Henry Ford Allegiance Health First in Michigan with Personalized Adaptive Cancer Treatment

JACKSON, MI – Henry Ford Allegiance Health is advancing radiation treatment for cancer patients in south central Michigan and beyond with the Varian Ethos™ therapy system. Driven by artificial intelligence technology, the system provides a real-time view of a patient’s anatomy and allows the radiation dosage to be adapted in real time to continuous variations in the shape and positioning of the individual’s tumor and normal tissues. Ethos is an advanced software update to the state-of the-art Halcyon linear accelerator, which Henry Ford Allegiance Health was the first in Michigan to use in December 2019. The personalized targeting capability of Ethos helps improve overall outcomes and reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissue.

“We are the first hospital in Michigan and the fifth in the United States to offer the combined Halcyon technology and Ethos adaptive therapy, which increases the capability, flexibility and efficiency of radiation treatment. It delivers radiation doses more quickly while enhancing precision and safety,” said Annette Kretzler, M.D., Medical Director Henry Ford Allegiance Radiation Oncology.  A radiation treatment session, including the adaptive Ethos option, typically takes just 15 minutes.

“Henry Ford Allegiance Health is on the leading edge of radiation treatment. Adaptive radiation therapy transforms our ability to fight cancer by personalizing radiation treatments in real time according to changes in each patient’s anatomy and internal organ motion,” said Benjamin Movsas, M.D., Interim Medical Director of Henry Ford Cancer Institute and Chair of its Radiation Oncology Department. “With the addition of this new technology, the Henry Ford Cancer Institute is honored to be one of the only cancer centers in the world to perform both MR-guided adaptive treatment and CT-guided adaptive treatment.”

Henry Ford Allegiance Health plans to establish clinical research to maximize the full potential of this groundbreaking technology.

The combined Halcyon and Ethos system was designed around the particular needs of patients with cancer. Shorter treatment times, combined with the equipment’s comfortable treatment bed, smooth and quiet motion, and soft lighting, contribute to a more relaxing patient experience.

“The acquisition of Ethos and Halcyon reflects Henry Ford Allegiance Health’s commitment to invest in the communities we serve by bringing local access to the best, safest and most personalized cancer care technology available,” said Paula Autry, President and CEO, Henry Ford Allegiance Health and Senior Vice President and CEO, Central Market, Henry Ford Health System.

MEDIA CONTACT: Vicky Lorencen / vlorenc1@hfhs.org / 517-262-8917

About Henry Ford Allegiance Health
Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with primary and community-based to support patients across the health continuum at every stage of life. With its Level II Trauma Center, Henry Ford Allegiance Health provides comprehensive care for severely injured patients. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continually looks to the future with its Center for Health Innovation & Education and Graduate Medical Education program. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs across the region. Visit HenryFord.com/Allegiance to learn more.

About Henry Ford Health System
Founded in 1915 by Henry Ford himself, Henry Ford Health System is a non-profit, integrated health system committed to improving people’s lives through excellence in the science and art of healthcare and healing. Henry Ford Health System includes six hospitals including Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit; Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals; Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital; Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital; Henry Ford Allegiance in Jackson, MI; and Henry Ford Kingwood Hospital – an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

Henry Ford Health System also includes Henry Ford Medical Group: Henry Ford Physician Network; more than 250 outpatient facilities; Henry Ford Pharmacy; Henry Ford OptimEyes; and other healthcare services. Our not-for-profit health plan, Health Alliance Plan – HAP – provides health coverage for more than 540,000 people.

As one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, Henry Ford Health System trains more than 3,000 medical students, residents, and fellows annually in more than 50 accredited programs, and has trained nearly 40% of the state’s physicians. Our dedication to education and research is supported by nearly $100 million in annual grants from the National Institutes of Health and other public and private foundations.

Henry Ford Health System employs more than 33,000 people, including more than 1,600 physicians, more than 6,600 nurses and 5,000 allied health professionals. For more information, go to henryford.com.