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This summer, UVA hosted its first Focused Ultrasound Innovation Summit to discuss and celebrate the past and future impact of the ever-developing technology.

Focused Ultrasound(FUS) is a non-invasive technology that harnesses soundwaves for a variety of novel medical uses such as neurological treatment of Parkinson’s disease — as well as treatment of uterine fibroids, bone metastases, and recently, liver tumors with the innovative cancer therapy histotripsy.

The event at Contemplative Commons in Charlottesville, Virginia, brought together 200 scientists, clinicians, and administrative leadership to share exciting discoveries, innovations, new clinical programs, and thoughts related to FUS and its potential to improve the human condition.

Patients and UVA Health physicians exchanged perspectives about the non-invasive technology that does not use radiation. FUS is coupled with imaging guidance which allows for precise targeting of its desired effect within the body — working through several mechanisms so many types of disorders (e.g., substance abuse or neurodegenerative) and diseases (e.g., cancers and uterine fibroids), might be targeted and treated precisely.

The summit demonstrated the broad depth of knowledge, skills, expertise, and technology at UVA and generated more excitement around what’s next in the advancement of science, technology, and applications of FUS in healthcare.

At the event: a conversation between UVA Health intervention radiologist Daniel Sheeran, MD, and WNBA Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Pamela McGee (above, center) who spoke about her experience receiving focused ultrasound, and encouraging others to learn more about the technology. McGee also shared her story with NBC 29 and CBS 19, expressing gratitude for the outstanding care she received.

Since the beginning, UVA has remained on the cutting-edge of focused ultrasound. UVA Focused Ultrasound Center, which organized this summit with support from the Charlottesville-based Focused Ultrasound Foundation, was founded in 2009 as the world's first designated FUS Center for Excellence. Now, many other potential applications are being studied and in various stages of development.

The summit’s planning committee included Co-chairs and UVA faculty Natasha Sheybani, PhD, and Shayan Moosa, PhD (above, speaking) — as well as Lauren Hadley, MD, MBA — and UVA Health interventional radiologist Alan Matsumoto, MD, MA; Richard Price, PhD; Colleen Duffy; and Holland Hersey.