#United States #New York #NYU Langone #Perlmutter Cancer Center #Sean L. Berry

Sean L. Berry Takes on New Role at NYU Langone

In a significant appointment, NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center has announced Sean L. Berry, PhD, as its new vice chair of physics and dosimetry, specifically within the Department of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Berry, renowned for his extensive knowledge and experience in the field, brings more than two decades of expertise in radiation oncology physics, which includes treatment planning, quality assurance, clinical operations, safety protocols, and innovation strategies.

Dr. Berry will be pivotal in promoting advancements in radiation oncology physics and dosimetry, essential for enhancing patient care while ensuring innovative approaches to education and program growth. His collaboration with radiation oncologists is expected to ensure that radiation doses are administered with utmost accuracy and precision, pivotal for effective treatment plans.

Dr. Anirban Maitra, MD, the director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center, praised Dr. Berry's accomplishments and forward-thinking leadership in medical physics. He emphasized that Dr. Berry's wealth of experience will be crucial in fortifying the center's physics and dosimetry programs, especially as they strive to adopt advanced technologies and broaden access to top-tier cancer care.

Before this appointment, Dr. Berry served as the regional lead physicist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he oversaw clinical operations within various outpatient radiation oncology sites in New York and New Jersey. His responsibilities included not only supervising physicists and dosimetrists but also managing regulatory compliance, accreditation processes, and budget oversight, adding to his significant clinical and administrative leadership.

“Dr. Berry has a rare blend of technical knowledge, operational leadership, and a solid commitment to quality,” remarked Daniel R. Gomez, MD, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at NYU Langone. “His past successes in creating systems that enhance efficiency and safety in radiotherapy delivery will undoubtedly contribute greatly to our objectives in clinical, research, and educational realms.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Berry has honed his skills in various facets of external beam treatment planning, including advanced techniques like Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). His efforts have also encompassed the development of automation tools aimed at improving treatment quality and patient safety.

In addition to his technical capacities, Dr. Berry is deeply committed to education. He has been an adjunct professor at Columbia University since 2021, contributing to the CAMPEP medical physics curriculum and aiding in program administration. Over the years, his dedication to teaching has not gone unnoticed, earning him several accolades, including the Educator of the Year Award from the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology.

Dr. Berry expressed enthusiasm about his new role, citing the growth of NYU Langone’s Department of Radiation Oncology and the wealth of cutting-edge technologies available for research and development. He looks forward to being part of an environment that is focused on leadership, clinical excellence, and innovative practices.

Dr. Berry holds board certification in therapeutic medical physics from the American Board of Radiology and is recognized in New York as a licensed medical physicist. His involvement extends to various professional organizations such as the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the American Society for Radiation Oncology, where he plays leadership roles dedicated to education, treatment planning, and quality assessment.

He obtained his PhD and MS in medical physics from Columbia University, following a summa cum laude achievement in physics with a BS from Canisius College.

This new appointment signals a pivotal moment for the Perlmutter Cancer Center as it enhances its capabilities in patient care through innovative practices under Dr. Berry’s leadership.