Current News

Colorado State University (CSU) students participated in the "Little Shop of Physics" on 2 March 2025. This open house showcases hands-on experiments and activities to help learners explore science. The CSU students brought a cloud chamber, a few GM detectors and various common radioactive items for demonstrations (Fiesta^® ware, smoke detector). The cloud chamber demonstration was a hit! Several people came in specifically to see the uranium rock and the cloud chamber tracks because a friend or colleague recommended it.

Anilu, Ben and Raissa set up a cloud chamber in anticipation of students' arrival
Photo courtesy of Raissa Chunko

Ben demonstrates the use of a radiation detector on Fiesta® ware
Photo courtesy of Kristina Yepez

Raissa discusses radiation with a group of students
Photo courtesy of Kristina Yepez

HPS Web Operations

Have you written or edited a book that is important in the health physics field? Would you like to share your knowledge with students and health physicists? Would you like to promote your book to people who may not have heard of it yet?

At each Health Physics Society (HPS) annual meeting, there is always excitement in the exhibit hall at the HPS Publications Booth. We gather new copies of health physics-related books throughout the year and then hold a drawing during the meeting to give the books away—free!—to many lucky winners.

The 70th HPS Annual Meeting is being held 13–17 July 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. We would like to offer a large selection of books this year and are asking you for your help. If you have edited or authored a book related to health physics and would like to donate new copies for this year's Publications Booth drawing, contact News Editor Mary Walchuk.

The 2024 Health Physics Society (HPS) Salary Survey has been posted on the Careers in Health Physics page of the HPS website. Survey data was collected by having health physicists submit their responses to survey questions on a web-based data entry form.

Health Physics Society (HPS) President Emeritus Frank Massé died 26 February 2025. An In Memoriam piece will be posted on the HPS website at a future date.

Mike Mahathy, Chapter President

Scott Schwahn, left, receives the Dickson Lecture award from Mike Mahathy
Photo courtesy of Mike Mahathy

The East Tennessee Chapter held the 15th Annual James E. Turner Back to School Lecture Series on 15 February 2025. The symposium honors the legacy of James E. (Jim) Turner (1930–2008), former member of the East Tennessee Chapter. Many of his authored handbooks are still used as references in the radiation safety field.

Three years ago, chapter leadership established the Howard Dickson Memorial Lecture, which is awarded to one of the symposium speakers. This award honors the late Howard Dickson, who was a past president of both our chapter and the Health Physics Society. He was also one of my mentors. The chapter presented the very first Dickson Lecture award to Elizabeth Brackett in 2023. This year, the Third Annual Howard Dickson Memorial Lecture award was presented to Scott Schwahn, who talked about the varied programs at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL). Incidentally, both Howard Dickson and Jim Turner worked at ORNL during their distinguished careers.

Emily Caffrey, 2025 Workshop Cochair

Alert! The third Health Physics Society workshop, covering the exciting topic of fusion, has been approved for 9 CECs (preapproval code 2025-03-03-499)! The workshop will be held 31 March–1 April 2025 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in Birmingham, Alabama. But wait, that's not all!! The Professional Development School "Overview of the Nonionizing Radiation Spectrum" will be held after the workshop, 1–4 April 2025. Make plans now to attend both!

This workshop takes a dive into some challenges in fusion: a new regulatory landscape, tritium management, neutron shielding, and nonionizing radiation issues. Learn from industry experts and network with peers as we explore the potential of fusion energy and the importance of safeguarding human health in a nonionizing radiation environment. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and contribute to the future of radiation safety.

Meeting details, registration, and program here: https://www.xcdsystem.com/hps/program/h22UuSF/index.cfm?pgid=2274

Questions? PC@HPS.org

Tom Johnson

The Central Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Health Physics Society (CRMCHPS) held a joint meeting with the CSU Student Branch of the HPS on 20 February 2025 at the Anschutz Campus of the University of Colorado. Dr. Milan Gadd was the featured speaker with the talk "60+ Years of In Vivo Bioassay at Los Alamos National Laboratory." Gadd was also able to give a presentation at Colorado State University on 21 February, "The LANL External Dosimetry Program." He gave excellent presentations that were both entertaining and informative. He has the unique ability to make history come alive while providing technical details that further enhance his talks. The Central Rocky Mountain Chapter and CSU Student Branch thank Dr. Gadd for his outstanding talks and support.

CRMCHPS combined meeting with CSU students, 20 February 2025, with Dr. Milan Gadd
Photo courtesy of Tom Johnson

CSU Students at CSU campus with Dr. Milan Gadd, 21 February 2025
Photo courtesy of Tom Johnson

Sara Dumit and Angela Meng

Join us in celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in health physics—past, present, and future. Throughout March, we'll spotlight both historical and contemporary women who have made a lasting impact in radiation protection.

Visit the HPS web page Celebrating Women in Radiation Protection to explore their achievements and submit nominations to help us recognize more outstanding women in our field.

And don't forget—Saturday, 8 March, is International Women's Day! Let's take this opportunity to honor and uplift the women shaping the future of radiation protection.

The Central Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Health Physics Society and Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center present "Human Use Research with Radiation and Radioactive Materials." This dinner meeting will be held Thursday, 13 March 2025, at Anschutz Medical Campus, Education 2 North, Room 1103, 13120 E 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045 (please enter through the south doors).

Speakers include:

• Andy Halloran, MS, CHP, University of Colorado Anschutz Radiation Safety Officer
• Deirdre Elder, MS, CHP, UCHealth Radiation Safety Manager
• Cheri Douglas, MS, CHP, Colorado Associates in Medical Physics
• Matthew Gift, MS, CHP, Compliance Lead, Radioactive Materials, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• Katherine Liberman, X-Ray Certification Unit Leader, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Dinner begins at 5:30 pm and the presentation begins at 6:30 pm (note we are starting 30 minutes earlier than usual). The $15 cost includes a light dinner. Please RSVP by 5 pm on Tuesday, 11 March, using this link: CRMCHPS March 13 RSVP.

The March course offerings have been posted on the Course Listings page of the HPS website. Information on the following courses is available:

Air Sampling for Radioactive Materials—ORAU's Professional Training Programs

Occupational Internal Dosimetry—ORAU's Professional Training Program

Laser Safety Officer (LSO) Training—Kentek Corporation

Certification Review Course Part I and Self Study Course Part I—Bevelacqua Resources

Certification Review Course Part II and Self Study Course Part II—Bevelacqua Resources

Since the 2024 Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting in Orlando, members of the HPS Accredited Standards Committee N13 continue to be actively involved and meet on a regular basis to ensure that the HPS N13 Standards are current. The past few months were quite busy, with the following activity:

• N13.3 Reaffirmation "Dosimetry for Criticality Accidents" – approval date of final action 6 January 2025
• N13.32-2018 (R2024) Reaffirmation "Performance Testing of Extremity Dosimeters" – approval date of final action 20 November 2024
• N13.41 (R2024) "Criteria for Performing Multiple Dosimetry" – approval date of final action 3 December 2024
• N13.44-2014 (R2024) Reaffirmation "Thyroid Phantom Used in Occupational Monitoring" – approval date of final action 20 August 2024

PDS Deans Ramona Gaza, PhD, and Charles Wilson IV, PhD, CHP, CLSO, CSP

The Health Physics Society (HPS) Professional Development School (PDS) on nonionizing radiation protection will be held 1–4 April 2025 at the Hilton Birmingham at UAB, 808 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Sponsored by the HPS Nonionizing Radiation Section, this is a 3½-day PDS, immediately following the HPS 2025 Workshop, that will cover the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum.

This course provides attendees with an overview of nonionizing radiation protection, including theory, biological effects, instrumentation, hazard assessments, control strategies, exposure standards, and regulations. The agenda is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge for individuals who need a clear overview of nonionizing radiation essentials.

It is well suited for the those beginning their career in the nonionizing realm, as well as for the experienced health physicist seeking a refresher. The university, medical, US Department of Energy, US Department of Defense, and industry communities may all benefit from the material being presented. The topics covered in this course include Electromagnetic Theory, DC Fields, EME Fields, Incoherent Light (Infrared, Visible, and UV), and Lasers.

The lead instructors for this program include Ken Barat, CLSO; Don Haes, CHP, CLSO; Dwayne Holcomb, CHP, CLSO; Ramona Gaza, PhD; Fred McWilliams, CHP; and David Sliney, PhD.

Please consider attending and Register here.

Hilton Birmingham UAB website

Craig Little, Nominating Committee Chair

The Health Physics Society (HPS) ship isn't sinking, but it needs crew to keep it on the correct path. In this case, the crew is Board members and officers. To keep the ship operating safely, the Nominating Committee needs willing candidates to agree to be considered for the open positions of President-elect (2 candidates), Secretary-elect (2 candidates), and Board Member (4 candidates) to take office at the 2026 HPS Annual Meeting. Please help us! We need names to consider, so think about your future involvement with the Society and also that of your talented and committed friends.

Individuals, committees, chapters, and sections can suggest and support names of willing nominees. If you have an associate or colleague who has been active in HPS and wants to try being a Board member or an officer, encourage them to submit their name; ask their section, chapter, or committee to do so; or nominate them yourself. If they've run before, but not been chosen or elected, we encourage trying again by letting the committee know of that interest. To submit a nomination or receive more information, contact a member of the Nominating Committee or committee Chair Craig Little. 

Ken Gavlik, Section President
Kevin Banks, Section President-elect

Call for Abstracts

The Health Physics Society (HPS) Decommissioning Section is issuing a call for abstracts for the 70th HPS Annual Meeting, which will be held 13–17 July 2025 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Members are encouraged to submit abstracts (and later presentations or posters) describing their decommissioning topics and projects, focusing on unique solutions and lessons learned.

When submitting, please specify that you would like your presentation to be included in the Decommissioning Special Session. The deadline for abstract submission has been extended to 7 March 2025. Abstracts should be submitted through the 2025 HPS Abstract Submission page,

Abstracts should not be submitted via email.

Other Matters

One thing the section Board would like to do is initiate a monthly spotlight on current decommissioning projects, regulatory issues, and/or recent Health Physics Journal papers relevant to decommissioning. We intend to do this through monthly webinars. Please reach out to us with your interest.

We look forward to hearing your feedback via email (President Ken Gavlik, President-elect Kevin Banks).

Brant Ulsh, CHP, PhD, Health Physics Editor in Chief

Just when I thought spring was right around the corner, we got another polar vortex. Last week, 80s and shorts. This week – back to hats and gloves. Luckily, I have the April issue of Health Physics to take my mind off the winter that seems like it just won't give up. Here is what you will find in this month's issue:

• "Protecting Our Own: A Method for Reducing Breast Radiation Exposure in Healthcare Workers" by Lauren Zammerilla Westcott et al.
• "Dosimetry Testing for a New In Vivo X-Ray Fluorescense Measurement System" by Chandler J. Burgos et al.
• "Ionizing Radiation Dose to the Skin Assessed after Rapid Detection of ²³²Th in Consumer Products" by Christine Karbiwnyk et al.
• "Lutetium-177 Therapy in Italy: Environmental Impact Assessment in Anticipation of Its Widespread Use in Prostate Cancer Treatment" by Anna Brusa et al.
• "Cosmic Radiation Exposure: A Review of Recent Research on the Incidence and Prevention of Cancer in Aircrews" by Lisa D. Eckhardt
• "Ultra-Low to Moderate Radiation Level Neutron Dosimetry Measurements with H*10-TMFD vs. ROSPEC, Eberlilne, and Ludlum Detector Systems" by Stepan Ozerov et al.
• "Electret Production and Applications with Special Regard to Health Physics Dosimetry: A Review" by Mehdi Sohrabi and Sahel Rabiee
• "Waveforms of 4G and 5G Radiofrequency Signals: Are Differences Relevant to Biology or Health?" by Kenneth R. Foster et al.

Grab a blanket in front of the fire one last time this year (hopefully), and check out the April issue of Health Physics!

Charles Wilson, Continuing Education Programs Chair

Are you looking forward to the upcoming 70th Health Physics Society Annual Meeting, which will be held 13–17 July 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin? Do you want to share your wisdom or experience? The Continuing Education Programs (CEP) Committee is calling for you to be a part of the program! Please click here to submit your proposed Professional Enrichment Program (PEP) or Continuing Education Lecture (CEL) course.

PEPs (90+ minutes and most likely to be held Sunday) and CELs (less than one hour and held during the week) will be renumerated at the normal HPS rates.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact CEP Chair Charles Wilson. The (only and final) submission deadline is 28 March 2025. Authors will be notified in April.

We are also still looking for more abstracts for the scientific program! Click here to submit yours now.

Nominations deadline is 1 March for most awards.

Elizabeth Brackett, Awards Committee Chair

The Health Physics Society (HPS) annual meeting takes a lot of preparation, so planning starts early. Now is the time to start thinking about awards that will be presented at the 70th HPS Annual Meeting, which will be held 13–17 July 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. I've heard rumblings recently that the same small group of people seem to get all the recognition, so now is your chance to nominate a deserving individual.

The Society has several awards designed to recognize the achievements of our members and, in some cases, nonmembers who have made significant contributions to the field of health physics. Complete details of the criteria and nomination requirements for each award can be found in HPS Rule 13. All nominations must be submitted to the HPS Awards Committee chair. A brief summary of each award is given here.

The following require nominations be made by chapter presidents, section presidents, or a petition of any six members and are due 1 March.

• Elda E. Anderson: Presented to a young member of HPS to recognize excellence in research or development, discovery or invention, devotion to health physics, or significant contributions to the profession of health physics.
• Distinguished Scientific Achievement: Recognition for accomplishments of fundamental importance to the practice, acceptance, and advancement of the profession of health physics.
• Founders: Recognizes exceptional service to the HPS or the health physics profession.
• Robley D. Evans Commemorative Medal: Acknowledges specific outstanding scientific achievement that emulates the scientific characteristics, principles, integrity, and stature associated with and characterized by Professor Robley D. Evans, a past president of the HPS.
• Distinguished Public Service: Recognition for accomplishments of fundamental importance to the practice, acceptance, and advancement of health physics or for public education in radiation science that is above and beyond the normal, accepted performance for the position held.
• Geoffrey G. Eichholz Outstanding Science Teacher: Honors teachers of grades K–12 who have made significant contributions to educating students in topics related to the field of radiation safety.

Student Science Award nominations can be made by any full member of the Society or by a chapter or section of the Society. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by students in grades 6–12 to the understanding of the applications of radiation and its impact on the environment and health. These nominations have a deadline of 30 May.

Nominations for the Fellow Award, which honors senior members of the Society who have made significant administrative, educational, and/or scientific contributions to the profession of health physics and/or the Society, can be made by voting members of HPS. The deadline for nominations is 1 March.

Steve Grimm, Section President

The Academic, Industrial, and Research Radiation Safety Section (AIRRS) is seeking nominations, including self-nominations, for the following section board positions:

• President (one-year term as president-elect, two-year term as president, 2025–2028)
• Board Member (three-year term, 2025–2028)

Board membership is a great way to get active in the Society and work with other Health Physics Society (HPS) members with mutual interests. Board members are expected to attend Executive Board meetings (usually quarterly) to discuss planning for special sessions at the annual HPS meeting, AIRRS initiatives, AIRRS awards, and any other special projects that may come up. More information on officer roles is listed on the AIRRS Section Bylaws.

Please submit your nominations (including a brief biosketch) to the AIRRS Section officers by 1 April 2025 to be considered for the ballot. All officers and board members must be HPS AIRRS Section members in good standing to run.

The Academic, Industrial, and Research Radiation Safety (AIRRS) Section of the Health Physics Society (HPS) will be offering a travel grant again this year for health physics professionals to attend the 2025 HPS Annual Meeting. The travel grant recipient can receive up to $2,500.

Eligibility criteria for travel grant applications include:

• Presenting a paper or poster during the annual meeting.
• Being an HPS member in good standing who is also a member of the AIRRS Section.

Consideration will be given to individuals who otherwise would not receive travel assistance from their institution or employer.

The application form is available on the AIRRS Section web page. Applications are due by 1 April 2025.

Mike Lewandowski, FHPS, CHP, Local Arrangements Committee

Spring is right around the corner and it's now time to start planning for the 70th Annual HPS Annual Meeting in Madison. The meeting microsite was recently launched. The Local Arrangements Committee (LAC), Program Committee, and Headquarters staff will be adding information to this site over the next few months to make it easier for you to plan your visit to Madison.

Screenshot of annual meeting microsite taken on 25 February 2025

We encourage you to check out this site every few weeks to see what's new. The LAC will be adding the following categories of information for you:

• Social and technical tours led by an LAC member
• Activities you can do on your own, including recommendations for families
• Our favorite restaurants, watering holes, and cheese shops
• Details on the 5K run/walk

Now is the time to visit the Lodging and Travel section of the microsite and reserve a room for the meeting.

If you have questions about the meeting or Madison, feel free to contact our LAC Cochairs Jessica Joyce and Jason Rusch.

Students, it is time to apply for awards to help toward your health physics education. The Students area of the Health Physics Society (HPS) website offers an abundance of information on scholarships, fellowships, and grants available to health physics students.

For 2025, HPS is offering several scholarships and fellowships. The HPS also offers travel grants for HPS member students planning to attend the next annual meeting of the HPS. The application process is open and the deadline for submission of applications for scholarships, fellowships, and travel grants is 19 March 2025.

Click here to access the scholarships and fellowships application form.

Click here to access the travel grant application form.

Advisors and HPS members, please encourage health physics students you know to apply soon.

Health Physics Society (HPS) President Emeritus Edward F. Maher died 26 July 2024. Ed's obituary can be found on the HPS website In Memoriam page.

Health Physics Society President Emeritus Nolan Hertel has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Randall S. Caswell Award for Distinguished Achievements in the Field of Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards by the Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards (CIRMS).

The CIRMS stated in its letter to Hertel:

Your contributions to radiation protection and measurement science have been truly remarkable. As a pioneer in neutron dosimetry and radiation shielding, you have shaped international standards through your leadership on key committees, including the ANSI/ANS 6.1.1 working group on fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients and the development of ICRU Report 95, which established operational quantities for external radiation exposure.

Your tenure as CIRMS President advanced national measurement standards, while your three decades at Georgia Institute of Technology and work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have left an indelible mark on our field.

CIRMS went on to say that Hertel's dedication while supervising over 80 graduate student PhD dissertations and MS theses and his innovations in detector materials and radiation detection instruments "exemplifies the kind of impactful leadership that the Caswell Award celebrates."

The Randall S. Caswell Award will be presented on 9 April 2025 at the CIRMS annual meeting, where Hertel will give the Caswell Award lecture. More information about the award can be found on the CIRMS website.

Do you have professional health physics books you no longer use but that would be helpful to someone else in the field? As you clean out your office, consider listing the books you want to share on the HP Professional Book Sharing page on the Health Physics Society (HPS) website.

Are you looking for professional health physics books, but have a limited budget? Peruse the titles on the HP Professional Book Sharing page and see if any fit your needs. Then contact the person giving away the book to arrange shipping. The book giver and receiver are responsible for arranging and paying for shipping. The upcoming annual meeting would be a good time to deliver books to each other to avoid having to ship them.

To have a book that you want to give away listed on the page, email HPS News Editor Mary Walchuk a photo of the cover; the title, author, publisher, and publication date; and your email address and we will list your book(s).

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents Committee is looking for a volunteer who can help guide the organization regarding ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Ideally the individual would have some general background knowledge of industrial hygiene but, most importantly, should be willing to support other authors on the committee when drafting new threshold limit values.

For more information and to express interest in this opportunity, please contact ACGIH Executive Director Phillip Rauscher, 513-742-6176, prauscher@acgih.org, www.acgih.org.

Ben Giese

Photo courtesy of Dr. Thomas Johnson

Photo courtesy of Dr. Thomas Johnson

Photo courtesy of Connor Williams

Through the Mountains & Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC) and in collaboration with Colorado State University (CSU) alumni at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a group of five students from CSU and the University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Campus visited INL for a week in early January 2025. This trip allowed the students to see what life was like working at a national laboratory and how health physics is used in the field. While at INL, the students were able to tour many of the facilities involving both environmental cleanup/management and the design of new fuels and materials for modern reactor technologies.

Students were able to tour the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC), where fuel rods are prepared for analysis within large lead and concrete "hot cells" where workers use mechanical arms to manipulate the objects within the cell. These hot cells allow the workers to work with material that would be too dangerous without the mechanical arms and thick shielding. Students were also given the opportunity to learn how to get dressed up in protective Tyvek® suits to do work in areas that are contaminated with radioactive material. It was a great experience learning the process of getting into the suits and then getting out of them without contaminating the street clothes underneath.

The students had the opportunity to talk with several radiation control technicians about their day-to-day work at INL, which allowed the students to see life at INL from a different point of view from the radiological engineer, who is the gracious CSU alumnus who hosted the group.

CSU alumni, radiological engineer, and history buff Connor Williams arranged a tour of Experimental Breeder Reactor 1 (EBR-1), which lies on the INL site and is open for tours in the summer. EBR-1 was once a power plant that supplied power to INL and was the first breeder reactor to produce more fissile isotopes than it consumed. It now serves as a piece of history that you can walk through and see what the inside of a nuclear power plant looks like.

Very few university students have the ability to tour a national laboratory, but thanks to the MAP ERC and our alumni, we were able to visit two sites.

Tom Johnson

The Central Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Health Physics Society (CRMCHPS) met on 30 January 2025, and Marcia Anderson, CHP, gave a fantastic overview of accelerator health physics. Her talk included interesting information about a variety of accelerator types as well as multiple standards and references that provide useful support for any health physicist working with an accelerator. Marcia felt that ANSI Standard N43.1 (2011), "Radiation Safety for the Design and Operation of Particle Accelerators" was very well done and is essential to any type of particle accelerator. The talk was attended by both CRMCHPS members and members of the HPS student branch from Colorado State University.

Attendees at the January 2025 CRMCHPS meeting
Photo courtesy of Tom Johnson

Congratulations to the Health Physics Society (HPS) officer and Board of Directors members who will take office in July at the 2025 HPS Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin.

Treasurer-elect
Deirdre Elder

Director
George Tabatadze

Director
Zach Tribbett

Bridget Smith, Chapter Secretary

The San Diego Chapter of the Health Physics Society (HPS) kicked off 2025 with an online meeting. Our members enjoyed a fascinating talk about nuclear gauges by HPS President-elect Mike Lewandowski.

Our March meeting will feature a talk by Dr. Dan Scanderbeg, a University of California San Diego professor and the associate director of the Division of Medical Physics. He will be speaking on his work with InfrGard Partnership for Protection as well as innovations in medical physics.

We welcome new members and affiliate members from Southern California who are interested in professional development and outreach to the health physics community. With both online and in-person meetings, members have many ways to learn, participate, and get involved.

Laura Atwell, NCRP Director of Operations

The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) 2025 Annual Meeting—"The Million Person Study: Current Results and Vision for Radiation Epidemiology and Protection"—will be held 24–25 March in Bethesda, Maryland. Registration is free this year.

Visit the NCRP website for more information and to register.

The Gilbert W. Beebe Symposium is hosting a two-day workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications in radiation therapy/oncology, diagnostics, and occupational health and safety on 13–14 March 2025.

The symposium will include a community discussion on algorithm development and pathways to success, a focus on future directions and opportunities in AI/ML methods and technology to advance the fields of the radiation health sciences, and discussions on the intentionality of data collection for algorithm development and training, as well as focused breakout sessions on current and emerging applications of AI and ML in the radiation health science fields.

Sessions will consider such topics as:

1. Broader AI Community Discussions
2. Future Directions and Opportunities for AI/ML Applications in the Radiation Health Sciences
3. Data for AI Readiness
4. AI in the Clinic – Applications in Radiation Oncology and Medical Diagnostics
5. AI Applications in Occupational and Public Health
6. AI Applications in Predictive Modeling
7. Education and Workforce Development
8. AI Regulations and Ethics

Register now for the Gilbert W. Beebe Symposium on AI and ML Applications in Radiation Therapy, Medical Diagnostics, and Radiation Occupational Health and Safety to stay updated on future announcements, including the public agenda.

Visit the event web page to register and for additional details. If you have a question about this event, email NRSB@nas.edu.

IRPA 16 Young Professionals holding their certificates
Submitted photo

US Delegation to IRPA 16: Front row left to right, Sara Dumit, Caleigh Samuels, Carolyn MacKenzie, Kevin Nelson, Mike Mahathy, Elizabeth Brackett, Latha Vasudevan, Emily Caffrey, Kendall Berry, and Mike Boyd. Back row left to right, Scott Schwahn, Derek Jokisch, Jonathan Napier, Mike Lewandowski, Nolan Hertel, and Charles Wilson.
Submitted photo

Health Physics Society Women in Radiation Protection Section social event at IRPA 16/69th HPS Annual Meeting
Submitted photo

Held jointly by the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) and the Health Physics Society (HPS), the IRPA 16/69th HPS Annual Meeting took place 7–12 July 2024 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. The schedule on Monday, 9 July, included the Opening Ceremony, Keynote Lecture, Sievert Lecture, Plenary Panel #1, and Plenary Panel #2.

Photos courtesy of Stan Bravenac

Opening Ceremony Remarks

Kevin Nelson
IRPA 16 Congress President

Bernard le Guen
IRPA President

Elizabeth Brackett
HPS President

Renate Czarwinski
IRPA 16 Program Committee Chair

Charles Wilson
Task Force Chair
HPS Program Committee

Opening Ceremony Keynote Lecture

Norman Thagard
NASA (Retired)

Sievert Lecture

Dr. María del Rosario Pérez
La Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear Board of Directors Advisor

Plenary Panel #1: "The Systems of RP for Ionising & Non-Ionising Radiation"

Plenary Panel #1, left to right, John O'Hagan (Cochair), Emilie van Deventer, Sigurður Magnús Magnússon, Kathryn A. Higley, Werner Rühm, Sara Dumit (Rapporteur), Rodney Croft, and Christopher Clement (Chair)

Plenary Panel #2: Current Status of the Scientific Basis for Radiation Safety, Protection Recommendations, and International Standards

Plenary Panel #2, left to right, John Damilakis, Charles Wilson (Rapporteur), Jing Chen, Pete Bryant, Renate Czarwinski (Cochair), Thierry Schneider, Hildegarde Annie A. Vandenhove, Shengli Niu, Bernard le Guen, and Kevin Nelson (Chair)

HPS Web Operations

Stephen Samson Mkoloma, left, accepts his book from HPS News Editor Mary Walchuk
Submitted photo

Stephen Samson Mkoloma from Dar es Salaam Tanzania won a copy of Fundamentals of Health Physics & Radiation Protection, by Philip C. Fulmer, at the HPS Publications Booth book drawing at the IRPA 16/69th HPS Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

We gave away more than 50 great books and enjoyed meeting and talking with so many people about HPS publications and the HPS website!

Thank you to the authors, editors, and publishers who donated over $4,000 worth of books, including fiction and nonfiction, covering a wide range of topics.

If you saw a book that you would like, but didn't win, click on the links below for ordering information.

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer – Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin (available from Penguin Random House, ISBN 9780375726262)

An Introduction to Radiation Protection in Medicine – Edited by Jamie V. Trapp and Tomas Kron (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN 9781584889649)

The Atomic City Girls – Janet Beard (available from HarperCollinsPublishers, ISBN: 9780062666710)

At Work in the Atomic City: A Labor and Social History of Oak Ridge, Tennessee – Russell B. Olwell (available from The University of Tennessee Press, ISBN 13: 978-1-57233-644-5, ISBN 10: 1-57233-644-7)

City Behind a Fence: Oak Ridge, Tennessee 1942–1946 – Charles W. Johnson and Charles O. Jackson (available from The University of Tennessee Press, ISBN: 978-0-87049-309-6)

Critical Connections: The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge from the Dawn of the Atomic Age to the Present – Lee Riedinger, Al Ekkebus, Ray Smith, and William Bugg (available from The University of Tennessee Press, ISBN 13: 978-1621906544, ISBN 10: 162190654X)

Dead Hot – M.K. Coker (available from Amazon, ISBN-10: 1545120609, ISBN-13: ‎978-1545120606)

Decommissioning Health Physics: A Handbook for MARRSIM Users, Second Edition – Eric W. Abelquist (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780367867133)

Environmental Health, Fourth Edition – Dade W. Moeller (available from Harvard University Press, ISBN: 9780674047402)

Fundamentals of Health Physics & Radiation Protection – Dr. Philip C. Fulmer (available from Amazon, ISBN-13: ‎979-8989597901)

The Girls of Atomic City – Denise Kernan (available from Simon & Schuster, ISBN: 978-1-4516-1752-8)

The Health Physics Solutions Manual, Third Edition – Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169051, ISBN-13: 978-1929169054)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot (available from Penguin Random House, ISBN 978-1-4000-5218-9)

Khan’s The Physics of Radiation Therapy, Sixth Edition – John P. Gibbons (available from Wolters Kluwer, ISBN: 9781496397522)

Laser Safety Management – Ken Barat (available from CRC Press, ISBN 9780824723071)

Low Dose Radiation: The History of the U.S. Department of Energy Research Program – Antone L. Brooks (available from WSU Press, ISBN: 978-0-87422-354-5)

Nuclear Medicine Physics: A Handbook for Teachers and Students – D.L. Bailey, J.L. Humm, A. Todd-Pokropek, and A. van Aswegen (available from International Atomic Energy Agency, ISBN: 978-92-0-143810-2)

Principles of Nuclear Radiation Detection – Geoffrey G. Eichholz and John W. Poston (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9781315895970)

Quantitative Environmental Risk Analysis for Human Health, Second Edition – Robert A. Fjeld, Timothy A. DeVol, and Nicole E. Martinez (available from Wiley, ISBN: 978-1-119-67532-7)

Radiation Answers: Answers to Your Questions About Radiation and You – Health Physics Society (out of print, ISBN: 978-0-9825161-0-2)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Guide for Technologists, Second Edition – Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-16-0, ISBN-13: 978-1929169160)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Workbook for Technologists – Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169078, ISBN-13: 978-1929169078)

Radiation Protection: Solutions Manual – David J. Dolan and Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169153, ISBN-13: 978-1929169153)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Guide for Canadian Technologists – Thomas E. Johnson and Francis E. Tourneur (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-17-7, ISBN-13: 978-1929169-17-7)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Workbook for Canadian Technologists – Thomas E. Johnson and Francis E. Tourneur (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-21-4, ISBN-13: 978-1929169-21-4)

Radiation Protection: Canadian Solutions Manual – David J. Dolan, Francis E. Tourneur, and Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-18-4, ISBN-13: 978-1929169-18-4)

Radiation Protection in Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology – Edited by Richard J. Vetter and Magdalena S. Stoeva (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 978-0-367-57521-2)

Radiation Risks in Perspective – Kenneth L. Mossman (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780367453435)

Radioactive Air Sampling Methods – Edited by Mark L. Maiello and Mark D. Hoover (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780849397172)

Radiobiology for the Radiologist, Eighth Edition – Eric J. Hall and Amato J. Giaccia (available from Wolters Kluwer, ISBN-13: 978-1-4963-3541-8, ISBN-10: 1-4963-3541-4)

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women – Kate Moore (available from Sourcebooks, ISBN: 978-1-4926-5095-9)

Silent Source – Jim Smith (available from Amazon, ISBN: 978-1939398703)

Understanding Radiation Science: Basic Nuclear and Health Physics – James Mannie Shuler (available from Universal Publishers, ISBN: 1-58112-907-6)

X-Ray Imaging: Fundamentals, Industrial Techniques and Applications – Harry E. Martz, Jr., Clint M. Logan, Daniel J. Schneberk, and Peter J. Shull (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780849397721)

Charles Wilson and Emily Caffrey

The largest Health Physics Society (HPS) meeting in years just wrapped up. When new challenges occur, we have the opportunity to grow stronger. The HPS Program Committee tried several new things during the IRPA 16/69th HPS Annual Meeting and we are eager to get feedback from the rest of the community. A few specific highlights include:

1. CELs at 7:45 am and the technical program at 9:00 am.
2. Blind peer reviews of all abstracts.
3. Scheduled Q&A at the end of sessions.
4. More 20-minute talks.
5. Plenary Panel Discussions.

CELs (refresher courses) had a much higher attendance than usual. It seems like attendees appreciated the extra hour of sleep or being able to visit with colleagues a little later.

Our new program-management software includes the ability to digitally send out abstracts for blind review and ratings. For many reasons, we believe this will drastically improve the quality of the program. If you'd like to be a peer reviewer, please reach out to HPSPCannual@hps.org right after the abstract deadlines.

There were also challenges that we struggled with and hope to omit in the future. These included app duplication bugs, lack of Wi-Fi, visa complications, and a printed program. While not all of these are within our control, we can better prepare and organize for them. We plan to change the format of the printed program to include program at a glance, exhibitors, and notes only. This will increase our flexibility to respond to program changes after printing.

Do you have feedback on the meeting or recommendations for improvement? Reach out to us at HPSPCannual@hps.org!