Dr. Seth Blacksburg Joins Accuray as VP, Chief Medical Officer Americas Region

Rhea-AI Summary

Accuray Incorporated (NASDAQ: ARAY) appointed Seth Blacksburg, M.D., MBA as the vice president and chief medical officer for the Americas on Sept. 14, 2022. Dr. Blacksburg will lead strategic clinical insights to enhance commercial growth in North and South America. He brings extensive expertise in radiation oncology and has a history of improving patient care while achieving hospital economic goals. Prior to Accuray, he led radiation medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, achieving significant departmental growth. His appointment aims to expand access to Accuray's innovative radiation therapy solutions.

Positive

• Appointment of Seth Blacksburg brings strategic clinical insights and real-world experience.
• Dr. Blacksburg's expertise may enhance growth in the Americas region.
• His background in radiation oncology can help improve patient care and hospital economic performance.

Negative

• None.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Accuray Incorporated (NASDAQ: ARAY) announced today that Seth Blacksburg, M.D., MBA has joined the company as vice president, chief medical officer for the Americas (North and South America) region. Dr. Blacksburg will be responsible for bringing the strategic clinical insights, real-world experience and voice of the customer necessary to help drive the continued commercial growth of the region. He will report to Mike Leischer, Accuray president and general manager for the Americas region.

"On behalf of Accuray, and particularly the Americas region, I welcome Seth to the team! He has a unique background - combining medicine, business and analytics - that has enabled him to substantially improve the care of his patients while achieving the economic goals of the hospitals at which he has worked," said Mike Leischer, president and general manager of the Americas region. "Seth's experience and guidance will help the Americas team to fine-tune our strategic approach and to build and maintain relationships that will ultimately benefit patients. We look forward to partnering with him to expand access to our one-of-a-kind radiation therapy solutions."

Dr. Blacksburg is a board-certified radiation oncologist who earned a master of business administration degree while concurrently completing his medical studies. He is highly skilled in all facets of radiation oncology, with expertise in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and radiosurgery for prostate cancer, breast cancer, CNS cancers, and other tumor sites, LDR and HDR brachytherapy, and integrating radiation with immunotherapy.

Prior to joining Accuray, Dr. Blacksburg was chairman of radiation medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, a part of Northwell Health, the largest private employer in New York (state). Dr. Blacksburg was responsible for the clinical oversight and strategic development of the department. He also served as a key member of the hospital's cancer committee, medical board and national accreditation programs for breast and rectal cancers. During Dr. Blacksburg's tenure with the Lenox Hill cancer program, the cancer program achieved Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation and the department patient volume increased significantly. 

A nationally renowned expert on prostate and pelvic malignancies, Dr. Blacksburg was the co-host of a popular regional radio show, "Hanging Out:  Men's Health Radio," on 710 WOR and iHeart radio. He is also the co-course director and a moderator for the internationally-attended annual SBRT For Prostate Cancer course. Dr. Blacksburg is considered a thought leader in medical informatics for which he was been a reviewer for the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) since 2014. 

"During my tenure as an oncologist, I've focused on identifying emerging and state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology and techniques and implementing those that advance personalized cancer care into clinical practice. My experience with the Accuray CyberKnife^® System – a key example – and the pivotal role I believe it can play within a radiation therapy department are a couple of the reasons I decided to join the company," said Seth Blacksburg, M.D., MBA, vice president and chief medical officer Americas region at Accuray.

He continued, "I think there are many clinicians who are unaware of the extensive benefits offered by radiation treatments delivered with the CyberKnife or Accuray Radixact^® Systems. I've loved caring for my patients and will remain an active radiation oncologist. Through this new opportunity with Accuray and the innovative technology they offer, I am grateful for the chance to broaden the impact I can have on patients' lives."

About Accuray

Accuray is committed to expanding the powerful potential of radiation therapy to improve as many lives as possible. We invent unique, market-changing solutions that are designed to deliver radiation treatments for even the most complex cases—while making commonly treatable cases even easier—to meet the full spectrum of patient needs. We are dedicated to continuous innovation in radiation therapy for oncology, neuro-radiosurgery, and beyond, as we partner with clinicians and administrators, empowering them to help patients get back to their lives, faster. Accuray is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with facilities worldwide. To learn more, visit www.accuray.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate, but are not limited to, expectations related to the company's strategic approach as well as its ability to build and maintain relationships and expand access to the company's solutions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to the current global economic environment; the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations of the company and those of its customers and suppliers; disruptions to the company's supply chain; the company's ability to achieve widespread market acceptance of its products; the company's ability to develop new products or enhance existing products to meet customers' needs and compete favorably in the market; the company's ability to realize the expected benefits of the China joint venture and other partnerships; the company's ability to effectively manage its growth; the company's ability to maintain or increase its gross margins on product sales and services; the company's ability to meet the covenants under its credit facilities; the company's ability to convert backlog to revenue; and such other risks identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on August 17, 2022 and as updated periodically with the company's other filings with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available to the company at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, investors should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
Beth Kaplan                                                    
Accuray
+1 (408) 789-4426                                       
bkaplan@accuray.com

Investor Contact
Aman Patel, CFA
Investor Relations, ICR-Westwicke
+1 (443) 450-4191
aman.patel@westwicke.com 

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SOURCE Accuray Incorporated

FAQ

Who is the new vice president and chief medical officer for Accuray?

Seth Blacksburg, M.D., MBA has been appointed as the vice president and chief medical officer for the Americas region.

What is the significance of Dr. Blacksburg's appointment for Accuray (ARAY)?

Dr. Blacksburg's appointment aims to leverage his expertise to drive commercial growth and enhance patient care in the Americas.

What is Dr. Seth Blacksburg's professional background?

Dr. Blacksburg is a board-certified radiation oncologist with experience in radiation therapy, having previously led the radiation medicine department at Lenox Hill Hospital.

When was the announcement made about Dr. Blacksburg joining Accuray?

The announcement was made on September 14, 2022.