Riverside Health has reached a major milestone with the completion of its 2,500th Gamma Knife® procedure at Riverside Radiosurgery Center in Newport News, further cementing its position as a statewide leader in non-invasive brain surgery.
The 2,500th patient, Tamara, was referred to Riverside after visiting her Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) provider for sudden hearing loss. Advanced imaging revealed a vestibular schwannoma which is a benign brain tumor and she was quickly connected with Neurosurgeons at Riverside Hampton Roads Neurosurgical and Spine Specialists.
“When I first heard the word ‘tumor,’ I was terrified,” Tamara said. “But from the very beginning, Riverside made me feel safe, supported, and informed. Today I had my Gamma Knife treatment and while I know recovery takes time, I already feel hopeful about what’s ahead.”
The Gamma Knife® uses 192 focused beams of Cobalt-60 radiation to treat brain tumors and abnormalities with sub-millimeter precision—without any incisions. With this level of accuracy and precision, Tamara was treated in a single outpatient visit.
Riverside introduced Gamma Knife radiosurgery to Virginia in 2006 and remains a pioneer in the field. In 2020, they became the first and only provider in Virginia—and one of just a few in the country—to upgrade to the Gamma Knife Icon™, offering both frame-based and frameless precision treatments with real-time imaging and unparalleled accuracy. Most recently, they became the first health system in Virginia to implement the cutting-edge Elekta Esprit technology in its Leksell Gamma Knife at the Riverside Radiosurgery Center in Newport News—an advanced upgrade that enhances radiosurgical precision, particularly for patients with brain metastases from cancers not treatable by other therapies.
“When we brought Gamma Knife to Riverside more than two decades ago, we knew it had the potential to change lives—but I don’t think any of us could have imagined just how many,” said Dr. William McAllister, neurosurgeon with Riverside and co-medical director of Riverside Radiosurgery Center. “Reaching 2,500 procedures is more than a milestone—it’s a reflection of our long-standing commitment to innovation, excellence, and the belief that patients deserve access to the very best care, close to home.”
Gamma Knife radiosurgery at Riverside treats conditions including acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, brain metastases, arteriovenous malformations, and trigeminal neuralgia. The treatment is highly targeted, sparing healthy brain tissue and reducing side effects. Most patients return to daily activities within 24–48 hours.
“You never think you’ll need something like this—until you do,” Tamara said. “Knowing this kind of technology and care is right here in our community gave me comfort I can’t put into words. I’m looking forward to the day I can hear more clearly again.”
As Riverside celebrates this milestone, it continues its mission to expand access to world-class neurosurgical care—one patient, one breakthrough, one life at a time. Learn more about Gamma Knife Radiosurgery by visiting: https://www.riversideonline.com/medical-services/stereotactic-radiosurgery/gamma-knife.