The Beam: New leadership at Fred Hutch, an in-depth look at medical physics, antioxidants and their role in cancer care, an introduction to new radiation therapist

Dr. Jing Zeng’s new leadership role at Fred Hutch

“She is an exceptional leader.” This is a sentiment repeated many times by colleagues of Jing Zeng, MD, as she transitions from her role as medical director at Fred Hutch Cancer Center - Proton Therapy to vice chair of Clinical Affairs in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Washington and Fred Hutch.

“I was grateful to have had the opportunity to work closely with her on the proton therapy leadership team,” said Associate Medical Director Emily Weg, MD. “We all benefit tremendously from her commitment to our institution and our patients.”

Zeng’s dedication to the best possible quality of care for proton therapy patients was echoed by all staff when asked about her work. She accepted the role of Medical Director in 2020 during a mission-critical period for the facility and shepherded the staff through the merger with Fred Hutch. Her commitment to excellence and leadership ensured that the facility could continue to deliver the highest quality of care during these significant transitions.

Ramesh Rengan, MD, PhD, FASTRO, who was the medical director at the facility prior to Zeng, said:

“Dr. Zeng has been an invaluable asset to Fred Hutch during her tenure as medical director. Her dedication to providing the highest quality cancer care has been evident through her leadership and expertise. On behalf of the entire team at Fred Hutch, we extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Zeng for her years of service and contributions to advancing proton therapy.”

“It has been an incredible journey for the past 12 years,” said Zeng.  “Since 2012, I have witnessed our growth and evolution of the facility into a beacon of hope and healing for our patients. When I reflect on the path we've traveled together, I cannot help but marvel at the transformations — from the pioneering early days through today, we have continually pushed boundaries and set new standards in proton therapy.”

Some of these technological advancements include upgrading all our patient treatment rooms to pencil beam scanning, the most advanced and precise way to deliver proton radiation, as well as updating the medical records system, recruiting world experts in proton therapy, and beginning leading-edge research on ultra-high-dose-rate radiation (FLASH). 

“Dr. Zeng’s leadership has propelled the proton therapy facility towards groundbreaking advancements, while fostering a strong supportive environment for all team members,” said Randall K. McClure Jr., MBAHM, RTT, director of the proton therapy facility.

“I am so thankful to both the staff and the patients,” said Zeng. “The staff’s unwavering dedication and expertise have been the bedrock upon which our success stands. Our patients’ trust and courage inspire us daily, and it is their stories of resilience that remind us why our work is so profoundly important.”

Staff at the proton therapy facility shared glowing reflections on Dr. Zeng, noting her strong work ethic, calm demeanor and her willingness to always take the time to listen to people’s problems or concerns.

“Dr. Zeng’s leadership has been phenomenal,” said Bao-Ngoc Thi Nguyen, CMD, dosimetry manager, who often works closely with Zeng.

Nurse Manager, Amanda Naiker, RN, BSN, agreed:

“Dr. Zeng is an outstanding provider to work with. She is efficient, responsive, approachable, and always willing to teach. I have learned a great deal from her both in her role as physician and as leader. Her unwavering commitment to patient care and staff development has significantly enhanced the facility and our patients' experiences. Her leadership has truly set a benchmark for excellence.”

After much contemplation, Zeng decided to take on a new challenge where she can continue to serve Fred Hutch using the experiences and insights she has gained as medical director.

As the vice chair of Clinical Affairs, Zeng will work with a team to ensure Fred Hutch provides world-class patient care across all clinic locations, including the proton therapy facility.  She will collaborate closely with the medical directors at all facilities, medical physicists and clinical and operational staff. As Fred Hutch continues to grow, her aim is to provide our patients with the same leading-edge level of care no matter at which location they are seen for treatment.  

“I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Zeng in her new role," said McClure. "Building on her exemplary performance here I am excited to see her lead the proton therapy facility and the entire radiation oncology department into many new and exciting opportunities."

Zeng will be greatly missed in her proton therapy leadership role, although she will continue to see patients at the facility.

On September 1, Annemarie Shepherd, MD, will step into the role of medical director at the proton therapy facility. Shepherd joins Fred Hutch from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and The New York Proton Center, where she treated patients with thoracic cancers. We’ll introduce her in the September newsletter.

An in-depth look at the role of medical physicists in proton therapy

When it comes to proton radiation therapy, the medical physics team plays a vital role in delivering radiation safely and precisely. Medical physicists oversee many of the most technical aspects of proton therapy, such as treatment planning, quality assurance, dosimetry, new equipment and treatment techniques, radiation safety and education and training. This wide range of tasks is overseen by clinical physics lead and University of Washington clinical professor, Tony Wong, PhD, DABR. 

“A day in the life of a medical physicist at our proton therapy facility involves performing and reviewing all quality assurance checks on the machinery, conducting patient-specific quality assurance and medical physics consults with patients, collaborating on treatment planning and overseeing treatments, engaging in research and development, and documenting all activities,” said Wong.

The Fred Hutch team loves the work because of its impact on patient care, the intellectual challenges, the advanced technology and the collaborative, respectful work environment. “These aspects combine to make our profession both fulfilling and exciting,” he said.

Of course, challenges exist. Medical physicists must stay abreast of technological advancements, develop new treatment techniques and manage regulatory requirements and resource constraints while ensuring quality.

Jatinder Saini, PhD, MBA, DABR, clinical professor and lead medical physicist, was recently involved in researching and developing pencil beam scanning for ocular melanoma at Fred Hutch. This is one example of the ongoing research done by medical physicists to deliver the most up-to-date treatment for patients. By bridging the gap between research and clinical application, medical physicists ensure that innovations improve proton therapy values, aiming to improve patient treatment outcomes.

The medical physics team works closely with dosimetrists, radiation oncologists and radiation therapists to make sure they provide the best quality care for all patients.

“Effective communication, continual education, and a commitment to patient safety and continued quality improvement are essential to overcoming these challenges,” said Saini.

A typical training pathway to becoming a medical physicist involves earning a bachelor’s degree in physics or a related field, followed by a graduate degree in medical physics, such as a master’s or doctorate degree from a CAMPEP-accredited program. Then, graduates enroll in and complete a CAMPEP-accredited medical physics residency program that provides hands-on clinical experience and need to pass the certification exams administered by the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Radiologic Physics. At Fred Hutch, medical physicists handle all diseases treated with proton therapy.

“I enjoy working on all disease sites because each presents unique technical challenges that help broaden my expertise,” said Saini.

Keeping the group motivated is a team effort requiring effective and collective leadership. Wong focuses on clear communication, with professional development opportunities, support for innovation and recognition of achievements. Having a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is also important to Wong.

Fred Hutch proton therapy medical physicists are happy to answer questions from patients about treatment plans. You can contact info.proton@fredhutch.org if you would like to be put in touch with one of our physicists. 

Nutrition: Antioxidants and Radiation

— by Laura Martinell, RD, CSO, CNSC

Antioxidant supplementation during radiation is controversial. Some studies show that antioxidants might have benefit, while many others show that they could be harmful during radiation. Fred Hutch registered dietitian Laura Martinell explains more.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are nutrients that help protect our healthy cells from oxidative stress (too many free radicals). By preventing the creation of free radicals — unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing illness and aging — antioxidants keep our cells healthy and reduce our susceptibility to certain diseases.

Some well-known antioxidants are vitamin C, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, vitamin A, CoQ10, and beta-carotene. There are many other supplements that contain antioxidants as well, such as daily multivitamins. In addition to vitamins and minerals, plant and herbal supplements like green tea, turmeric, echinacea and ginseng are also antioxidants.

Should I be taking antioxidant supplements?

Antioxidant supplements can protect normal cells and tissue from damaging side effects of radiation. However, many studies show that antioxidant supplements not only protect your healthy cells, but possibly also your cancer cells. The goal of radiation is to damage the cancer cells enough to cause cell death. High doses of antioxidants, like the amounts found in supplements, could protect cancer cells from damage, making the radiation less effective. We recommend avoiding antioxidant supplements — including herbal ones — during radiation so that your treatment can be most effective in fighting your cancer!

What about antioxidants from food?

There is no evidence that you should avoid eating antioxidant-rich foods during radiation treatment. The amount of any specific antioxidant in a whole food is unlikely to interfere with treatment.

Most patients being treated with radiation are encouraged to eat a variety of plant foods during treatment, if the fiber doesn’t worsen any gastrointestinal symptoms. The evidence shows that a diet rich in plants such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds have protective benefits and can reduce the risk of certain types of cancers. We don’t have evidence that supplements have the same benefit.

Here are some antioxidant-rich summer recipes from Fred Hutch’s Cook for Your Life.

Grilled apricots with mint yogurt

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons honey (optional)
• 1 tablespoon mint, chopped
• 1 apricot, cut in half

Directions:

1.      Stir mint and honey into Greek yogurt and let chill in refrigerator.

2.      Place the apricots on the grill. Cook until they have nice grill marks and release easily. Cook on both sides.

3.      Once cooked and soft (about 10 minutes if your apricots are not ripe or 5 minutes if they are), remove them from the grill and let cool.

4.      Top with yogurt.

Mixed berry smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
• ½ cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• ½ avocado
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ·Add ice if using fresh berries

Directions:

1.      Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth.

2.      If using fresh fruit, add ½ cup ice cubes before blending

3.      Serve immediately.

Summer Garden Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
• ½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
• 2 to 3 garden cucumbers, peeled and cut into half-inch chunks
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved. Or 1 medium beefsteak tomato, seeded and cut into half-inch chunks
• 1 orange pepper, seeded and cut into half-inch squares
• 1 yellow pepper, seeded and cut into half-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon of your favorite soft-leaved summer herb, shredded. (Choose either mint, basil or cilantro).

Directions:

1.      Whisk the oil, lime juice and salt together in a medium salad bowl.

2.      Add in the cucumber, tomatoes, orange and yellow peppers, and the shredded herbs. Toss together. Let sit in the fridge for 30 minutes for the flavors to develop. Taste for salt. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Meet radiation therapist, Tiffany Huang

Tiffany Huang, RTT, is one of Fred Hutch’s newest radiation therapists. She started in October 2023 after finishing her bachelor’s degree at Bellevue College. A native of Bellevue, Wash., she received her bachelor’s degree in marine biology focusing on salmon, but then fell in love with the world of health care. Before becoming an RTT, Huang worked at the Seattle Children’s Autism Center to help children get diagnosed and received the appropriate resources. However, when both of her grandfathers needed cancer treatment, she learned about radiation therapy for the first time, and it intrigued her enough to make it her career. 

“After observing our proton therapy therapists for one day through my school, I knew this was where I wanted to work. It's an amazing feeling to be a part of a team that delivers precision and excellence,” Huang said. “I love the team dynamic here.”

What Huang loves most about her role is being able to build relationships with patients as an integral part of their care team. She hopes her cheerfulness and smiles brighten patients’ days.

Outside of work, Huang likes to spend time with family and friends and take her two miniature poodles out for adventures. She and her husband also spend time volunteering at Tzu Chi Chinese School (where she attended from age 8 to 18) and Issaquah Food Bank as well as cleaning trails with the Washington Trails Association.

“My husband and I are firm believers of service before self,” she said. “If you ever see us out volunteering, feel free to say hi!”

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