Proton Therapy Proven to Improve Survival in Head and Neck Cancer
A Historic Moment for Proton Therapy: Lancet Study Confirms Survival Benefit for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
January 2, 2026
You are more than a patient.
You are a whole person.
At Ackerman, we see beyond your diagnosis – we see you.
At Ackerman Cancer Center, patients can feel confident in the expertise and compassion of our care team. We provide a range of advanced radiation treatments, including conventional radiation therapy and proton therapy, a highly precise option designed to reduce side effects and improve quality of life.
Our commitment to care extends well beyond treatment. We work in partnership with referring physicians and other specialists to deliver comprehensive care. Most importantly, we build lasting relationships with our patients and continue to support their health and well-being throughout every stage of their journey.
We are proud to offer Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI), Electron Therapy, Medical Linear Accelerators, External Beam Radiation Therapy, GammaTile, High Dose Rate Brachytherapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), I-131 Therapy, Proton Therapy, Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT).
Ackerman Cancer Center is the world’s first private practice offering proton beam technology. Our board-certified radiation oncologists use this advanced technology to precisely target tumors, minimizing side effects and limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Click below to read about the proven benefits of proton therapy.
A prostate cancer diagnosis requires a dedicated team and access to the most advanced treatment options, including proton therapy. At Ackerman Cancer Center, we provide comprehensive screening, diagnostic, and treatment services to ensure each patient receives the highest level of personalized care.
Ranked among the top three cancer treatment centers in Jacksonville, driven by exceptional Google reviews from grateful patients.
Awarded the Best of Florida distinction in the top Physician Practice category, reflecting votes from patients and referring providers.
Vice President of Operations, Gigi Ackerman Schwartz, MBA, named top 40 Under 40 leader
Clinic Manager Vivienne Bennett, MS, RT (R) (M) received the Sister de Sales Award for Outstanding Practice Administrator
Ackerman Cancer Center, Amelia Island, is honored to be recognized as the 2025 Health & Wellness Business of the Year by the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce. This award reflects our team’s commitment to providing exceptional cancer care, advancing wellness in our community, and supporting every patient with compassion and excellence.
A Historic Moment for Proton Therapy: Lancet Study Confirms Survival Benefit for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
At Ackerman Cancer Center, we see every day how much caregivers give of themselves.
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, emphasizing education, prevention, and early detection.
Nelson Miksys joined Ackerman Cancer Center in October 2019. As chief medical physicist, Nelson manages the medical physics department, which is responsible for
quality assurance of all patient treatment plans, calibration of the radiation therapy equipment, maintenance of the radiation safety program, integration of new technology
into the clinic, and providing clinical technical support across all aspects of the cancer center. Nelson has over ten years of experience as a medical physicist and comes to Ackerman Cancer Center from The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre (Ottawa, Canada). Nelson has a PhD in medical physics from Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) and a
master’s degree in medical and health physics from McMaster University (Hamilton,
Canada). Outside of work, Nelson is actively involved in his children’s sports activities and community social events and is passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular physical fitness and outdoor activities.
Rob Tokarz joined Ackerman Cancer Center in January 2014 and oversees the Physics, Dosimetry, Therapy, Imaging, IT, and Transcription departments. He holds a Bachelor of Science in physics from Notre Dame and a Master of Science in medical physics from Columbia University. Rob has worked in the field of medical physics for 25 years and has worked previously at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Prior to his career in medical physics, Rob was an officer in the United States Navy, where he attained the rank of lieutenant commander. As a naval aviator, he flew Seahawk
helicopters out of Naval Station Mayport and was stationed overseas in Bahrain.
Gigi Ackerman Schwartz joined Ackerman Cancer Center in November 2020 and leads strategic planning initiatives across all departments, directs all aspects of revenue cycle management, and works to develop and maintain relationships with community partners. Gigi holds an MBA from Tulane University. A Jacksonville native, she is involved in several local charitable and civic organizations. She serves as chair of the Art in Public Places Committee for the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, is a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet, and is a trustee of the Jewish Community Alliance and Jacksonville Jewish Center. In her free time, Gigi enjoys playing mahjong, exploring new hobbies with friends, and spending time with her husband and two-year-old daughter.
