Ingham Institute boss snags top gong for cancer treatment evolution
Back when Michael Barton was entering the medical profession, all he wanted to do was pass his exams. He received a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists award this month.
Southwest
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Back when Michael Barton was entering the medical profession, all he wanted to do was pass his exams.
Today, he is the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research director, with 32 years of experience. And he’s part of a project that is anticipated to evolve cancer treatment — the MR-Linac.
He received a Gold Medal award from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists at its annual ceremony in Adelaide last month.
The gong isn’t given out every year, with less than 30 handed out since its inception in 1969.
He was honoured for improving radiotherapy services and treatment for cancer.
The MR-Linac machine is housed in Australia’s largest medical research bunker at Liverpool Hospital.
It joins a MRI machine with a linear accelerator.
Once successful, the machine is expected to improve cancer survival and reduce the side effects from radiation therapy, leading to better quality of life.
When Professor Barton started in the industry, cancer survival rate was about 42 per cent. It is now around 67 per cent.
“I’ve always been interested in the big picture and research,” he said.
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