The first class of Proton-certified radiation therapists (RTTs) have graduated fromIvy Tech Community College-Bloomington and received their certificates of completion at the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City.

Proton therapy is an alternative to x-ray radiation for cancer treatment. It is designed to avoid beaming radiation into healthy tissue and decrease radiation side effects.

The Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington program is the nation’s first proton therapy certificate program and operates as part of the college’s Radiation Therapy Program.

“Our relationship with Ivy Tech has been very rewarding,” said Niek Schreuder, senior vice president of technology and medical physics at ProCure in the press release.

The advanced proton certificate program provides 16 college credits or the equivalent of two years of continuing education (CE) credits from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Aside from the Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma, ProCure is developing new facilities in suburban Chicago, Detroit, South Florida, Seattle and Somerset, New Jersey.

To learn more, visit www.procure.comorIvy Tech Community College at www.ivytech.edu.