Georgia Center Earns Elite Status for Revolutionary Cancer Treatment

ATHENS, Ga. – April 20, 2026 – University Cancer & Blood Center (UCBC) has been recognized as a national leader in a revolutionary form of cancer treatment, earning a prestigious designation that places it among the top oncology programs in the country. The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has named UCBC a Clinical Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence, a distinction held by fewer than 100 institutions across North America.

The honor is a landmark for healthcare in the region. UCBC is the first community-based cancer center in Georgia to receive this specific designation, signaling a significant shift in patient access to cutting-edge therapies that are often confined to large, urban academic hospitals.

For over 40 years, the Athens-based practice has been a cornerstone of cancer care in Northeast Georgia. This national recognition solidifies its position not just as a local provider, but as a destination for one of the most advanced forms of precision oncology available today.

The 'Smart Bomb' Arrives in Northeast Georgia

The designation recognizes UCBC's expertise in delivering radiopharmaceutical therapies, a field often referred to as “theranostics.” The term, a blend of “therapeutics” and “diagnostics,” perfectly describes its dual function: to first see the cancer, and then treat what it sees.

Theranostics works as a two-step, highly personalized process. First, a patient is injected with a diagnostic agent containing a tiny amount of radioactive material. This agent is engineered to seek out and bind to specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. A subsequent PET scan acts like a GPS tracker for the cancer, producing a detailed map that shows the precise location and extent of the disease anywhere in the body. This initial step is critical, as it confirms whether a patient’s specific cancer has the right target for the therapy.

If the scan confirms the target is present, the treatment phase begins. This time, a therapeutic agent is used. It employs the same homing molecule to find the cancer cells, but it is attached to a more powerful radioactive isotope. This “smart bomb” delivers a potent, localized dose of radiation directly to the tumors, destroying them from within while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This targeted approach often results in fewer and milder side effects compared to traditional systemic chemotherapy or external beam radiation.

This technology is transforming the treatment landscape for a growing list of cancers, including prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, thyroid cancer, and certain lymphomas, with ongoing research expanding its potential applications.

A New Standard of Care, Closer to Home

For cancer patients in Northeast Georgia and surrounding rural areas, the availability of this treatment locally is a game-changer. Previously, accessing such specialized care often meant enduring the physical, emotional, and financial strain of traveling to major metropolitan centers like Atlanta. This designation eliminates that barrier for many.

While major hospital systems in Georgia, such as Emory University Hospital—itself a Comprehensive Center of Excellence—offer these therapies, UCBC’s achievement highlights a crucial trend: the decentralization of advanced medical care. By providing theranostics in a community setting, the center makes it possible for patients to receive world-class treatment while remaining close to their homes and support systems.

This improved access can directly enhance a patient's quality of life during a difficult journey, reducing travel time and related expenses while allowing them to maintain a greater sense of normalcy. It represents a tangible step toward making the most advanced medical innovations more equitable and accessible, regardless of a patient's zip code.

Earning a Place Among the Nation's Elite

Achieving the SNMMI Center of Excellence designation is a rigorous process that goes far beyond a simple application. It serves as independent verification that a center meets stringent standards for safety, quality, and clinical experience. To qualify, institutions must demonstrate a high volume of therapy administrations, including at least 40 per year across different types of radiopharmaceutical agents.

The requirements also mandate a highly specialized, multidisciplinary team. This includes having an authorized physician certified by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine or an equivalent body, certified nuclear medicine technologists, and access to a dedicated radiation safety officer. Furthermore, centers must have accredited PET/CT and SPECT/CT imaging equipment and commit to ongoing education and quality improvement projects.

"Being named a Clinical Center of Excellence is something we're truly proud of and places our practice among the very best in the country," said Jamie M. Maurer, CEO of UCBC. "We've got a special team here, and this recognition reflects the care, effort, and teamwork that goes into taking care of our patients every single day. It's an honor to be recognized nationally while continuing to serve our community with the same dedication and high-quality care we have always provided."

The program's success is also credited to the leadership of Director of Radiology Chris Tuttle and Dr. Gordon O. Schoenfeld, a board-certified radiation oncologist whose vision was instrumental in developing the center’s theranostics capabilities.

A New Model for Advanced Oncology

UCBC's achievement is also a powerful testament to the evolving model of community oncology. As a partner practice in the OneOncology network, a national coalition of independent oncology groups, UCBC exemplifies the network’s mission to empower local practices with the resources and technology needed to deliver superior cancer care.

This model challenges the traditional notion that cutting-edge medicine can only thrive in massive, university-affiliated medical centers. By providing a framework of clinical, operational, and technological support, networks like OneOncology enable community-based centers to participate in robust clinical research, adopt advanced therapies like theranostics, and ultimately raise the standard of care for their patients.

This national collaboration allows practices to share knowledge, leverage collective purchasing power, and navigate the complex regulatory and financial landscapes of modern healthcare. For UCBC, this partnership has helped fuel its ability to invest in the infrastructure and expertise required to become a national Center of Excellence, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to the Northeast Georgia community.

With this designation, University Cancer & Blood Center not only brings a new level of hope to its patients but also provides a blueprint for how community oncology can lead the charge in the future of cancer treatment.