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Two of Australia's leading cancer specialists have received prestigious international recognition for their expertise in advanced treatments for patients.
Professor Shankar Siva and Icon Group colleague Associate Professor Matthew Foote have been named among the Top Scholars global list of 100 leading experts in stereotactic brain and body radiotherapy.
They are the only Australian clinicians featured on the latest list, with Prof Siva ranked third in the world for the second year in a row, and A/Prof Foote making his debut at number 95.
Icon CEO Mark Middleton said the recognition reflected the exceptional standard of expertise shared across the group's network of more than 350 specialists.
"It's an important endorsement of the quality of expertise and care we bring to our patients," Mr Middleton said.
"Shankar and Matthew are both driving the next generation of precision cancer treatment.
"This recognition simply reinforces the clinical strength we have across our Icon network and the reason patients trust us foremost with their care."
The Top Scholars list highlights the significant contribution of clinicians to the international academic field of stereotactic radiotherapy over the past five years.
"Shankar is a world leader in stereotactic body radiotherapy and is considered an international thought leader in stereotactic body treatment in a range of primary tumours as well as the metastatic setting," Mr Middleton said.
"Matthew is internationally recognised in the management of a benign, malignant and vascular brain and base of skull conditions, and has been instrumental in the establishment of Gamma Knife programs here in Queensland, Australia."
Prof Siva and A/Prof Foote lead two of Icon's flagship stereotactic programs, bringing world-class care to patients through the CyberKnife and Gamma Knife systems respectively.
A/Prof Foote, who is Icon's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, led the clinical delivery of the highly-precise technology at the newly-opened cancer centre located in Brisbane's Herston Private Hospital.
It is the fourth centre in Australia – and the first privately-operated one in Queensland – to offer Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery.
It is already treating patients with highly precise, advanced non-invasive treatments for a wide range of complex brain, skull base and neurological conditions.
Associate Professor Matthew Foote
"It is exciting to provide Queensland patients with more choice and greater access, giving them back more valuable time with their loved ones," A/Prof Foote said.
Mr Middleton also paid tribute to Icon's Dr Mihir Shanker, who has been appointed as the Australian Ambassador for the International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society (ISRS).
"The fact that Mihir has been asked to take on that role shows that not only do we have world leaders in the stereotactic space, but we also have the next generation of talent coming through," he said.
"Our clinicians are taking an active role internationally, and that positions Icon not just locally but as a global leader in stereotactic treatment."
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