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The College appreciates CMS’ acknowledgement that the PFS does not properly value medical supplies and equipment and reiterates that the Physician Fee Schedule was not built for high-cost supplies and equipment. ACRO urges Congress to work with CMS to enact legislation to provide permanent stability to providers of radiation oncology services.

ACRO will provide further information on the new treatment delivery codes in the weeks ahead.

The American College of Radiation Oncology Board of Chancellors and Government Relations & Economics Committee want to hear from you: how is the government shutdown impacting your ability to practice?

Please fill out our brief form to provide feedback on the impact and your experience.

Through this agreement, ACR-accredited radiation oncology practices will now be eligible to apply for the SRT Distinction: an advanced quality recognition program jointly developed by ACRO and RSS. Previously, the distinction was available exclusively to ACRO-accredited practices.

“This distinction allows ACR ROPA sites to enhance their stereotactic programs -- not only adding another layer of quality and safety -- but showing their patients that they are going above and beyond to excel in patient care," said David C. Beyer, MD, FACR, chair of the American College of Radiology Commission on Radiation Oncology. “As the indications, techniques, and technologies for stereotactic radiation grow, this affiliation between ACRO, RSS and ACR will recognize those programs that truly maintain the state of the art in SRS/SBRT.”

In 2022, recognizing the rapidly changing landscape of radiation therapy with a growing number of radiation centers and patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), the RSS and ACRO determined that a comprehensive accreditation program specific to SRS/SBRT clinical practice and physics quality assurance was necessary. Together the two organizations launched the SRT Distinction.

According to Jarek Hepel, MD, FACRO, ACRO Accreditation Medical Director, "ACRO-RSS Distinction in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy is a unique offering for this highly specialized treatment modality. With this agreement, we are very excited to be able to provide this distinction to a larger number of practices across the country."

The SRT Distinction is the only SRS/SBRT-dedicated accreditation review by a professional medical society that focuses on practice standards, patient management, and medical physics aspects unique to SRS/SBRT treatment.

"The field of SRS/SBRT has grown tremendously in the last decade and the availability of an accreditation program specific to its unique requirements becomes very important. The RSS-ACRO Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Accreditation Program offers independent evaluation using criteria specific to SRS/SBRT, including quality assurance practices, expert reviewers and disease site teams," said Simon Lo, MD, ChB, FACR, FASTRO, Medical Director of the Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Program. "We are glad that we are now able to extend the availability to ACR-accredited radiation oncology practices who seek SRT Distinction, which will benefit centers by showcasing their expertise and will help patients and caregivers identify centers of excellence.”

The program was designed by professional peers with extensive experience treating patients with SRS/SBRT, with the aim to identify standards indicative of a quality practice in the field of SRS/SBRT. The SRT Distinction currently focuses on SRS/SBRT treatments within six disease sites: CNS, spine, liver, lung, pancreas, and prostate.

The review consists of a minimum of five charts with a minimum of two charts per disease site, and peer reviewers evaluating cases within their area of expertise. In addition to the medical chart review, a physics survey process was developed by medical physicists with research development backgrounds and clinical expertise in stereotactic radiotherapy using a wide range of delivery technologies. Areas of evaluation include machinery, quality assurance, staff and training, and dose constraints specific to the delivery of SRS and SBRT treatment.

Centers interested in applying for the Special Distinction in Stereotactic Radiotherapy can contact Valerie Guth.

About ACRO Accreditation

The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support radiation oncology professionals by providing opportunities for career development and practice improvement to enhance patient care. In 1995, ACRO recognized the essential need to help practices provide state-of-the-art radiation therapy with the highest quality and safety standards in a landscape of rapidly evolving technological advances. In response, the College developed a radiation oncology-specific accreditation program. Accreditation is a voluntary process in which professional peers identify standards indicative of a quality practice, and an audit is conducted to assure that these standards are followed. Practices may choose between a three- or four-year accreditation term, and the virtual accreditation process offers flexibility to practices without compromise to its high standards.

ACRO is the only ISO 9001:2015 certified accreditation program for radiation oncology, and has held this distinction since 2014. Learn more at acro.org/ACROAccreditation.

About the Radiosurgery Society®

The Radiosurgery Society (RSS) – a non-profit, independent, multi-disciplinary organization of surgeons, radiation oncologists, physicists, and allied professionals, who are dedicated to advancing the science and clinical practice of radiosurgery. Originally formed in 2002 and becoming 501(c)(6) in 2008, the Radiosurgery Society (therss.org) today represents members who perform stereotactic body radiotherapy and radiosurgery in hospitals and freestanding centers throughout the world.

About the ACR Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA) Program

The American College of Radiology (ACR) Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA) Program, established in 1986, promotes quality and safety in radiation oncology through peer-reviewed evaluations by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists. The program assesses quality control and assessment activities, equipment, treatment planning and records, and patient safety protocols based on nationally recognized ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards, American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Technical Standards, and AAPM Task Group Reports and Practice Guidelines. ROPA provides practices with a comprehensive report of this impartial, third-party assessment to support continuous quality and safety improvement. Learn more at: acr.org/Accreditation/Modalities/Radiation-Oncology

About the American College of Radiology

The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a 42,000-member medical association that advances the practice and science of radiological care through advocacy, quality standards, research and education. acr.org.

Contacts:

Stephanie Tomei
The Radiosurgery Society®

Kristy Williford
American College of Radiation Oncology

Shawn Farley
The American College of Radiology

The first letter (CMS-1832-P) offers comments and recommendations on the following issues:

• Appropriate APC Placement for Treatment Delivery Codes (77402, 77407, 77412)
• Use of OPPS data to set PFS rates
• Updates to the Indirect Practice Expense (PE) Methodology
• Removal of 77427 from the Telehealth List
• Undervaluation of conversion factor due to G2211 Assumption
• Efficiency Adjustment
• Valuation of Imaging Guidance for Proton Beam Treatment Delivery (CPT codes 77520, 77522, 77523, and 77525)

The second letter (CMS-1834-P) offers comments on:

• Appropriate APC Placement for Treatment Delivery Codes (77402, 77407, 77412)
• BgRT

As noted in the letters, “ACRO’s comments seek to ensure ongoing access to high-quality, state-of-the-art radiation oncology services. Maintaining patient access is crucial to quality healthcare delivery since most of our patients require services five days a week for many weeks of life-saving therapy. Patient accessibility and continuity through a complete course of therapy are key components of the care continuum. We hope our comments highlight our sincere interest in making radiation oncology services cost-effective, fairly reimbursed, and readily accessible to cancer patients. We look forward to continuing to work with CMS to guarantee quality oncology services can be provided by our specialty to every Medicare patient.”

The American College of Radiation Oncology is pleased to announce that the ACRO Accreditation Program, under the direction of Dr. Jarek Hepel, has completed and passed its annual surveillance by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

ACRO Accreditation is the only U.S. radiation oncology accrediting body to acieve ISO 9001:2015 Certification.

The ISO is a highly regarded international certification body which evaluates an organization’s processes and procedures. The program undergoes a comprehensive yearly review of its quality objectives, operations, and structure.

This annual survey is invaluable and ensures that we maintain high quality procedures and incorporate the very latest concepts and tools into our quality management processes. ACRO Accreditation has been ISO-certified since 2014.

Strategic agreement will standardize clinical pathways through ACROPath^TM

GREENSBORO, NC—MARCH 13, 2025— Fuse Oncology, an oncology healthcare software solutions provider, today announced a strategic agreement with The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) to commercialize ACROPath, the organization’s proprietary clinical pathways platform for radiation oncology. Fuse Oncology will develop a dedicated application for ACROPath, integrating the evidence-based pathways into its product line to enhance clinical workflows, grow efficiencies, and improve patient care.

“Clinical pathways are more critical than ever, providing a structured approach to ensure safe, consistent patient care while improving access to groundbreaking clinical trials,” says Dwight E. Heron, MD, MBA, FACRO, President of ACRO. “With ACROPath integrated into Fuse’s solutions, radiation oncologists across settings will be able to seamlessly apply the necessary tools to optimize cancer treatment outcomes. ACROPath reinforces our commitment to supporting radiation oncologists in the mission to continually improve the lives of patients with cancer.”

Fuse Oncology will incorporate the proprietary pathways into its user-friendly suite of products, enabling radiation oncology clinicians to seamlessly access ACRO’s latest evidence-based treatment protocols for clinical decision support (CDS) within their daily software tools. Via a highly usable digital format, ACROPath guidelines are aggregated and standardized to ensure consistency with best practices. The partnership leverages integrated technologies and the clinical pathways to deliver trusted support to clinicians right at the point of care.

“As ACROPath is accessible to radiation oncology clinics through Fuse’s user-friendly application, there will be a significant impact on facilities, clinicians, and patients. Clinicians will gain real-time decision support based on ACRO’s validated pathways with no disruption to their workflow, ensuing consistency with current best practices,” says Matthew Manning, MD, Radiation Oncologist at Cone Health in Greensboro, N.C., and head of the Fuse Clinical Liaison Board. “This tool can fulfill the five rights of CDS: the right information to the right person in the right format through the right channel at the right time. ACROPath integration into Fuse can reduce care variation and increase quality while improving physician efficiency.”

Radiation oncology clinics leverage ACROPath to improve operational efficiency and quality control—helping departments align with national standards, streamline multidisciplinary coordination, and enhance outcomes tracking. As clinical care teams using Fuse solutions make quick, well-informed treatment decisions that adhere to proven protocols, patients will experience improved quality of care and better outcomes.

About Fuse Oncology

Fuse Oncology delivers SaaS solutions that break down healthcare workflow and data silos to create a seamless experience for clinicians in radiation oncology. By placing the broader electronic medical record system at the center of the architecture, Fuse eliminates duplicative and inefficient efforts to enable a future where oncology care moves at the speed of patients. For more information, visit FuseOnc.com. Stay updated on our latest developments by following us on LinkedIn @fuseoncology.

About ACRO

The American College of Radiation Oncology is a non-profit medical society founded in 1982 that is dedicated to supporting radiation oncology professionals by providing opportunities for career development and practice improvement to enhance patient care. The organization is comprised of 1,400 radiation oncology physicians, leaders, and trainees across the United States.

I am pleased and delighted to announce the results of the 2025 Board of Chancellors election for the American College of Radiation Oncology.

This year we had an amazing field of candidates that applied for leadership positions with ACRO. It included some of the most engaged and influential members of our specialty, which as your outgoing ACRO Board Chair is a reflection of commitment to the College and its future. The participation from the eligible voting membership illustrates the enthusiasm throughout the College and the quality of the candidates.

Your ACRO Nominating Committee has reviewed the election process and ballots submitted and is pleased to certify the following results:

• Vice President – Dr. Tarita Thomas
• At-Large Members of the Board – Dr. Jason Efstathiou, Dr. Jessica Schuster, and Dr. William Small
• New Practitioner Member of the Board – Dr. Comron Hassanzadeh
• Resident Member of the Board – Dr. Stephanie Dudzinski

The Board of Chancellors would like to thank all of our extremely talented members for their willingness to step forward and apply for leadership in the association. We look forward to their ongoing contributions to the College.

Sincerely,

Joanne Dragun, MD, FACRO
Chair, ACRO Board & Nominating Committee

The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) is proud to announce the establishment of the Helen Barr Memorial Scholarship through ACRO’s Dr. Luther Brady Foundation.  

“My wife, Linda, and I are setting up this scholarship in the name of Linda’s Mom, Helen Barr, who passed away years ago from breast cancer,” said Fraser Cobbe, ACRO Executive Director.   

The scholarship will annually support pre-med students as they begin their career path in radiation oncology. It will provide $500 to a student who has submitted research approved for presentation at the ACRO Annual Meeting.   

Helen’s breast cancer journey spanned more than 40 years. In her early 40s, she had a radical mastectomy of her left breast that left a large scar across half of her chest and a cavity under her arm where her lymph nodes had been. She received radiation therapy but not chemotherapy.  

In 1999, Helen was diagnosed with a tumor in her right breast and had a second mastectomy, but did not get radiation or chemo. Her final diagnosis was 10 years later - stage 4 metastatic. Helen opted for hormone blocker therapy, which gave her another year.  

“She was the one we shopped with and talked to on the phone. It was devastating when she got sick the last time and ultimately died at age 83,” said Linda Cobbe. “Mom had a giving spirit, so she would be delighted to know that she is still giving through this scholarship in her name and helping a young person become a radiation oncologist.”  

To illustrate how giving Helen was, she used her first experience with breast cancer to help other breast cancer patients through the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery® Program. Helen would often pack up her "kit" and visit someone in the hospital to comfort them and give them advice and hope. In later years, she volunteered at the medical center near her home in Venice, FL, as well as at her church food pantry.  

“Mom also was resourceful. After her first mastectomy, she sewed elastic bands into her bras and swim suits to hold her prosthesis before you could buy ones manufactured for breast cancer survivors,” shared Linda.  

The inaugural Helen Barr Memorial Scholarship is being awarded to Mitchell Finkelstein, a student at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. He will be presenting an abstract/poster at The Radiation Oncology Summit: ACRO 2025 on Novel Radiation Therapy Strategies in Oligometastatic Disease: Building Upon a Legacy of Homebody Irradiation.  

“Our motivation in creating the scholarship is to help in some small way develop future clinicians who will passionately care for other patients and families,” said Fraser.

The ACRO Scholarship Committee will determine the award annually based on abstracts submitted for the Annual Meeting by pre-med students. Learn more here

 Support Future Radiation Oncologists: If you would like to support students pursuing radiation oncology through the Helen Barr Memorial Scholarship, click here to make a donation through the Dr. Luther Brady Foundation. Please include "Helen Barr Memorial Scholarship" in your donor comments.

Please email ACRO Executive Director Fraser Cobbe if you have questions about this scholarship or are interested in creating your own scholarship program to support students pursuing radiation oncology.

Wander hotel-to-hotel to check out the amazing decor.

Many of the hotels have their own theme so there's something to discover at each one. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Famous landmarks recreated at New York New York:

Watch the Bellagio fountain show:

When you get a break during ACRO 2025, head outside and across the street from Planet Hollywood to the Bellagio to catch the famous fountain show. The show takes place e very 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes between 8:00 pm and midnight.

Glass ceiling sculpture by Dale Chihuly in the Bellagio lobby:

Experience the canals of Venice at The Venetian:

You can also take a ride on a gondola and be serenaded by a gondolier for an additional fee.

Roman-inspired architecture at Caesar's Palace:

Wander through Caesar's Palace and you'll feel like you've stepped out of Vegas and into Rome as you're surrounded by statues of Roman emperors, Corinthian columns, and grand fountains.

Levitate like a famous magician.

Planet Hollywood, the home for ACRO 2025, is also home to Criss Angel's Mindfreak magic show. Whether or not you buy tickets, you can stop by the show entrance (on the Mezzanine floor) and try your hand at levitation.

Take fun photos on the Strip.

This is a given in Las Vegas! There are many fun photo opportunities so make sure your phone is charged when you head out on the Strip.

Outside Hershey's Chocolate World at New York New York:

Giant guitar at Hard Rock Cafe:

Visit the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo hotel.

The Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat is home to, you guessed it -- flamingos! You'll also find waterfowl, pelicans, sturgeon, koi, catfish, turtles, and hummingbirds. A daily keeper talk also takes place at 10:00 am if you want to learn more about the wildlife.

Maintain your fitness during your trip.

The ACRO 2025 Race to the Summit will have wrapped by the time you arrive in Vegas, but that doesn't mean you can't lace up your tennis shoes and get your steps in on the Strip. When our ACRO physician members visited in December, we racked up between 6-7 miles walking per day! Just be sure to drink a lot of water; you don't want to get dehydrated in the desert climate of Las Vegas.

Check out the street performances and character actors.

You'll see all sorts of characters along the Strip from Mickey Mouse to Mario to Dr. Evil. Street performers will also entertain you with music or dancing. If you take a souvenir photo with one of them, or stop to watch their show, just be sure to leave some cash. They work exclusively for tips.

Visit the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign.

Call a taxi or ride-share for the approximately 10 minute drive from Planet Hollywood to the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Don't have the time? Not to worry; you'll see plenty of replicas around the Strip you can snap a photo of.

Visit the Hoover Dam.

The historic Hoover Dam is open daily for visitors and it is free to walk across the top of the dam. If you'd like to learn more, you can book a guided tour. Please note: th evisitor center exhibits and observation deck are currently closed for renovations which are expected to be completed in Spring 2025. A re-open date has not yet been announced.

On behalf of the ACRO Nominating Committee, I am pleased to announce the 2025 Proposed Slate of Officer and Board Candidates for the American College of Radiation Oncology. We had a great deal of interest from experienced and talented members of the College and for that we are extremely grateful. It is a sign of the strength of the College that we have so many quality candidates vying for leadership positions.

In accordance with the Bylaws, the Committee is releasing our recommended Slate of Officer and Board of Chancellors candidates 60 Days in advance of the Annual Meeting. The following are the recommendations from the Nominating Committee:

Vice President/President-Elect (Listed alphabetically - Members will be voting for 1 candidate)

• Dr. Christopher Jahraus (AL)
• Dr. William Noyes (ND)
• Dr. Tarita Thomas (IL)

At-Large Members of the Board of Chancellors (Members will be voting for 4 candidates)

• Dr. Parul Barry (PA) (Incumbent)
• Dr. Jason Efstathiou (MA) (Incumbent)
• Dr. Tarita Thomas (IL) (Incumbent)
• Dr. Nevine Hanna (FL)
• Dr. Christopher Jahraus (AL)
• Dr. Lawrence Kleinberg (MD)
• Dr. Parag Sanghvi (CA)
• Dr. Jessica Schuster (WI)
• Dr. William Small (IL)
• Dr. Nicholas Zaorsky (OH)

New Practitioner Member of the Board of Chancellors (New Practitioner Members will be voting for 1 candidate)

• Dr. Comron J. Hassanzadeh (TX)

Resident Member of the Board of Chancellors (Resident Members will be voting for 1 candidate)

• Dr. Stephanie Dudzinski (TX)

Voting Members may nominate additional candidates of their choice in compliance with the eligibility criteria. For member-nominated candidates to appear on the ballot, each of the nominations shall be supported by a nominating petition signed by at least 15 voting members, and shall be presented to the Nominating Committee not less than 45 days before the Annual Meeting (January 26, 2025). Nominating Petitions with the required signatures should be emailed to our Executive Director by midnight on January 26.

Electronic Ballots including all eligible candidates, those put forward by the Nominating Committee and those submitted by Member petition, will be distributed to voting members of the College on February 9 and must be returned by February 26. The ballots will be accompanied by instructions as well as candidate statements and CVs for all candidates being considered. The results of the vote will be announced before the Annual Meeting.

If you have any questions about the Nominating or Election Process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or our Executive Director.

Sincerely,

Joanne Dragun, MD, FACRO

Chair, ACRO Nominating Committee