The National Association of Proton Therapy (NAPT) has hired Scott Warwick to lead the organization as its executive director.

Warwick, who was chosen by the NAPT executive committee and board of directors following a nationwide search, brings to the role more than 20 years of experience working on the state and regional levels.

“Since my involvement in early 2010 with the development and operation of the first proton therapy center in the state of Tennessee, I've been working to increase awareness about the clinical benefits of proton therapy and to improve access for more cancer patients to this advanced cancer therapy,” Warwick told HCB News. “Most of these efforts were performed on a state or regional level. When the opportunity was presented to work with many of the country's leading cancer centers to tackle these initiatives on a national level, I saw it as a chance to help a greater number of cancer patients throughout the United States.”

Through his career, much of Warwick’s work has been concentrated in the fields of comprehensive cancer centers, radiation oncology operations and program development, including proton therapy. He has developed a range of skills that go beyond the clinical and business aspects of health care in areas such as research, government affairs and payor relations.

He most recently served as the vice president of strategic initiatives and program development at Provision Healthcare in Tennessee from 2014 to 2017, having initially worked from 2010 to 2013 as the vice president of Clinical Operations for the company’s Provision Proton Therapy Center, the development of which he was heavily involved in. He also oversaw the progression of federal and state government programs, including the advancement of six bills in the Tennessee house and senate.

Other accomplishments include leading in the development of a comprehensive cancer center campus with a tertiary hospital, and integrating cancer programs of one of the largest health system mergers in the southeastern U.S. between St. Mary’s Health System and Baptist Health System of East Tennessee.

Warwick plans to address many challenges in the proton therapy industry, including the “lack of awareness” about its clinical benefits and “limited access” to proton therapy, which he says is not regionally accessible for 70 percent of the U.S. population.

“My main goal as the new executive director is continue to build upon the great work the association has accomplished by working directly with our physician and business leaders to continue to carry out the association's mission, which is to raise awareness of the therapeutic benefits of proton therapy among patients, providers, payors, policymakers, and other stakeholders; ensure patient choice and access to affordable proton therapy; and to encourage cooperative research and innovation to advance the appropriate and cost-effective utilization of proton therapy,” he said.

Warwick officially began working as the NAPT executive director in August.

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