About Us

Doctor at white board

The Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Sciences at Johns Hopkins is dedicated to patient-centered, specialized care. Our multidisciplinary teams encompasses radiation oncologists, dosimetrists (experts who calculate the dose of radiation), medical physicists, radiation oncology nurses and radiation therapists who work cooperatively to provide the most advanced treatment options specific to each patient’s disease. 

Our approach includes:

  • Subspecialized experience – Our teams have subspecialized training and expertise to fight individual cancers.
  • Patient safety – Our patient safety program—cited as one of the best in the nation—employs quality assurance protocols and innovative techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of all patients. Our team takes extra care to treat cancer cells while sparing neighboring healthy tissues. Multiple safety checks are built into every step of care to ensure treatment plans are accurate and effective. A dedicated safety committee actively reviews and studies all clinical processes. In addition, teams integrate safety techniques developed at Johns Hopkins such as checklists and case reviews.
  • Individualized plans – Each patient who comes to Johns Hopkins can expect individualized treatment plans and comprehensive consultations that answer every question.
  • Clinical trials – Clinical trials are offered to patients to provide them with unique access to specialized care. Through these trials, our team continuously develops and improves upon radiation oncology approaches to cancer treatment.
  • Multidisciplinary clinics – Radiation oncologists are pleased to work side by side with other clinical specialists in medical and surgical oncology, pathology and interventional radiology in a number of multidisciplinary cancer clinics for those with breast, head and neck, lung, pancreas, prostate and other cancers.
  • Research – Researchers in Radiation Oncology develop studies to examine how radiation and medical physics can be made even more effective and better targeted to treat cancers. 
  • Proton Therapy  – The  new Johns Hopkins National Proton Therapy Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital is built upon a long and rich tradition of excellence in radiation oncology, bringing nearly a half-century of cancer discover and clinical progress to proton therapy. Our new center enhances our mission of curing cancer and changing lives.

Dr. Akila Viswanathan

Akila Viswanathan, discusses her mission to lead radiation oncology at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

Meet Dr. Viswanathan

Why Choose Johns Hopkins

  • Experience Our team has years of experience treating a wide range of cancers. Many of our physicians are nationally recognized for clinical excellence and have participated in the country’s top training programs for cancer treatment.
  • ResearchThrough advanced research, we’re improving treatment outcomes for patients with multiple types of cancer. We have intensified some radiation treatment regimens to increase survival rates and improve patients’ quality of life.
  • Dedicated institutes – Centers like the Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer and the Johns Hopkins Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute bring together experts in multiple departments who are dedicated to particular types of cancer.
  • Accredited radiation centers – All of our radiation oncology centers are accredited by the American Society for Radiation Oncology Accreditation Program for Excellence, for promoting safety and quality in radiation oncology practice.