Jerry Jaboin, MD, PhD, MBA, FASTRO | Oklahoma
The Sooner State
Compiled by Jennifer Jang, MHS
Radiation oncologist, Professor and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
~110 patients treated daily at Stephenson Cancer Center
Average treatment times:
6:30 a.m. most days with varying finish times,
completing treatments between 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (until our next replacement machine)
We are in a staffing transition, but our clinic FTE is growing. By year’s end we should be staffed with 10+ each of nurses, dosimetrists, physicians and physicists. We have four APPs, and 25+ FT radiation therapists, and the best adjunctive supports with an MA, and fantastic patient resource representatives!
We have the full complement of treatment options, including but not limited to an EDGE, Gamma Knife, Mevion Proton, Tomotherapy and a very busy Elekta brachytherapy afterloader. Our center boasts an array of infusion services with a robust clinical trial infrastructure and with all cancer services available within our building.
Describe your home life.
Family of six bright and talented children, hard-working and highly organized wife, and an amber golden retriever named Autumn. We live in a lovely and supportive community and live a rich and busy life.
What challenges does your practice setting present?
As the only academic hub in Oklahoma, we wish to provide all those in our state and region the opportunity to have cutting-edge clinical care.
Why do you enjoy/prefer this practice setting?
We have cutting-edge technology, amazing clinical partners, and the opportunity to engage in the tripartite mission of education, research and high quality clinical care.
What first drew you to the field?
I have had a long interest in cancer since the loss of a loved one as a child. That culminated in experiences that brought me closer to this field, including truly a one-of-a-kind gem that I was first introduced to while training at the National Cancer Institute (as part of the Graduate Program Partnership with my home institution, Howard University College of Medicine).
What first drew you to your place of employment?
Oklahoma is a unique state. It is the fourth worst state for cancer mortality, and a laggard for cancer screening, yet has a colorful history, a rich population, and is growing at about twice the national average. The opportunity to impact statewide (and regional) care was significant. In particular, the opportunity to update our technology, faculty complement, augment staffing and enhance and develop pipeline programs was simply too much to pass up, especially as the OU Health System had its inception at the time of my arrival.
Do those reasons still apply to your day job?
Yes. It has been a whirlwind of change, but we are just starting to appreciate the fruits of our efforts.
What has changed most about your practice during your tenure?
My personal practice has changed as we have grown and specialized our team. I love the patient interaction and try to support the team in as many ways possible.
What worries you most about the future of your practice / the field at large?
Growth in innovation, funding and integration of efficiency tools. We have an exciting field, and need to continue to innovate, and craft creative solutions to the eradication of cancer and its suffering. I worry about our ability to fund those advancements from the perspective of radiation therapy solutions.
What are you most excited about when looking ahead?
There has been exciting research by leaders in international programs. We have also seen the proliferation and research in adaptive hypofractionated radiotherapies, flash radiotherapy and exciting advancements in theranostics. Additionally, the ability to harness adjunctive immunotherapies in combination with radiotherapy has continued to evolve in understanding and application.
What is your most cherished professional accomplishment?
I most cherish relationships within the field. The ability to serve my team as a chair, and in particular trying to be worthy of the role, has been something that I have cherished.
How do you recharge or practice wellness amidst the hustle and bustle of the work week? What does wellness mean in your life, and how do you pursue it?
Those closest to me might not take my answer seriously. Let’s just call that a work in progress. I now have a treadmill and large screen TV in my office. I have a varied set of music in the background that helps me “get away,” but I need to do serious work in recharging and wellness in the coming years.
