ROANOKE, Va. — Carilion Clinic and Mevion Medical Systems have announced a partnership to introduce advanced proton therapy at the new Carilion Taubman Cancer Center, a major regional cancer care facility now under construction in Roanoke.
The seven-story center, scheduled to open in 2028, is expected to reshape cancer treatment across Southwest Virginia by integrating cutting-edge therapies, research, and clinical education in a single location. When operational, the facility will bring proton therapy to the region for the first time, making Carilion one of only three health systems in Virginia to offer this advanced treatment. Proton therapy delivers highly precise radiation that spares surrounding healthy tissue, reducing side effects for both adult and pediatric patients.
A central feature of the new center will be the MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System, a compact, single-room solution designed to make world-class proton therapy accessible for regional cancer programs. The system incorporates HYPERSCAN Pencil Beam Scanning and the Adaptive Aperture multi-leaf collimator to deliver one of the most conformal proton doses available, while maintaining a streamlined footprint that lowers cost and treatment complexity.
“This system allows us to deliver treatment directly to tumors while protecting healthy tissue much more effectively,” said David Buck, MD, Medical Director, Radiation Oncology at Carilion. “It’s a major advancement for patient care, especially in complex cases.”
“Proton therapy represents the next frontier in precision cancer treatment,” said Mike Abbott, President of Carilion Medical Center. “With this technology, our patients will have access to the most advanced cancer treatments close to home—right here in Southwest Virginia.”
Tina Yu, Ph.D., CEO and President of Mevion Medical Systems, said the collaboration reflects the shared priorities of both organizations. “Carilion’s leadership and commitment to expanding cancer care access perfectly align with Mevion’s mission to make proton therapy more compact, affordable, and accessible,” she said. “Together, we’re ensuring that patients throughout the region benefit from the most advanced radiation treatment technology available.”
Carilion Clinic and Mevion describe the project as a significant step toward expanding high-precision cancer treatment for patients and communities throughout the region.
