The creative partnership between Ringling College of Art and Design’s Virtual Reality Development program and renowned Moffitt Cancer Center is proving more fruitful than ever!
The dynamic team, which includes amongst others, Dr. Sarah E. Hoffe, section head of GI Radiation Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center, Martin Murphy, the recently appointed Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth Endowed Head of Virtual Reality Development at Ringling College, Morgan Woolverton, Department Head of Ringling’s Game Art program, and Joseph Janssen ’22, recent graduate of the Virtual Reality Development program, took home 13 wins at the 43rd annual Telly Awards.
The interactive VR video, VR Introduction to the MRI-linac, won both Silver and Bronze awards across multiple categories including Branded Content General-Education & Training, Immersive & Mixed Reality General-Student, and Non-Broadcast General-Health and Wellness.
The MRI-linac (or MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy), in a single, powerful device, “integrates a high-strength magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine with a linear accelerator.” According to Moffitt Cancer Center, “These two important instruments, which have been used separately in cancer treatment for many years, can now be used simultaneously to achieve heightened precision. As the MRI machine produces high-definition, diagnostic-quality images of a tumor in real time, the linear accelerator can maintain a sharp focus on the tumor while targeting it with high-energy beams. As such, the MRI-linac facilitates an unprecedented level of accuracy in the delivery of radiation treatment.” (Read more here)
This virtual reality project was created for cancer patients at Moffitt who are receiving radiation treatments by way of the hospital’s state-of-the-art MRI guided machines, under Dr. Hoffe’s guidance. The VR simulation allows patients to experience what it will be like on an MRI table before they undergo real-life treatment. The goal of the simulation is to reduce anxiety and fear for both patients and their supporters and to improve clinical effectiveness and patient care overall – in short, it helps alleviate the fear of the unknown.
The partnership started back in 2019 with the aim to develop creative content for digital healthcare technologies, including virtual reality, animations for patient education, and training videos for physicians. Under Dr. Hoffe’s guidance, the virtual reality project was created for cancer patients at Moffitt who are receiving radiation treatments by way of the hospital’s state-of-the-art MRI guided machines. The VR simulation allows patients to experience what it will be like on an MRI table before they undergo real-life treatment. The goal of the simulation is to reduce anxiety and fear for both patients and their supporters and to improve clinical effectiveness and patient care overall. Read more about how the project got its start here.
In a letter to the award winners, Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje wrote, “In response to the limitations of the last months, the video and television community has resurfaced, equipped with tools for a transformed world and ‘A New POV.’ Companies have returned to set with refreshed workflows and offerings, from animation to virtual experiences to supplement live productions. More diverse voices have been tapped to lead behind the camera and below-the-line. As our community continues the important work of storytelling, it returns with a new perspective rooted in values of innovation, agility, equity, and tenacious creativity – and we are thrilled to recognize you as among the very best!”
The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multi-screen industry The Telly Awards celebrates. Partners of The Telly Awards include NAB, Stash Media, Production Hub, and We Are Parable.
Watch the full awards ceremony and learn more at www.tellyawards.com.
(L to R) Martin Murphy, Morgan Woolverton, Joseph Janssen, and Dr. Sarah Hoffe
