The Department of Radiation Oncology has partnered with Varian to develop a HyperArcTM one-day trainee observation visit that includes observation of clinical cases and didactic sessions focused on treatment of CNS and spinal tumors.
Note that this is distinct from the three-day course “Advanced Radiosurgery and SBRT with Eclipse and TrueBeam.” Topics covered include patient selection, simulation, VMAT/HyperArc treatment planning, quality assurance, small field dosimetry, frameless image guidance, and treatment delivery workflow.
Course Information
2025 Dates
Monday, November 17, 2025
2026 Dates
TBD
If you have questions regarding registration or travel logistics, please contact Valeria Glenn at vglenn@uabmc.edu.
Who Should Attend
This specific course is targeted for Medical Physics residents and Radiation Oncology residents and is offered at no cost other than travel expenses and incidentals. This course is for US-based Medical Physics or Radiation Oncology medical residents only.
Duration and Location
This course is a one-day course hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Radiation Oncology at the Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center in Birmingham, Alabama.
Course Content
Course content is taught by a multidisciplinary team from UAB, including subspecialty surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists. The content is specifically focused on the treatment of CNS and spinal tumors, and there is some opportunity to have clinical exposure to other SBRT sites including lung, liver, and prostate. The course is a complete “how to” with didactic, laboratory, and clinical demonstrations for advanced therapies with TrueBeam including:
- Commissioning and QA
- Simulation with frameless systems
- RapidArc and HyperArc Radiosurgery
- High Intensity Mode (flattening filter free @2400 MU/min)
- Clinical implementation of advanced procedures in brain and spine
The course includes laboratory experiences that mimic the clinical process, contouring, and treatment planning. If you have questions about the course content, please contact Dr. John Fiveash at (205) 975-0224 or jfiveash@uabmc.edu.
Fees
NO Tuition cost. Includes course material. Travel and lodging is NOT included. Participants are responsible for all travel expenses and incidentals.
Goals
To increase the clinical understanding, preparedness and uptake of SRS and SBRT on Varian’s HyperArc™ platform across the user community, by creating a taught environment where existing best practice can be shared and replicated.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Training Course, it is intended that course participants will:
- Understand the rationale, clinical advantages, and risks associated with SRS/SBRT
- Have a clear view of a typical SRS/SBRT clinical workflow, including: selection of patient, pre-planning considerations, patient immobilization, imaging and motion management, SRS/SBRT treatment planning with IMRS/VMAT, QA checks, treatment delivery and follow-up
- Know the clinical basis for using SRS/SBRT for the clinical disease sites presented by University of Alabama at Birmingham during the clinical school
- Understand the salient differences between frame-based and frameless treatments
- Understand the salient differences between conical applicator and IMRS/VMAT approaches
- Know how to evaluate SRS/SBRT treatment plans with reference to the technical and clinical guidelines used by University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Have been given opportunities to understand, with hands-on experience where feasible, the processes associated with immobilization of the patient, and localization of the tumor used at University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Have been shown all of the functionality within HyperArc™ which is of clinical relevance to SRS/SBRT treatments at University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Have hands-on experience of setting-up and delivering an SRS/SBRT test plan on the HyperArc™ platform
- Have witnessed the delivery of both SRS and SBRT plans to a patient, or in cases where this is not possible, to a phantom
- Know the relevant physics commissioning and routine QA procedures necessary to safely implement SRS/SBRT treatments
- Have had ample opportunity to ask questions of the local hosts at University of Alabama at Birmingham
NOTE: Technical product training on HyperArc™ by Varian will not be included as part of this clinical school.
Enrollment
Maximum enrollment – 8
Cancellation policy
Please provide us with a 40-day written notice should you wish to cancel. Cancellations should be sent via email to Valeria Glenn.
In the event UAB must reschedule the course, we will work with you to reschedule at a later date.
Lodging
Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown
Telephone: 205.254.0004
Steps away from UAB. Attached to the Sky Lobby of the 4th Avenue Parking Deck and the North Pavilion.
Website
Marriott SpringHill Suites
Telephone: 205.322.8600
Miles from UAB: 0.4
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Residence Inn by Marriott – Downtown UAB
Telephone:205.732.9595
Miles from UAB: 0.5
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Renaissance Birmingham - Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa
Telephone:205.916.7677
Miles from UAB: 10.8
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The Westin Birmingham
Telephone:205.307.3600
Miles from UAB:1.8
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