UVA School of Medicine Interim Dean and UVA Radiology Professor Colin Derdeyn, MD (left), moderates a panel during the University of Virginia’s inaugural Focused Ultrasound Innovation Summit, held on June 4, 2026 in UVA’s Collaborative Commons.
On June 4, The University of Virginia proudly hosted its inaugural Focused Ultrasound Innovation Summit to discuss and celebrate the past and future impact of the ever-developing technology.
Focused Ultrasound, or FUS, is a non-invasive technology that harnesses soundwaves for a variety of novel medical uses: such as neurological research of Parkinson’s, as well as treatment for uterine fibroids, bone metastases, and recently liver tumors with the innovative cancer therapy Histotripsy.
Pamela McGee, left, during a patient panel with UVA Radiology professor Daniel Sheeran, MD.
At UVA’s Contemplative Commons, experts in FUS gathered to share the latest advances and discuss the vast potential of the technology to shape the future of medicine. A variety UVA researchers and clinicians participated in lectures and panels; one of many highlight events included a conversation between UVA Radiology’s Daniel Sheeran, MD, and WNBA Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Pamela McGee. McGee, a patient and advocate, spoke about her experience receiving focused ultrasound at UVA and encouraged others to learn more about the technology.
One of four moderated panels during UVA’s Focused Ultrasound Innovation Summit.
Since the beginning, UVA has remained on the cutting-edge of focused ultrasound. The UVA Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence, which organized the summit with support from the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, was founded in 2009 and is the first designated FUS Center for Excellence in the world. The research at UVA’s FUS Center prompted the federal Food and Drug Administration to approve the technology to treat Parkinson’s symptoms, essential tremor (a common movement disorder), and other conditions. Meanwhile, UVA Health has also launched the world’s first center devoted specifically to the potential of focused ultrasound to enhance immunotherapy for treating cancer; and many other potential applications are now being studied and are in various stages of development.
The summit’s planning committee included committee co-chairs and UVA faculty Natasha Sheybani, PhD, and Shayan Moosa, PhD, as well as Lauren Hadley, MD, MBA, and UVA Radiology members Alan Matsumoto, MD, MA; Richard Price, PhD; Colleen Duffy, and Holland Hersey.
The FUS Innovation Summit received attention from local media stations NBC-29 and CBS-19. More details of the summit can be found on the event page, and pictures of the event can be viewed here.
Attendees and participants at UVA’s Focused Ultrasound Innovation Summit.
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