CT’s 1st Proton Therapy Center Opens In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — The opening of Connecticut’s first proton beam therapy center was celebrated Tuesday in Wallingford.

The Connecticut Proton Center is the result of an “unprecedented collaboration” between Hartford HealthCare, Yale New Haven Health and Proton International, according to officials.

Located at 932 Northrop Road in Wallingford, the 25,000-square-foot facility will “provide one of the world's most advanced forms of radiation therapy, allowing patients to receive highly targeted cancer treatment while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue,” according to a news release.

Yale Medicine and Radiation Oncology, PC will provide clinical leadership for the center.

“The Connecticut Proton Center combines the clinical expertise, scientific leadership and shared vision of our organizations to deliver an important new capability for patients throughout the region,” said Pamela Sutton-Wallace, acting CEO, Yale New Haven Health. “It reinforces Connecticut's role as a leader in healthcare innovation and demonstrates our collective commitment to shaping the future of cancer care. Healthcare's greatest opportunities are realized when institutions work together to address the needs of the communities they serve.”

Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, said the opening represents a transformative moment for patients throughout Connecticut and the Northeast.

“Today marks a defining milestone for cancer care in Connecticut,” Flaks said. “Through this extraordinary partnership with Yale New Haven Health and Proton International, we are expanding access to one of the world's most advanced cancer treatments, right here at home. The Connecticut Proton Center reflects what's possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to innovation, clinical excellence and, most importantly, better outcomes for patients. Together, we are making Connecticut a destination for world-class cancer care.”

Read more from the news release below:

What the Connecticut Proton Center Will Offer

The Connecticut Proton Center is equipped with the latest proton beam therapy technology, delivering highly precise radiation that targets tumors while reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. This precision can lessen side effects, preserve quality of life and improve long-term outcomes for many patients.

Proton therapy is used to treat a wide range of cancers, including tumors affecting the brain and central nervous system, eye, head and neck, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, prostate, spine and breast. It is especially beneficial for pediatric patients because it helps minimize radiation exposure to developing tissues.

Chris Chandler, CEO of Proton International, said the center represents a significant advancement in access to life-changing cancer care.

“The opening of the Connecticut Proton Center represents years of collaboration and a shared vision to bring the latest advancements in cancer treatment closer to patients. We are proud to partner with Hartford HealthCare and Yale New Haven Health to deliver world-class proton therapy that will benefit patients across Connecticut and throughout the region.”

The Connecticut Proton Center includes a state-of-the-art treatment room, control room, patient exam rooms and clinical space designed to deliver a seamless patient experience. The facility will be staffed by physicians and colleagues from Yale New Haven Health and Hartford HealthCare.

Proton International served as the project manager and technology partner for the facility, overseeing development, construction and operational readiness.

What Is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses high-energy proton beams to precisely target cancerous tumors. Unlike conventional X-ray radiation, proton therapy allows clinicians to better control where radiation is delivered, reducing exposure to healthy organs and tissue beyond the tumor.

This precision enables physicians to safely deliver higher doses of radiation directly to cancer while minimizing side effects and reducing the risk of long-term complications.

For more information about the Connecticut Proton Center, visit here.