Ghana Society for Medical Physics

Halt Medical Physics programme at CK Tedam University – Society for Medical Physics charges GTEC, others

ko1 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 10:19:38 +0000

The Ghana Society for Medical Physics (GSMP) has raised concerns and objected to the introduction of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) programme in Medical Physics at the CK Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS).

It said Medical Physics, by convention, was run as a postgraduate academic programme globally due to the complex physics techniques and principles applied in the use of radiations for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions such as cancers and other degenerative health conditions.

“The GSMP will like to emphasise that Medical Physics (as an) academic programme is run purely at the postgraduate level, hence we request stakeholders, including the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and the governing board of the CKT-UTAS, to work together and immediately take steps to halt the BSc Medical Physics programme.

Failure to take this necessary and urgent step may have implications on medical physics professional practice in Ghana, and could have negative consequences, thereby putting patients in danger,” the General Secretary of the GSMP, Dr Shiraz Issahaku, told the Daily Graphic in an interview.

International bodies

Dr Issahaku, who is also the President of the Ghana Federation of Allied Health Profession, said for that reason, relevant international bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Organisation for Medical Physics, the Federation of African Medical Physics Organisations and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine had recommended an academic programme in medical physics to be strictly run at the Masters and PhD levels, and that undergraduate students seeking admission to pursue postgraduate Medical Physics programme were recommended to have a strong background in Physics, namely BSc Physics, to be able to comprehend the techniques applied in Medical Physics.

“To the utter surprise of the GSMP, we have come to realise that CKT-UTAS has been accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to run an undergraduate programme in Medical Physics (BSc Medical Physics) and the programme has already enrolled students.

“Not only is this contrary to recommended international standards; it also raises serious questions about the quality of education being offered to students who have been admitted into the programme,” he said.

Medical Physics, he said, was a health profession which was rigorously regulated both nationally and internationally owing to the peculiar nature of its training and clinical practice, and that in Ghana, the profession was regulated by the AHPC of the Ministry of Health based on the regulatory provisions of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act (ACT 857) of 2013.

Reasons

Dr Issahaku said in the establishment and certification of health-related academic programmes at the university, the health regulatory body responsible for such cadre of professionals needed to be consulted and inputs made into such programmes, and that in the case of Medical Physics, the AHPC had a mandate to regulate the clinical training and practice of professionals.

Moreover, he said, in addition to the theoretical component of a Medical Physics education and training, students were required to go through mandatory clinical hands-on practical exercises, supervised by a board-certified and clinically qualified medical physicist in an accredited health training institute of the Ministry of Health.

Checks

“Unfortunately, our checks indicate that no such arrangement is in place by CKT-UTAS for the training of the students who have been enrolled.

Clinical facilities for training such as nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy are not available at the disposal of CKT-UTAS for the training.

“There are no records of a clinical training programme that complements the theoretical component of their training,” he said.

Per national and international standards, Dr Issahaku said, specialised academic programmes which fed graduates directly into professional practice required the training institution to have a certain minimum number of qualified professionals in the related field as faculty.

“We are aware that in the practice of GTEC (Act 1023), any tertiary institution willing to introduce a specialised programme such as Medical Physics would require a minimum of three to five faculty members in the same specialised area of study the institution seeks to introduce.

However, in the case of CKT-UTAS, our checks indicate that not a single medical physicist is involved, either as faculty or teaching assistant, in the BSc Medical Physics programme which is being run by the university,” he said.

Such graduates, it said, might potentially flood the healthcare system and would be seen as “quarks”.

Petition to GTEC

Earlier, the President of the GSMP, Dr Eric Clement Desmond Kotei Addison, had petitioned the Director General of GTEC to halt the Bachelor of Science in Medical Physics programme at the CKT-UTAS.

In a letter dated February 1, 2024, it stated that it was “of interest to bring to your attention the introduction of BSc in Medical Physics at CK Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, contrary to the established international and local standards of practice”.

Medical Physics programme, it said, was purely a postgraduate programme, which was internationally recognised by all international bodies and stakeholders.

“It beats our imagination how anybody could establish such a programme without the involvement of any of the key stakeholders in the country.

“In view of the above, we, therefore, appeal to you to take the necessary steps to immediately halt the BSc Medical Physics programme at the undergraduate level for the university to take the necessary steps to upgrade the programme to the postgraduate level or otherwise,” the letter said.

Source: https://www.graphic.com.gh/

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IOMP Anniversary Webinar: November 07, 2023

gsmp2 — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 09:13:38 +0000

IOMP Anniversary Webinar: November 07, 2023

Tuesday, 7th November 2023 at 12 pm GMT; Duration 1 hour

To check the corresponding time in your country please check this link:
https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-gadgets/time-zone-converter/

Organizers: John Damilakis & Magdalena Stoeva
Moderators: John Damilakis & Eva Bezak
Speakers: Azam Niroomand-Rad, Colin G. Orton, Fridtjof Nüsslin

Title: The 60^th Anniversary of IOMP – Personal Memories and Some Thoughts on the Future of Medical Physics

Speaker: Prof. Azam Niroomand-Rad, PhD, DSc, FAAPM, FACMP, DABR, FIOMP, FIUPESM

Azam Niroomand-Rad was born in Tehran, Iran. Encouraged by her math/physics teacher and inspired by Maria Skłodowska-Curie, she won Fulbright Scholarship for college education and went to USA in 1966. Azam completed BS in Math/Physics with honors (Summa Cum Laude & Phi Beta Kappa) from State University of NY in 1970 and then PhD in Atomic and Molecular Physics from Michigan State University in 1978.
Azam Niroomand-Rad received Postdoc Fellowship in 1981 and worked at the Department of Medical Physics at University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin under supervision of late Profs John Cameron and Herb Attix. She has specialized in therapeutic medical physics and has been certified by American College of Radiology (ACR) in 1988 by American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP) in 1990.
Prof. Niroomand-Rad worked at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee (1983-1988) and then at the Department of Radiation Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC until her retirement in 2008. She is now an Honorary Prof. at University of Wisconsin-Madison where she lives.
Prof Azam Niroomand-Rad is first (and thus far only) woman to serve as IOMP President (2003-2006). She is founder of the AAPM / IOMP International Scientific Exchange Programs (ISEP) for developing countries and has served on many AAPM / IOMP committees / Task Forces including International Labor Organization (ILO) (1991- 2008). She has published numerous articles and book chapters and has been Co-Inventor of a US Patent for designing a novel stereotactic method for treatment of spine lesions. She has received many Honors and Awards from numerous organizations including Honorary Doctor of Science Degree (DSc.) in 2001, AAPM Life-Time Achievement in Medical Physics (Quimby Award) (2006), and IOMP Marie Skłodowska Curie Award (2009) for a distinguished career contributing to the advancement of international medical physics through research, teaching and leadership.

Abstract:

First Giant of Medical Physics

• Since Nov. 7, 2013, Marie birthday is celebrated as International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP)
• She was the first scientist to introduce the principles of physics in the field of medicine with a focus on diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• How did she create Medical Physics not knowing what it was?
• How did she know her discoveries could transform the practice of physics and chemistry?
• How great scientists are formed?
Is it: time/place of birth, upbringing, hardships, hard works, obstacles to overcome?
Or is it: curiosity, courage, persistence, patient, problem solving, open-mindedness, communication skill, willingness to take risks, detail-oriented, critical thinking, and creativity?
• I believe Maria had most of these personal and scientific attributes. She took “path less traveled.”
• I believe Maria’s family tragedies in Poland, her financial difficulties in college, along with poor research condition and sudden death of her husband Pierre Curie may have contributed to her becoming stronger and more determined to reach her goals.

Role Model: Marie Skłodowska-Curie

• Most people have some role models and heroes when they are growing up.
• When I was growing up in Tehran, Iran, I had no idea what Medical Physics was but I knew that Marie Curie had a remarkable life in Poland under Russian occupation and had difficult life in Paris and had won 2 Nobel Prizes in: Physics and Chemistry.
• Encouraged by my teachers and inspired by Marie Curie, I studied Math/Physics in High School.
• Then I received Fulbright scholarship to go to US (1966) for my college education.
• This was a difficult decision for my family and a big risk for me since I had never had to leave my family / country.
• I knew studying Physics will be a long and winding path for me when I left Iran.
• My journey to US at a young age, brought both challenges and opportunities.
• Had to overcome obstacles to reach my goals/dream with determination / discipline.
• Feeling homesick, facing cultural differences, had to overcome language barriers, I escaped to study long hours in libraries.
• Completed BS in Math/Physics with honors (Suma Cum Laude) from State University of New York in Albany, NY. (1970)
• Completed PhD in Atomic/Molecular Physics from Michigan State University, MI (1978)

New Professional Path: Medical Physics Career

• In 1981 when I saw a Postdoc Advertisement in Physics Today by late Prof. John Cameron, I called
him and asked him “What is Medical Physics?”.
• After some conversation, when he learned about my Math/Physics background, he asked me to come to the UW-Madison within a few days before he goes to China.
• Luckily, I started my Postdoc Fellowship (1981) at the UW-Madison under supervision of late Prof. Cameron and Prof. Attix not knowing much about Medical Physics.
• I learned that in 1981 John had established the 1st Medical Physics Department in US.
• With a step-function change in my career (theoretical physics to applied physics), I had to decide between diagnostic and therapeutic Medical Physics.
• This was not an easy decision. Eventually chose therapeutic MP and became certified by American College of Radiology (1988) and American Board of Medical Physics. (1990).
• I became qualified to work at medical schools with patient care, research and teaching duties.
• Inspired by John Cameron and Larry Lanzel for improving MP globally, in 1988, I founded the AAPM/IOMP International Scientific Exchange Programs (ISEP) for developing countries.
• Initially with no funding from AAPM and IOMP and some resistance from developing countries, I did not know how to implement these programs.
• With the help of the American colleagues, including Faiz Khan and Colin Orton, we were able to offer these programs for free and established several MP Associations / Societies in Pakistan, Iran, Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Turkey, Russia, Bangladesh, Iraq, etc.

Lessons Learned, Plans Pursued, Future Actions

• Soon we learned that since MP was not listed as occupation by ILO (International Labor
Organization), there were inertia to change / establish PM profession in developing countries.
• In 1994, in coordination with IOMP Presidents (Keith Boddy and Colin Orton), I provided data/documents as needed till MP profession was recognized and listed by ILO (2008).
• Encouraged by Larry Lanzl and John Cameron and supported by Colin Orton, I was nominated for IOMP Presidency in 2000 and became IOMP President (2003-2006).
• In collaboration with Colin Orton, we re-wrote IOMP Bylaws, established Rules Com., Joined IUPAP (Int’l Union of Pure and Applied Physics) as Affiliated Commission on Medical Physics (IntComMP), established Honors & Awards, including Marie Skłodowska-Curie Award for Distinguished Career in Research, Teaching, and Leadership.
• I was honored to receive Maria Skłodowska-Curie Award in 2009 and AAPM Life Time Achievement Award (Quimby Award) in 2006.
• What Actions could be taken by the next generation of Medical Physicists?
• Today, MP is exciting, dynamic and unique. There are new challenges to overcome to foster the next generation of MPs: Integration and sharing skills & expertise including creation and application of novel technical approaches with artificial intelligent robots that may increase efficiency/ efficacy of patient care in urban and underserved remote areas which have limited local resources.

Speaker: Colin Orton

Ph.D. in Radiation Physics from the University of London. Past Secretary-General of the IOMP and Past President of several organizations including the IOMP, IUPESM, IMPCB, AAPM, ACMP, and ABS. Chief Medical Physicist at New York University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University, and Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University, where I am currently Professor Emeritus. Past Editor of Medical Physics World, Medical Physics, Bulletin of the American College of Medical Physics, and the AAPM Quarterly Bulletin. Author or coauthor of about 300 papers in refereed journals, over 50 book chapters and 600 presentations, and author, coauthor, or editor of over 50 books. Major research interests have been bioeffect dose modeling, development of new fractionation and dose-rate regimes, HDR brachytherapy, cervix and breast radiotherapy, radiobiology, radiation carcinogenesis, radiation induced injuries, and radiotherapy physics.

Abstract:

I will be reviewing experiences when helping incoming Vice-President Prof. Larry Lanzl establish Medical Physics World in 1982 and as MPW Editor from 1985-1988, as IOMP Secretary-General from 1988-1994, and as IOMP President from 2000-2003. Memorable events during my terms of office included the establishment of the IOMP Library Program, the Travel Scholarships program for attendance at the World Congress by developing country delegates, the publishing agreement between the IOMP and the IOP, the IOMP/AAPM International Scientific Exchange Program (ISEP), the Donation of New and Used Equipment program, and the awarding of Full Membership in ICSU. Personal memories include helping countries establish their national medical physics organizations so as to apply for IOMP membership, participating in the 1^st IOMP/AAPM ISEP course in Pakistan in 1992, and participation in the 1991 USSR medical physics conference when the USSR was dissolving, and the member countries voted to form their own national medical physics societies.

Speaker: Fridtjof Nüsslin, Technical University Munich, Germany

Education & Academic Qualification:

1959 Study of Physics and Medical Sciences at universities of Tübingen and Heidelberg;
1968 Dr.rer.nat., Physics and Physiology, University of Heidelberg; Postdoctoral fellowship at Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg;
1979 Qualification university lecturer in Medical Physics;
1984 Professor Medical Physics;

Employment:

1970 Physicist at Radiotherapy Department, Medical School Hannover;
1987-2004 Full professor Medical Physics at the University of Tübingen;

Scientific Activities & Topics of interest:

Radiotherapy Treatment Optimisation, Conformal Radiotherapy (IMRT, IGRT); Dosimetry and Treatment Planning Optimization, Conformal Radiotherapy, Image Guidance, Advanced Technologies (particle beam therapy, laser application in imaging & particle beam therapy), Imaging technology (MRI/MRS, PET, CT); Biological & Molecular Imaging, Biological Modeling, Small Animal Image Guided High Precision Irradiation Technology. Treatment planning, Radiotherapy equipment, Dosimetry; Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy and Radiology; Radiation Protection; Non-Ionizing Radiation Effects; Hyperthermia; Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies. National and International professional matters of Medical Physicists, Medical Physics in developing countries. Education & Training Programmes

Professional Activities:

Since 2004 Professor Biomedical Physics at Technische Universität München
Various positions held in scientific organisations, boards, committees in Germany;
1990-1994 president DGMP
1994-1996 EFOMP Chair Scientific Committee;
1996-1998 EFOMP President.
2000-2006 IOMP Chair International Advisory Board
2006-2009 IOMP Vice President (elect)
2009-2012 IOMP President
2012-2015 IUPESM Vice-President

Honours:

2004 Honorary membership of the Czech Association for Medical Physicists (CAMP)
2005 Honorary membership of the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP)
2006 Honorary membership DEGRO (German Society of Radiooncology)
2008 Honorary membership OEGRO (Austrian Society of Radiooncology)
2008 Distinguished Affiliated Professor, Technische Universität München (TUM) and Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Studies, Technische Universität München (TUM-IAS)
2011 Richard-Glocker-Award of the DGMP (German Society of Medical Physics)
2011 Honorary membership SMPS (Saudi Medical Physics Society)
2013 Honorary Fellow IOMP
2021 Honorary Member DGMP
2021 Honorary Fellow IUPESM

Publications:

More than 200 publications in peer reviewed journals

Abstract:

Why medical physics? What is so fascinating in medical physics? Isn´t it just something in between of medicine and physics? Looking back on my professional life, I still have the feeling that hardly any other profession than medical physics covers such a broad spectrum of various disciplines. Indeed, during my whole life as a medical physicist I appreciated so much the many opportunities to witness exciting innovations, new trends and breakthroughs in medical and natural sciences, and to enjoy the challenge of translating these into health care practice. Another track of my professional life was my passion for contributing to the expansion and flourishing of medical physics worldwide. In this context it was a great honour and my personal highlight to have the opportunity to serve our community in several capacities at IOMP from 2000-2015. I am indebted to innumerable colleagues and friends during that time who made it possible to achieve important milestones, such as the expansion of the IOMP-Chapter structure, membership of IUPAP, tighter connection to WHO and IAEA, the approved definition of the “Medical Physicist” as a profession listed at the ILO, and many other advancements. However, there are still some issues we must focus on: the harmonization of education & training worldwide, filling the gap of qualified medical physicists, particularly in the LMI-countries, and opportunities for advancing medical physics science.

Technical support, promotion, recording: Prof. M. Stoeva

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IUPESM First Virtual Global Town Hall

gsmp2 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:19:59 +0000

IUPESM First Virtual Global Town Hall

The International Union of Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine (IUPESM) was established in 1980 and has been organizing the World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering every three years since 1982. The International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) and International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE) are both constituent organizations of IUPESM. The outgoing Presidents of these two organizations by turn, take up Presidency of IUPESM. Other members of the Administrative Council of IUPESM also primarily come from IOMP and IFMBE, thus making IUPESM an umbrella organization. Health and Technology journal is jointly published by Springer and the IUPESM in cooperation with the World Health Organization. The purpose of this Town Hall is to create awareness about the structure and function of IUPESM and its various Committees and Task Groups.

The IUPESM’s First Virtual Global Town Hall is scheduled for 12 pm GMT on 5 October 2023 with a duration of 60 minutes.

Register here

To check the corresponding time in your country please check this link:
https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-gadgets/time-zone-converter/

CME/CPD credit point shall be awarded for participation in the webinar in full.

Organizer: Madan Rehani, President IUPESM
Moderator: Magdalena Stoeva, SG IUPESM

Madan Rehani

IUPESM President
Co-Chair Congress Coordinating Committee
Chair ISC Liaison Committee
Co-Chair Task Group on Integrated medical physics and biomedical engineering actions

Shankar Krishnan

IUPESM Vice President
Chair Awards Committee

James Goh

IUPESM Past President
Co-Chair Congress Coordinating Committee
Chair Nominating Committee

Slavik Tabakov

IUPESM Past Vice President
Chair Rules Committee

Ratko Magjarević

IFMBE President
Chair Union Journal Committee

John Damilakis

IOMP President
Co-Chair Task Group on Artificial Intelligence

Magdalena Stoeva

IUPESM Secretary General
Co-Chair Public and International Relations Ad-hoc Committee
Co-Chair IUPESM MEP Workshop Task Group

Elliot Vernet

IUPESM Treasurer

Leandro Pecchia

Co-Chair Public and International Relations Ad-hoc Committee

Kang-Ping Lin

Co-Chair IUPESM MEP Workshop Task Group

Andrew Nisbet

Co-Chair Task Group on Integrated medical physics and biomedical engineering actions

Subrata Saha

Co-Chair Task Group on Artificial Intelligence

Lenka Lhotska

Co-Chair Women in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Task Group

Loredana Marcu

Co-Chair Women in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Task Group

Marc Nyssen

Chair IUPESM Data Committee

Technical support, promotion, recording: Prof. M. Stoeva

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Engaging Patients for Medical Radiation Safety

gsmp2 — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 14:31:45 +0000

Engaging Patients for Medical Radiation Safety18 September 2023, 13:00 -14:30 (CEST)

Co-organizers: ICRP, IOMP, ISR, ISRRT, RAD-AID, WFNMB, WHO

Audience: professionals

WPSD 2023 Theme: “Engaging patients for patient safety”

Format: Panel discussions (no presentations in the sessions)

Chair: WHO representative

Panelists:

Bibb ALLEN (ISR)
Kimberley APPLEGATE (ICRP)
John DAMILAKIS (IOMP)
Guy FRIJA (ISR)
Donald FRUSH (ISR)
MAC GINTY (ISR)
Irena PAPIEVA (WHO)
Suz SCHRANDT (Patient representative)
Chek-Wee TAN (ISRRT)
Jean-Pierre TASU (ISR)
Mary WEATHERALL (RAD-AID)
TBC (WFNMB)

Objectives of World Patient Safety Day 2023

Raise global awareness of the need for active engagement of patients and their families and caregivers in all settings and at all levels of health care to improve patient safety.
Engage policy-makers, health care leaders, health and care workers, patients’ organizations, civil society and other stakeholders in efforts to engage patients and families in the policies and practices for safe health care.
Empower patients and families to be actively involved in their own health care and in the improvement of safety of health care.
Advocate urgent action on patient and family engagement, aligned with the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030, to be taken by all partners.

References:

Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030: Towards eliminating avoidable harm in health care
World Patient Safety Day 2023
- Campaign essentials
- Canto: Library of logos, Zoom backdrops, etc

Technical support, promotion, recording: Prof. M. Stoeva

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IOMP-IUPESM-ISC Joint Webinar: Practical Deep-Dive on ChatGPT

ko1 — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 17:08:42 +0000

IOMP-IUPESM-ISC Joint Webinar: Practical Deep-Dive on ChatGPT

Tuesday, 29th August 2023 at 12 pm GMT;
Duration 1 hour Register here

CME/CPD credit point shall be awarded for participation in the webinar in full.
To check the corresponding time in your country please check this link:
https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-gadgets/time-zone-converter/

Organizers: Magdalena Stoeva (IOMP,IUPESM) & Zhenya Tsoy (ISC)

Moderator: Magdalena Stoeva
Speaker: Nick Scott

Nick Scott
As a senior digital leader for more than 15 years, Nick worked with third sector organizations as diverse as Médicins Sans Frontières, UNISON and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) to understand their goals; explore the possibilities digital offers for achieving these goals; and map and deliver the changes they needed to succeed. For his work building a digital team at UNISON Nick was listed in the Digital Leaders 100 list in the UK while at ODI his digital strategy was awarded Digital Strategy of the Year at the European Digital Communications Awards.Since 2021 Nick has been working as a consultant while undertaking an Executive MBA programme at ESADE Business School in Barcelona. Nick helps non profits realize a transformative vision of what they could be in the digital age.AbstractThe joint IOMP-IUPESM-ISC (International Science Council) webinar will create a safe space for experimentation and explore how the most popular tool – ChatGPT – can be used in our everyday work. The webinar in the form of practical workshop follows the initial workshop organized by the ISC in June 2023.The webinar is focused on but not limited to the following items:An overview of technical capabilities and limitations of ChatGPTA guided live preview of ChatGPT with examples on writing, testing and validating effective promptsWhat is happening next with new versions of software, such as MS Office, where similar tools will be in-builtModerated Q&A sessionA special focus is given on insights on how to work around technical capabilities and limitations of the tool, what makes for an effective prompt, and other practical questions around the use of ChatGPT.The webinar is aimed at those working in the scientific organizations, communications colleagues and those with a general interest in using the tool. It would be useful to all levels of users – from those just starting out to discover ChatGPT, to those who are already actively using it.

The post IOMP-IUPESM-ISC Joint Webinar: Practical Deep-Dive on ChatGPT appeared first on Ghana Society for Medical Physics.

IPEM LMIC Sponsorship Award

ko1 — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 21:39:02 +0000

Dear All,

We are happy to announce that the IPEM LMIC Sponsorship Award has been re-launched this year.

Details may be found at https://www.ipem.ac.uk/news/apply-for-ipem-s-low-and-middle-income-countries-award/

All those working in the field of Medical Physics or Clinical Engineering in a Low or Middle Income Country are encouraged to make applications for this award,

Closing date for applications is 30^th April, 2023.

The post IPEM LMIC Sponsorship Award appeared first on Ghana Society for Medical Physics.

IMPW 2023 Webinars (24-28 April 2023)

gsmp2 — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 19:56:18 +0000

Subject: IMPW 2023 Webinars (24-28 April 2023)

IMPW 2023 PROGRAMME
Day 1 (24 April 2023)IOMP Webinar: Radiation Protection When Imaging Pregnant Patients: An ICRP PerspectiveMonday, 24th April 2023 at 12 pm GMT; Duration 1 hourMore info on IMPW 2023 – Day 1 WebinarOrganizer: John Damilakis, IOMP
Moderator: John Damilakis, IOMP
Speaker: Kimberly Applegate, MD. MS, Chair of Committee 3, ICRP
Day 2 (25 April 2023)IOMP Webinar: Micro-X CNT Emitters, X-ray Tubes, and Unique Imaging ApplicationsTuesday, 25th April 2023 at 12 pm GMT; Duration 1 hourMore info on IMPW 2023 – Day 2 WebinarOrganizers: Eva Bezak, IOMP
Moderator: Eva Bezak, IOMP
Speaker: Brian Gonzales, PhD, Chief Scientist and CEO of Micro-X Inc, USA
Day 3 (26 April 2023)IOMP Webinar: Cumulative Dose: What, Why, When, How, and How Much?Wednesday, 26th April 2023 at 12 pm GMT; Duration 1 hourMore info on IMPW 2023 – Day 3 WebinarOrganizer: John Damilakis, IOMP
Moderator: John Damilakis, IOMP
Speaker: Madan Rehani, PhD, Director, Global Outreach for Radiation Protection, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
Day 4 (27 April 2023)IOMP Webinar: Leadership in Medical PhysicsThursday, 27th April 2023 at 12 pm GMT; Duration 1 hourMore info on IMPW 2023 – Day 4 Webinar Organizer: Eva Bezak, IOMP, Simone Kodlulovich Renha, IOMP
Moderator: Simone Kodlulovich Renha, IOMP
Speaker: Colin Orton, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Wayne State University, USA
Day 5 (28 April 2023)IOMP Webinar: Upright Radiotherapy: Challenges and OpportunitiesFriday, 28th April 2023 at 12 pm GMT; Duration 1 hourMore info on IMPW 2023 – Day 5 WebinarOrganizer: Eva Bezak, IOMP
Moderator: M Mahesh, IOMP
Speaker: Tracy Underwood, PhD, Senior Physicist, Leo Cancer Care, UKTechnical support, promotion, recording: Prof. M. Stoevaview this email in your browser
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GSMP Webinar: An Overview of Diagnostic Imaging Equipment: The Case of Ghana (Tuesday, 28 March 2023 @ 10 GMT)

gsmp2 — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:39:47 +0000

The Ghana Society for Medical Physics (GSMP) cordially invites you to join their March Webinar Series scheduled TOMORROW, 28 March 2023 at 10 AM (GMT).

https://meet.google.com/prj-mcih-iqx

The post GSMP Webinar: An Overview of Diagnostic Imaging Equipment: The Case of Ghana (Tuesday, 28 March 2023 @ 10 GMT) appeared first on Ghana Society for Medical Physics.

IOMP School Webinar: Women in Medical Physics (on the occasion of the International Women’s Day)

ko1 — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 13:39:36 +0000

Women in Medical Physics(on the occasion of the International Women’s Day)

Wednesday, 8th March 2023 at 12 pm GMT;

Duration 1 hour
Register here

To check the corresponding time in your country please check this link:
https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-gadgets/time-zone-converter/

Organizer: Magdalena Stoeva and Eva Bezak
Moderator: Loredana MarcuTitle: Improving Women Health: the needs of medical imaging and the IAEA perspective

Speaker: Virginia Tsapaki, PhD

Medical Physicist (Diagnostic Radiology), Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Medical Physicist specialised in radiology at the DMRP Section, Division of Human Health, IAEA since August 2019. Since then, involved in multiple regional, national training courses, as well as various missions and activities related to human health. Scientific Secretary of 3 IAAEA publicaitons and contributor to 3 other related guidance documents. From 2004 until 2019, an IAEA expert sent in several missions, analysing data and publishing scientific papers from various IAEA surveys. Clinical experience for approximately 30 years with more than 150 publications in national/international journals/conference proceedings and more than 200 presentations/posters in national/international conferences. Participated in multiple European projects such as the Clinical Diagnostic Reference Levels, ENEN+ project, Basic Safety Standards Transposition project, ENETRAP III, Paediatric Diagnostic Reference Levels, EUTEMPE-RX, EMAN, SENTINEL, DIMOND II/III research projects. Served as a chair or member of committees in international organizations (AAPM, IOMP, EFOMP, ESR, EURAMED). Chair of Organizing committee of 2 European conferences (2016, 2018).Abstract:The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assists Member States in nuclear sciences and applications to benefit human health and to ensure safe, high quality and effective medical uses of radiation. The overall goal of the IAEA Human Health programme is to build capacity and transfer technology for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in radiation medicine according to best practices. Various activities to support the above efforts, relevant to improving women health are: a) Guidance documents, training and professional matters; b) Coordinated Research Activities; c) Development of training resources; and d) Clinical audit programmes. All these will be presented in more detail during the session.

Title: Pioneer women in medical physics from the Middle East

Speaker: Huda Al Naemi, PhD

Executive Director, Hamad Medical Corporation, A/Professor, Weil Cornel Medicine, Qatar
Dr. Huda has been working in Hamad Medical Corporation for almost 3 decades and she is the Executive Director of Occupational Health and Safety Department since 2006. Dr. Al Naemi represents Qatar in a number of international and global organizations such as; International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), IPEM and World Health Organization (WHO) and implement some of their projects at the national level. Dr. Al Naemi is an active member in many international organizations such as, European Society of Radiology(ESR), American Organization of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), IOMP, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and, Gulf Nuclear medicine association.In 2019 Dr. AlNaemi was appointed as Assistant professor of Medical Biophysics Research in Radiology at Weil Cornel Medicine (WCM). Dr. AlNaemi’s role in WCM is to collaborate in education and training for medical students and to conduct research at the cutting edge of knowledge to provide the highest quality of care to the community. Dr. AlNaemi has collaborated on several research and educational projects including some funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These have led to several peer-reviewed publications, this research focused on radiation dose optimization in imaging modalities for patients including pregnant women and pediatrics. The two projects funded by QNRF were in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School USA and Geneva University Hospital Switzerland.Dr. AlNaemi was elected president of the Middle East Federation of Organization of Medical Physics (MEFOMP) for the term 2018 – 2022 and she is also the president of the Qatar Medical Physics Society (QaMPS) since 2018. As MEFOMP president Dr. AlNaemi led the MEFOMP efforts for the publication of a chapter in a published book on “Medical Physics during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2019 Dr. Al Naemi was awarded the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) The Healthcare Gold Medal. In 2017 she was awarded the State Encouragement Award for Medical Sciences Category, Doha Qatar. In 2022 Dr. Huda received an appreciation from IOMP for her strenuous efforts in her work as president of MEFOMP from 2018-2022. In 2022 Dr. Al Naemi has been elected as a regular member of the IDMP, one of the IOMP committees.Abstract:Main ObjectivesTo Believe in ourselves as women and face the challengesTo do the maximum energy in work and givingTo be always optimistic and believe of better future.Middle Eastern women have a very limited opportunity when it comes to professional career and they are thought to be better off staying at home taking care of the household. Yes indeed, such fact existed in the old days. It has rooted from the very own families of the Arabs and continued in primary school where girls and boys studies separately. There is an opportunity then for women, but it was limited only to teaching and nursing profession. But gone are those days; opportunities have opened for women. Slowly, the colleges started admitting women in the so-called “men field” especially in the healthcare industry.Eventually, I started work in healthcare as senior radiation physicist then became the Executive Director of Occupational Health and Safety Department where I direct various health and safety sections including the Radiation Safety Section which was later named as Medical Physics Section. Being the only Medical Physicist in Qatar then, I represented the country internationally and had the opportunity to work with various international organizations such as WHO, IAEA, UNEP to name a few, and has implemented some of their projects at the national level. It has always been my aspiration to further the advancement of the medical physics profession locally and regionally. I established the Qatar Society of Medical Physics (QSMP) and co-founded the Middle East Federation of Medical Physics (MEFOMP) which I also became the President in 2018-2021.

Title: Wearing more than one hat – is this the new fashion trend for women in medical physics?

Speaker: Iuliana Toma-Dasu, PhD

Medical Radiation Physics Division, Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, 171 76 Stockholm
Iuliana Toma-Dasu is Professor in Medical Radiation Physics and the Head of the Medical Radiation Physics division at the Department of Physics, Stockholm University, affiliated to the Department of Oncology and Pathology at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and the Editor in Chief of Physica Medica – European Journal of Medical Physics.Iuliana Toma-Dasu studied Medical Physics at Umeå University, Sweden, where she also became a certified medical physicist and received a Ph.D. degree. In parallel with her involvement in the educational program for the medical physicists run at Stockholm University, her main research interests focus on biologically optimised adaptive radiation therapy, including particle therapy, modelling the tumour microenvironment and the risks from radiotherapy.Abstract:Achieving gender equality has been one of the objectives of the medical physicists’ community in many European countries, as well as in many other places around the world. This objective has been partially reached, nowadays women in the medical physics being much less underrepresented than in other physics fields. Becoming a medical physicist and performing clinical duties is, therefore, possible for many women due to the various strategies developed and implemented at institutional, national or international levels within the professional associations under the IOMP umbrella. Reaching, however, higher positions in the hierarchy on either clinical or academic side in medical physics is still a considerable challenge for women compared to men. The question therefore is: how many hats should a woman wear, how many accolades should she receive, how many merits should she prove, to be regarded as successful in medical physics and accede to a leading position? This talk would attempt to answer some of these questions while highlighting the importance of successful women in medical physics to share their experience to inspire others and help the policy makers develop the most successful strategies to continue the work towards offering the same opportunities to all genders in the medical physics field.

The post IOMP School Webinar: Women in Medical Physics (on the occasion of the International Women’s Day) appeared first on Ghana Society for Medical Physics.

IOMP School Webinar: Women in Medical Physics (on the occasion of the International Women’s Day)

ko1 — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 12:15:25 +0000

Women in Medical Physics(on the occasion of the International Women’s Day)
Wednesday, 8th March 2023 at 12 pm GMT;
Duration 1 hour
Register here

NEW: CME/CPD credit point shall be awarded for participation in the webinar in full.To check the corresponding time in your country please check this link:
https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-gadgets/time-zone-converter/

Organizer: Magdalena Stoeva and Eva Bezak

Moderator: Loredana MarcuTitle: Improving Women Health: the needs of medical imaging and the IAEA perspective

Speaker: Virginia Tsapaki, PhD

Medical Physicist (Diagnostic Radiology), Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Medical Physicist specialised in radiology at the DMRP Section, Division of Human Health, IAEA since August 2019. Since then, involved in multiple regional, national training courses, as well as various missions and activities related to human health. Scientific Secretary of 3 IAAEA publicaitons and contributor to 3 other related guidance documents. From 2004 until 2019, an IAEA expert sent in several missions, analysing data and publishing scientific papers from various IAEA surveys. Clinical experience for approximately 30 years with more than 150 publications in national/international journals/conference proceedings and more than 200 presentations/posters in national/international conferences. Participated in multiple European projects such as the Clinical Diagnostic Reference Levels, ENEN+ project, Basic Safety Standards Transposition project, ENETRAP III, Paediatric Diagnostic Reference Levels, EUTEMPE-RX, EMAN, SENTINEL, DIMOND II/III research projects. Served as a chair or member of committees in international organizations (AAPM, IOMP, EFOMP, ESR, EURAMED). Chair of Organizing committee of 2 European conferences (2016, 2018).

Abstract:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assists Member States in nuclear sciences and applications to benefit human health and to ensure safe, high quality and effective medical uses of radiation. The overall goal of the IAEA Human Health programme is to build capacity and transfer technology for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in radiation medicine according to best practices. Various activities to support the above efforts, relevant to improving women health are: a) Guidance documents, training and professional matters; b) Coordinated Research Activities; c) Development of training resources; and d) Clinical audit programmes. All these will be presented in more detail during the session.

Title: Pioneer women in medical physics from the Middle East

Speaker: Huda Al Naemi, PhD

Executive Director, Hamad Medical Corporation, A / Professor, Weil Cornel Medicine, Qatar
Dr. Huda has been working in Hamad Medical Corporation for almost 3 decades and she is the Executive Director of Occupational Health and Safety Department since 2006. Dr. Al Naemi represents Qatar in a number of international and global organizations such as; International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), IPEM and World Health Organization (WHO) and implement some of their projects at the national level. Dr. Al Naemi is an active member in many international organizations such as, European Society of Radiology(ESR), American Organization of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), IOMP, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and, Gulf Nuclear medicine association.In 2019 Dr. AlNaemi was appointed as Assistant professor of Medical Biophysics Research in Radiology at Weil Cornel Medicine (WCM). Dr. AlNaemi’s role in WCM is to collaborate in education and training for medical students and to conduct research at the cutting edge of knowledge to provide the highest quality of care to the community. Dr. AlNaemi has collaborated on several research and educational projects including some funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These have led to several peer-reviewed publications, this research focused on radiation dose optimization in imaging modalities for patients including pregnant women and pediatrics. The two projects funded by QNRF were in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School USA and Geneva University Hospital Switzerland.Dr. AlNaemi was elected president of the Middle East Federation of Organization of Medical Physics (MEFOMP) for the term 2018 – 2022 and she is also the president of the Qatar Medical Physics Society (QaMPS) since 2018. As MEFOMP president Dr. AlNaemi led the MEFOMP efforts for the publication of a chapter in a published book on “Medical Physics during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2019 Dr. Al Naemi was awarded the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) The Healthcare Gold Medal. In 2017 she was awarded the State Encouragement Award for Medical Sciences Category, Doha Qatar. In 2022 Dr. Huda received an appreciation from IOMP for her strenuous efforts in her work as president of MEFOMP from 2018-2022. In 2022 Dr. Al Naemi has been elected as a regular member of the IDMP, one of the IOMP committees.

Abstract:
Middle Eastern women have a very limited opportunity when it comes to professional career and they are thought to be better off staying at home taking care of the household. Yes indeed, such fact existed in the old days. It has rooted from the very own families of the Arabs and continued in primary school where girls and boys studies separately. There is an opportunity then for women, but it was limited only to teaching and nursing profession. But gone are those days; opportunities have opened for women. Slowly, the colleges started admitting women in the so-called “men field” especially in the healthcare industry.Eventually, I started work in healthcare as senior radiation physicist then became the Executive Director of Occupational Health and Safety Department where I direct various health and safety sections including the Radiation Safety Section which was later named as Medical Physics Section. Being the only Medical Physicist in Qatar then, I represented the country internationally and had the opportunity to work with various international organizations such as WHO, IAEA, UNEP to name a few, and has implemented some of their projects at the national level. It has always been my aspiration to further the advancement of the medical physics profession locally and regionally. I established the Qatar Society of Medical Physics (QSMP) and co-founded the Middle East Federation of Medical Physics (MEFOMP) which I also became the President in 2018-2021.

Title: Wearing more than one hat – is this the new fashion trend for women in medical physics?

Speaker: Iuliana Toma-Dasu, PhD

Medical Radiation Physics Division, Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet, Cancer Center Karolinska, 171 76 Stockholm
Iuliana Toma-Dasu is Professor in Medical Radiation Physics and the Head of the Medical Radiation Physics division at the Department of Physics, Stockholm University, affiliated to the Department of Oncology and Pathology at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and the Editor in Chief of Physica Medica – European Journal of Medical Physics.Iuliana Toma-Dasu studied Medical Physics at Umeå University, Sweden, where she also became a certified medical physicist and received a Ph.D. degree. In parallel with her involvement in the educational program for the medical physicists run at Stockholm University, her main research interests focus on biologically optimised adaptive radiation therapy, including particle therapy, modelling the tumour microenvironment and the risks from radiotherapy.

Abstract:
Achieving gender equality has been one of the objectives of the medical physicists’ community in many European countries, as well as in many other places around the world. This objective has been partially reached, nowadays women in the medical physics being much less underrepresented than in other physics fields. Becoming a medical physicist and performing clinical duties is, therefore, possible for many women due to the various strategies developed and implemented at institutional, national or international levels within the professional associations under the IOMP umbrella. Reaching, however, higher positions in the hierarchy on either clinical or academic side in medical physics is still a considerable challenge for women compared to men. The question therefore is: how many hats should a woman wear, how many accolades should she receive, how many merits should she prove, to be regarded as successful in medical physics and accede to a leading position? This talk would attempt to answer some of these questions while highlighting the importance of successful women in medical physics to share their experience to inspire others and help the policy makers develop the most successful strategies to continue the work towards offering the same opportunities to all genders in the medical physics field.

Technical support, promotion, recording: Prof. M. Stoeva

The post IOMP School Webinar: Women in Medical Physics (on the occasion of the International Women’s Day) appeared first on Ghana Society for Medical Physics.