Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania, announced April 2 the creation of a new department of radiation oncology, naming Rickhesvar Mahraj, professor of radiology and pediatrics, as its interim chair.

Radiation oncology had previously been a division within the department of radiology but has grown quickly within the Penn State Cancer Institute. A nation-wide search for a department chair is currently underway.

“Elevating radiation oncology to its own department will further empower transformational change across our cancer research, education and patient care missions,” said Craig Hillemeier, MD, dean of Penn State College of Medicine, CEO of Penn State Health and Penn State’s senior vice president for health affairs. “Creating this department goes one step further in ensuring that we can deliver the most advanced cancer diagnostics and treatment in the communities we serve.”

According to the statement, the new department will attract investigators and expand its National Institute of Health funding portfolio. Penn State will develop a residency program in radiation oncology and training programs in medical physics designed to bolster the number of providers at Penn State Health.