Scripps Clinic Physician to Receive Cancer Society's Highest Honor

Working with physicists and cardiologists in the late 1990s, Dr. Tripuraneni developed the methodology, dosimetry and dose prescription for endovascular brachytherapy to avoid coronary restenosis. Restenosis is a common problem after angioplasty, when the blood vessels can become blocked again. Dr. Tripuraneni and colleagues pioneered techniques to irradiate the stent to prevent tissue from growing and blocking it again. This technique was published in 1977 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Tripuraneni is currently conducting research on the safety and quality of radiation therapy. He has authored more than 40 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals on the topic of vascular brachytherapy.

In addition to his clinical expertise and accomplishments, Dr. Tripuraneni has played an integral role in expanding ASTRO’s services and support to its members and the radiation oncology field. He was a key player in creating the ASTRO Fellows designation, which honors active ASTRO membership of at least 15 years and commendable service to ASTRO and the field of radiation oncology. He also organized Integrating the Healthcare Environment-Radiation Oncology (IHE-RO), an initiative that works to improve the sharing of information among the various computer systems and software utilized in radiation oncology practices. And he continues to provide guidance and leadership for ASTRO’s new practice accreditation program.

His additional efforts include launching the initial ASTRO.org website in 1998 and serving as editor of ASTROnews, the society’s quarterly member magazine. He also launched the first Radiation Oncology Inter-Society meeting in 2007, and organized the first eContouring sessions at ASTRO’s 2005 annual meeting.

“I am honored to receive ASTRO’s Gold Medal and to be recognized by my peers. In many ways, I share this honor with numerous colleagues at Scripps Clinic, whose time, energy and skill has contributed to the betterment of radiation oncology,” said Dr. Tripuraneni.

Joining Dr. Tripuraneni in receiving a 2013 ASTRO Gold Medal will be Amato J. Giaccia, Ph.D., director of the Stanford Cancer Biology Training Program, and Radhe Mohan, Ph.D., a professor of radiation physics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

ASTRO Gold Medal candidates must be nominated by one active member of ASTRO and receive letters of support from two additional active members, detailing the nominee’s impact on the advancement of radiation oncology. Nominees may be from any of the scientific disciplines represented in ASTRO, including radiation oncology, biology and physics.

Scripps Health is a nationally recognized leader in cancer care, providing comprehensive care at its four hospitals and various outpatient locations. Scripps seeks to provide the best possible treatment and cutting-edge research trials for patients by coordinating medical expertise in the areas of clinical cancer care, community outreach and clinical, translational and basic research.

Scripps is the only public cancer care provider in San Diego to earn network accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. The Scripps Radiation Therapy Center has earned accreditation in radiation therapy from the ASTRO and the American College of Radiology. Scripps Polster Breast Care Center at Scripps La Jolla and the Breast Care Center at Scripps Green Hospital have earned accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancer Centers.

Learn more about Scripps Health, a nonprofit integrated health system in San Diego, Calif.