MU Health Care is one of four designated centers in Missouri

MU Health Care has been designated a Clinical Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), a national recognition awarded to health care organizations that demonstrate the expertise, personnel, equipment and experience needed to provide advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies.

The designation affirms that MU Health Care meets rigorous standards established by SNMMI and has been vetted by experts in radiopharmaceutical therapy. Clinical Centers of Excellence have experience administering multiple radiopharmaceutical therapies and feature highly trained care teams that include doctors certified in nuclear medicine and certified nuclear medicine technologists.  

MU Health Care is among a select group of organizations nationwide to receive the designation and is one of only four designated centers in Missouri.

Radiopharmaceutical therapies, sometimes known as theranostics, use targeted radioactive drugs to diagnose and treat diseases, including certain types of cancer. These therapies deliver radiation directly to cancer cells while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

“This designation reflects MU Health Care's commitment to providing patients with access to some of the most advanced and innovative cancer treatments available today,” said Talissa Altes, MD, chair of radiology at MU Health Care and the University of Missouri School of Medicine. “Being recognized by SNMMI validates the expertise of our multidisciplinary team and demonstrates our ability to provide comprehensive, patient-centered radiopharmaceutical therapy close to home for patients throughout mid-Missouri and beyond.”

The recognition also highlights the unique collaboration between MU Health Care and the MU Research Reactor (MURR), one of the world's leading producers of medical isotopes used in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“The partnership between MU Health Care and MURR creates a powerful advantage for patients,” said Matthew Sanford, MURR executive director. “As demand for radiopharmaceutical therapies continues to grow, our ability to support isotope production, research and clinical care in one integrated environment positions us to help shape the future of precision medicine and cancer treatment.”

According to SNMMI, designated Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Centers of Excellence provide patients, families, referring physicians and payors with assurance that they meet established qualifications, experience and performance criteria for delivering high-quality radiopharmaceutical therapies.  

The designation is valid for two years.

For more information about radiopharmaceutical therapy services at MU Health Care, visit muhealth.org/theranostics.

Contact: Eric Maze, mazee@health.missouri.edu, (573) 884-3656