Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital > Pediatric Services > Children's Cancer > Radiation Oncology and Proton Therapy > For Providers

Pediatric Proton Therapy - Referring Providers


Transferring Care


At Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital, we strive to provide a seamless transition of care for the patient you are entrusting to us. If your patient is coming to Inova solely for proton therapy, our radiation oncology team will collaborate with you, share their expertise and recommendations, and keep you informed and updated throughout the process. For those patients who will need chemotherapy or other concurrent care, the hematology and oncology team from Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, part of a U.S. News & World Report top 5 pediatric oncology program, are here to provide ongoing care for your patient along with the rest of our team at Inova Schar Cancer Institute.

As a referring provider, you will have no remote obligations while your patient is in our care. Our team is always on call, and we are available to answer questions and provide updates on your patient at any time. Inova Children’s provides a coordinated approach to continuing treatment with world-class experts while patients are in our care.

For those providers on Epic platforms for EHR, we are able to share our care records with you in real time, providing you with access to results and enhancing communication.

To refer your patient to Inova Children’s for proton therapy, please utilize Inova’s Epic CareLink. Inova will handle all insurance logistics.

Please provide the following information:

  • Clinical summary or detailed referral letter
  • Pathology slides (must be sent by overnight delivery)
  • Copies of diagnostic films such as CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and X-rays
  • Surgical reports
  • Lab reports
  • Insurance information, including copies of health plan cards


World-Class Expertise


The pediatric proton therapy program is led by Avani Rao, MD. Dr. Rao joined Radiation Oncology Associates in 2020 and serves as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Program at Inova Schar Cancer Institute.

Dr. Rao completed her undergraduate degree at Yale University, followed by medical school, her internal medicine internship and her radiation oncology residency at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She was nominated to Alpha Omega Alpha during medical school, and during her residency, Dr. Rao served as Chief Resident. She pursued additional fellowship training at the University of Maryland to gain specific expertise in proton therapy. Dr. Rao has received several awards supporting her research and recognizing her clinical excellence and has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles. She is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group and the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology. She also serves as a young investigator with NRG Oncology.

Meet the rest of the pediatric oncology team


Research


We have access to all open proton beam protocols offered through the Northeast Proton Therapy Center, as well as all Children’s Oncology Group trials.

Learn more about pediatric cancer clinical trials at Inova. arrows


Caring for the Whole Family


One of our pediatric oncologists with expertise in your patient’s specific cancer will oversee and coordinate treatment while your patient is in Inova’s care for proton therapy. We will work with you to facilitate lab work, chemotherapy, imaging, or other types of services, procedures and treatments while your patient is away from your patient’s medical home.

Patients who are transferring care for proton therapy will have access to the full resources of the Inova Children’s Cancer Program including psychosocial services, which provide support for your patient’s siblings and entire family.