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On September 28, 2009, more than 75 attendees trekked to Cargese, Corsica, for the Third Autumn School on Therapeutic Ultrasound.  The School was directed by Gail ter Haar, PhD, of the Institute of Cancer Research, and Mathias Fink, PhD, founder of the Institut Langevin in Paris. The organizational heavy lifting was undertaken by two full-time researchers at the Institut Langevin, Jean-François Aubry and Jean-Luc Gennisson, who did an exceptional job of bringing together attendees from 10 countries, including 19 faculty members.  For the students, it was an incomparable opportunity to learn from the leaders in the rapidly emerging field of therapeutic ultrasound.  The lectures began with an introduction to the physics and biophysics to build the foundation for understanding the technical aspects of therapeutic ultrasound, followed by individual lectures on topics ranging from commercial devices for treating prostate cancer to emerging applications for focused ultrasound.  – Joy Polefrone, PhD, FUSF The small town of Cargese, with only 290 inhabitants, allowed all of the sage and budding scientists in this newly emerging field to delve into the current technology, assess new developments as well as systems under development, and freely explore a wide range of biological and engineering challenges to FUS. The setting afforded ample opportunities for participants to meet with faculty while looking out over the cliffs, beaches, and Mediterranean sunsets.  Where or when the next FUS school for scientists will take place is not yet known – France, London, or the USA.  But hopefully it will afford opportunities to delve into many topics and to appraise the latest developments in the field with the same success experienced in Cargese in 2009. – Stanley H. Benedict, PhD, University of Virginia

A dedicated Focused Ultrasound Center with comprehensive research plans The Symposium was opened by James M. Larner, MD, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at UVA, and director of the new Focused Ultrasound Center. “If this technology is half as successful as many people in this audience today would say, a number of other technologies will be disrupted,” Larner said. “But we have no choice but to recognize and help uncover the truth.”

Steve Rusckowski, CEO of Philips Healthcare, was elected to the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation Board of Directors at its meeting on September 14, 2009. The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation is delighted to announce the election of Steve Rusckowski to its Board of Directors. Mr. Rusckowski became the executive vice president and chief executive officer of Philips Healthcare in November, 2006, and has been a member of the Philips Board of Management since April 2007. He was previously CEO of the Imaging Systems business group of Philips Healthcare.

Over 140 attendees assembled for the official Dedication of the UVA Focused Ultrasound Surgery Center on the afternoon of September 14th, at the Jordan Hall conference center of the University of Virginia. Neal F. Kassell, MD, professor of neurosurgery at UVA, and founder and chairman of the Foundation, noted that focused ultrasound is where MRI was 20 years ago. “In the next 10 years, everybody here will have been treated with focused ultrasound or will know someone who has,” Dr. Kassell predicted. “This new technology has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people – each day’s delay translates into unnecessary death and disability.” Leonard W. Sandridge Jr., executive vice president and chief operating officer of UVA, described the initiative as “a perfect example of how difficult tasks require lots of people to come together.” He also commented on Dr. Kassell’s efforts in establishing the new facility. “This center would not have been a reality without Neal Kassell’s vision and dogged persistence,” he said. Mr. Sandridge then expressed appreciation to the Commonwealth of Virginia for their $4 million support, and anticipated a gradual move of the use of FUS from the lab to the bedside. “Ultimately, the patients are what this is all about. They will be aided in ways that are less intrusive and this will become the standard of care.” The HonorableWilliam J. Howell, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, reflected on Dr. Kassell’s dedication to medicine and the well-being of his patients. “The Commonwealth is honored to be a partner in this exciting new exercise,” he added. Sharon L. Hostler, MD, senior associate dean and vice provost for faculty development, UVA, noted that the new Center will enable UVA to recruit and train the best and brigh students and to attract and retain star faculty. National and international researchers are ready to work collegially with UVA, she remarked, in a truly collaborative effort. “In the next 10 years, everybody here will have been treated with focused ultrasound or will know someone who has.” Neal F. Kassell, MD James Larner, MD, director of the new Center, closed the dedication program with an overview of the research program that’s planned. He also reflected on some of the medical advances he’s witnessed during his 20 years at UVA: “The gamma knife has come in, lithotripsy for kidney stones, the CT scan, the da Vinci for prostate surgery,” he recalled. “But none of these has the breadth of potential that focused ultrasound does.”