AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of PHYSICISTS IN MEDICINE
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
AAPM NEWSLETTER Advancing the Science, Education and Professional Practice of Medical Physics
IN THIS ISSUE: ▶ Chair of the Board’s Report
▶ ABR News
▶ Expanding Our Clinical Role
▶ Treasurer’s Report
▶ Imaging Practice Accreditation Subcommittee Report
▶ IROC Report and more...
In conjunction with the American Brachytherapy Society
The course will provide an intense experience to cover state-of-the-art for clinical brachytherapy physics. Presentations will include the experiences from experts as well as discussion and dialogue with course attendees. Workshops will provide practical hands-on opportunities for attendees to gain experience on nine key aspects of clinical brachytherapy physics, with opportunities for
feedback from the faculty. The course textbook will capture the contents of the presentations and workshops, provide example forms and workflows, and include practical problems and explanative solutions. Course attendees will learn up-to-date methods for the responsibilities associated with clinical brachytherapy physics. *This event is not endorsed or sponsored by Lewis & Clark
DATES TO REMEMBER May 17
Deadline to reserve a room on campus [apartment singles are now sold out]
May 31
Last day to submit registration cancellation in writing and still receive a refund
June 10
Evaluation System opens
July 14
Evaluation System closes. Last day to evaluate the Summer School for MPCEC, SAM and MDCB credit
August 8
CE Credits posted
www.aapm.org/meetings/2017SS/
CONTENTS ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE 5 13 17 21 23 25 29 33 35 37
Chair of the Board’s Report Executive Director’s Report Treasurer’s Report ABR News Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Report Health Policy & Economic Issues Imaging Practice Accreditation Subcommittee Report AAPM Childcare Survey Follow Up The Evolving Role of the Medical Physicist in CT Imaging IROC Report
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
AAPM NEWSLETTER The AAPM NEWSLETTER is published by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine on a bi-monthly schedule. AAPM is located at 1631 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2818
EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS 2 4 7 15 18 19 20 24 26 27 28 30 32 34 39
AAPM 2017 Summer School AAPM 2017 Annual Meeting & Exhibition Dates to Remember AAPM 2017 Annual Meeting & Exhibition Program Information Career Services Condolences — AAPM Deceased Members 2017 BEST Medical/AAPM Travel Fellowship AAPM 2017 Career Expo AAPM 2017 Expanding Horizons Travel Grant 2017 AAPM Elections 2017 RSNA AAPM 2018 Spring Clinical Meeting AAPM 2017 Awards, Achievements & Honors Recipients AAPM 2017 Annual Meeting & Exhibition — New Member Symposium Med Phys 3.0 AAPM Certificate of Completion Course
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor Jessica B. Clements, MS Kaiser Permanente E-mail: JessicaClements@gmail.com Phone: 818-502-5180 John M. Boone, PhD Robert Jeraj, PhD George C. Kagadis, PhD E. Ishmael Parsai, PhD Charles R. Wilson, PhD SUBMISSION INFORMATION Please send submissions (with pictures when possible) to: E-mail: nvazquez@aapm.org AAPM Headquarters Attn: Nancy Vazquez 1631 Prince Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (571) 298-1300
NAVIGATION HELP Previous/Next Article
PUBLISHING SCHEDULE The AAPM Newsletter is produced bi-monthly. Next issue: July/August Submission Deadline: June 9, 2017 Posted Online: Week of July 2, 2017
Tap the arrows at the bottom of the page to go to the next or previous page. EDITOR’S NOTE I welcome all readers to send me any suggestions or comments on any of the articles or new features to make this a more effective and engaging publication and to enhance the overall readership experience. Thank you.
CONNECT WITH US!
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JUL 30–AUG 3
AAPM 2017 DATES TO REMEMBER May 9
Housing and Registration open!
June 21
Deadline to Receive Early Registration Fees. •
Housing reservation deadline
•
Deadline to cancel housing reservation without a $25 cancellation fee
•
Fees for registration will be refunded in full if written notice of cancellation is received by July 5, 2017
July 5
This Year at AAPM: •
Interact with vendors and learn about the latest technology. Evaluate new equipment to inform purchasing decisions.
•
Earn continuing education credit by attending scientific, educational, and professional presentations.
•
Pick the sessions you want to attend and get the credit you need — AAPM is scheduling more sessions that offer SAM.
•
Share knowledge and solutions, catch up with colleagues, and compare notes on similar clinical issues.
For the most up-to-date meeting and abstract submission information, visit www.aapm.org/meetings/2017AM/
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
CHAIR OF THE BOARD’S REPORT Bruce H. Curran, MEng, Richmond, VA
I
t’s Monday evening (I’m a bit late in submitting this column so you may blame a late release of the Newsletter on me) and I’m sitting at home — first weekday I’ve been home before 7:00 pm in months — but still with work in front of me. I’ve been ruminating about the changes our profession has seen over the past 40 years. In addition to the usual tasks most of us do (machine and patient QA, teaching, research, and reviewing and updating policies/procedures), I’ve spent most of the last three months being the IT lead, working on database audits for our treatment management system, planning the transition to a new treatment planning system, and, this past weekend, bringing systems back up after an extended power outage for hospital electrical systems servicing. Fortunately for me, recognizing that many of you don’t have this luxury, I have the benefit of a great group of medical physicists (Priyanka Kapoor, Tim Ritter, Josh Evans, and Rabten Datsang) that take care of much of the routine treatment planning and chart QA, leaving me the responsibility for IT QA among other things. Overall, our jobs and responsibilities continue to increase in this rapidly changing environment; it’s hard to predict how our profession will evolve over the next few years, but we know it will change, and most likely change rapidly. Unfortunately, the downward pressures on medical expenses will likely not lead to financial recognition for the added work we are required (“encouraged”) to take on, be it in research, teaching, or the clinic.
This leads me to the efforts undertaken by AAPM over the past two and a half years in looking at the strategic development of AAPM. I have been involved in AAPM leadership for nearly 40 years, starting as Membership Committee Chair in 1981. I have watched the senior leadership (Board, EXCOM, and council chairs) become increasingly consumed by the day-to-day needs of both their ‘day jobs’ and the operations of AAPM, leaving little time to consider how AAPM can strategically position medical physicists and the organization for the future. AAPM has become more and more reactive rather than proactive to changes in the healthcare environment, whereas our skills as problem solvers and quality improvement experts should have resulted in recognition of our leadership abilities in our departments and institutions. We need to change AAPM and ourselves to be more outreaching in our efforts to develop our leadership skills as well as positioning AAPM to help members achieve recognition. I am happy to say that neither AAPM nor its members are idle in working to change this situation. Efforts such as Medical Physics 3.0 (Ehsan Samei and Todd Pawlicki), the Medical Physics Leadership Academy (Jessica Clements and Jennifer Johnson), and the 2016 AAPM Summer School (Jennifer Johnson and Bob Pizzutiello) are providing medical physicists with great resources and opportunities to improve their skills and awareness in their careers. MP 3.0 and the MPLA continue to work on programs for the 2017 Annual Meeting as well as resources that chapters will be able to incorporate into their meeting programs. AAPM must evolve as well. We are an incredibly productive organization, but not without areas for quality improvement. We commit or expend significant resources that do not result in ‘product’ tools and resources to help our members succeed. For the past two years, a review has been undertaken by the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Assessment, with the support and participation of the Board of Directors and the Strategic Planning Committee, looking at how AAPM might be structured if we started a new organization today. We have examined many aspects of AAPM’s leadership, council and committee structure, and how we work with members to advance their skills and our profession. The issues we face today are quite different from what we faced when AAPM was created in the 60s (actually 1958 – 1975).
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AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
Chair of the Board, cont.
Our current structure has tended to discourage communication among different groups within the association, particularly as our membership has grown and our interests varied. I believe, along with the Ad Hoc Committee, that AAPM needs to restructure and re-focus leadership to create a more effective organization in support of its members. The Ad Hoc Committee has presented its recommendations and conclusions to the Board over the past 18 months, seeking their guidance and support. The membership has also been surveyed (for the first time in over 10 years) to help identify the directions and programs AAPM should pursue. The result of this effort has been a proposal, approved by the Board this past March, for new By-laws of the Association, recommending a smaller, more strategically focused Board and a newly created Operations Committee, encompassing the previous Executive Committee as well as elected Council vice-chairs, that focuses on continuing the incredible “product” that AAPM and its members create. The Councils have been re-structured into five re-purposed Councils: Science, Education, Clinical Practice, Regional Organizations, and Member Services. New webpages have been created on the AAPM site describing these changes as well as the AAPM Governance Quality Improvement Project, which will be discussed this summer at the Annual Business Meeting and then presented to the membership for a vote. I encourage you to learn about these changes and then vote when the ballot is released in August. Finally, I want to thank all of you who participated in the (previously mentioned) Member Survey last fall. The results of that survey will be distributed to the membership, along with some summary analyses of the findings of the survey and discussion of possible changes than may result from the data received. n
AAPM Board of Directors, Spring Clinical Meeting, March 2017
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he theme for AAPM's 2017 Annual Meeting is “Connecting Our Pathways. Unifying Our Profession.” As many of us have observed in recent times, our profession of medical physics that had been functioning in fairly discrete segments not that long ago is now moving together at a rapid pace: Imaging with dual mode capabilities such as PET/CT or PET/MR and Therapeutic Modalities incorporating MR or X-ray localization immediately prior to energizing the treatment beam to ensure accurate placement of the treatment dose. Imaging is now an integral part of a radiation oncology department to the extent that radiation oncology physicists must be thoroughly familiar with all types of imaging modalities. The accuracy of treatment planning is totally dependent on the accuracy of the imaging information available for the patient. How we integrate the training of each of the current disciplines in medical physics is crucial to the success of our field in the future.
The Presidential Symposium this year will feature leading physicians speaking on the integration of each of the three branches of medical physics: diagnostic imaging physics, nuclear medical physics and radiation oncology physics, into their practice. Their outlook concerning future developments that may be occurring as we speak with other modalities, particularly with the incorporation of the immunological therapy agents and genomic sequencing, will provide us valuable insights into our potential future work. The radiology profession has already incorporated Imaging 3.0 into their practice as we incorporate Medical Physics 3.0 into ours. This year’s Annual Meeting in the Mile-High City of Denver will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase the highlights of our profession, which requires that all of us work together to bring into the clinic those exciting and significant developments being made by our researchers. Only when we utilize all of the talents of our multi-faceted profession will true success be obtained in providing the best possible diagnosis and treatment of our patients. Our Annual Meeting provides unique opportunities for you to share your scientific and clinical knowledge and skills. Ensure your professional development for the sake of our future in the field of Medical Physics by attending this year’s Annual Meeting in the Mile-High City. —Melissa C. Martin, 2017 AAPM President
NEW AND EXCITING FEATURES THIS YEAR… • New Symposium Structure and Special Joint Symposium at
this Year’s Annual Meeting Each year the Professional Council and Education Council host symposia at the annual meeting on timely topics of interest to the membership. This year, the chairs of the four councils (Professional, Education, Science, and Administrative) are joining forces to have a coordinated set of symposia on the general theme of new trends in medical physics. There will be three symposia on Sunday morning, starting with the Professional Council Symposium on "New Trends in Medical Physics Professional Practice,” followed by a Joint Symposium co-sponsored by all four councils on the topic of “New Opportunities for Medical Physics.” The morning session will conclude with the Education Council Symposium on “Future Trends in Medical Physics Education.” The joint symposium will include talks about new research horizons, the important new skills needed for medical physicists across all work environments, and a look at the challenges and opportunities of medical physics around the world. We encourage members to attend these three symposia to get a broad view of new directions in the many facets of medical physics.
• Special 3-Day Program on Ultrasound covering advances
in ultrasound guided radiotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and diagnostic imaging (Monday – Wednesday, July 31 – August 2, 2017) • NEW and IMPROVED General ePoster Discussions
In addition to the moderated ePosters in the ePoster Theater, we will expand our ePoster capabilities and include ePoster stations throughout the lounge areas in the Exhibit Hall. General ePosters include a select group of high-scoring posters identified by the Program Directors to be of special interest to attendees of the scientific program. This is an alternative to the hardcopy general poster to allow the authors to present their general poster electronically at a large screen display, dedicated to only their poster during a specifically assigned 30-minute timeslot. These General ePoster presentations will occur in the ePoster Theater and throughout the Exhibit Hall promoting lively discussion and scientific exchange. • The Science Council Session — Big Data, Deep Learning,
and AI in Imaging and Radiation Oncology (see below).
All sessions and technical exhibits will take place in the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO. The education program and professional program will offer a significant opportunity to gain practical knowledge on emerging technical and professional issues. This year, the scientific program will also offer a special three-day track on Ultrasound.
New and Exciting Features (continued) • 2017 Certificate Course — A day-long track on Advanced
Imaging for Clinical Trials and Advanced Practice (see below) • Joint Scientific Symposium with the World Molecular Imaging
Society — Imaging Hypoxia • Joint Scientific Symposium with ESTRO — From Bench to
Bedside via veterinary Radiation Oncology • Distinguished Lectureships:
§ The Carson/Zagzebski Distinguished Lecture on Medical Ultrasound — Lihong Wang, Gene K. Beare Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, will present Photoacoustic Tomography: Multiscale Imaging from Organelles to Patients by Ultrasonically Beating Optical Diffusion. This presentation will be held during the diagnostic ultrasound imaging sessions within the Special 3-day Ultrasound Track. § The Anne and Donald Herbert Distinguished Lectureship in Modern Statistical Modeling — Daniel Krewski, PhD, MHA, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Chair in Risk Science, Professor and Director, McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa will discuss the statistical modeling involved in making conclusions from analysis of accumulated data on the effects of radiation at low doses.
• MR-in-RT Mini-Series: MR-in-RT is a multi-part course on
the role of MRI in radiation therapy, intended to offer comprehensive and focused education to both imaging and therapy physicists, including those who may have missed the MRgRT certificate course offered previously. Coordinated sessions will be held in the Imaging Education, Therapy Education, Professional, and Practical programs. • MPLA Leadership Session (Pre-registration required)
Tuesday, August 1, 2017 | 1:45-3:45 In the symposium, Leading From the Middle, experts in the field of Leadership Effectiveness will focus on methods to enhance and grow your current leadership skills focusing on networks and interactions to maximize performance and outcomes. Participation by each attendee is expected; space is limited for this interactive program. • Attend sessions aligned with your interest and get SAM
Credit: Similar to last year, with only a few exceptions, all invited sessions in the Education, Science, Professional, and Practical Tracks will offer SAM. SAM questions can be answered on your own following the completion of the session. Attendance is verified using a participation device on your badge. Registration for the Participation Device is required for the SAM Program. • Dedicated time in the meeting program for Visit the
Vendors. • Guided Tours on the Exhibit Floor. SAM credit will be offered.
Pre-registration required. See below. • Partners in Solutions — an exciting venue on the exhibit floor
(see below).
www.aapm.org/meetings/2017AM
CERTIFICATE COURSE — Beyond Clinical Imaging: The Role of the Medical Physicist in Clinical Trials and Response Assessment This year’s Certificate Course will be on Wednesday of the meeting (August 2) on the topic of “Beyond Clinical Imaging: The Role of the Medical Physicist in Clinical Trials and Response Assessment.” This course will be open to all registrants and will focus on the important roles that medical physicists — both diagnostic and therapeutic — play in clinical trials and in clinical practice where the assessment of patient response to treatment is being evaluated. This course will consist of 4 sessions: (a) an education session that will focus on clinical trials — both those using radiation therapy and those that involve diagnostic imaging — and on the roles that medical physicists may play in each; (b) an education session on advanced technologies such as MR-PET and MR/RT that are being used for trials and response assessment; (c) a scientific session with proffered talks on these topics and (d) a session that will describe several active clinical trial settings and the roles that medical physicists are playing now and in the future. All sessions aim to be relevant to both diagnostic and therapeutic medical physicists, will seek to identify the unique requirements
of trials compared to clinical practice and seeks to increase the communication between physicists in these important activities. All those who register for the AAPM meeting (weekly or Wednesday daily) will have access to these sessions as usual. The mini-track will also serve as the certificate course at this year’s meeting, which provides an in-depth review of a particular topic with verification of learning objectives through on-line homework. Attendees may enroll in the certificate program for an additional fee. Enrollment in the program entitles participants to dedicated seating in the mini-track sessions as well as additional online materials. Following the meeting, certificate program participants will be required to take an online examination which covers the material presented throughout the day-long mini-track. Enrollees who demonstrate satisfactory attendance at the course and successful completion of the online examination (available after the meeting) will receive a framed certificate of completion for this course.
SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM Therapy Track
Joint Imaging/Therapy Track
Symposia
Symposia
• Microscopic Monte Carlo Simulations for Radiobiology
• In Memoriam of Michael Sharpe: The Future of Precision in RT
• • • • • • •
Modeling: Advances and Challenges [SAM] QA for Modern Radiation Therapy [SAM] Joint Scientific Symposium with ESTRO: From Bench to Bedside via Veterinary Radiation Oncology [SAM] In Memoriam of John "Jack" F. Fowler: The Mathematics of Dose-fractionation Effects [SAM] The Role of Physics in Long Term Epidemiological Studies of Pediatric Radiotherapy Patients [SAM] Quantitative Imaging Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy [SAM] Recent Advances in Brachytherapy [SAM] Normal Tissue Dose-volume Effects of Head/Neck and Liver/ GI SBRT [SAM]
[SAM] • Machine Learning Role in Radiomics and Radiogenomics
[SAM] • Nanoparticles for Imaging and Therapy [SAM] • Radiomics for Lung Cancer [SAM] • Design for Care [SAM] • Roles of In-vivo Dose Verification in Radiation Therapy [SAM] • MR-guided Radiotherapy [SAM] • Optical Image-guided Surgery [SAM] • Research Funding [SAM] • ROC: A New Method in Radiotherapy QA [SAM] • Auto-segmentation for Thoracic Radiation Treatment
Planning: A Grand Challenge [SAM]
Imaging Track
• Advancements in MRI and MR-Guided Interventions [SAM]
Symposia
• FUTURE: Provocative Questions in Medical Physics
• Deep Learning and Applications in Medical Imaging [SAM] • 2017 ICRU Gray Medal: Presentation of the Medal and • • • •
Lectures by the Pioneers [SAM] Photon Counting Detectors and Their Applications in Medical Imaging [SAM] Non-conventional Multi-Source X-Ray Imaging: Cardiac, Breast Imaging and Cone Beam CT [SAM] Emerging and New Generation PET: Instrumentation, Technology, Characteristics and Clinical Practice [SAM] Low Dose CT: Where Do We Stand Now? [SAM]
Ultrasound (Special 3-Day Program) Symposia • Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy Hands-On Workshop • US Guidance for RT Interventions [SAM] • US Guided Systems for Brachytherapy [SAM] • Therapeutic Ultrasound and Immunotherapy: A Primer [SAM] • HIFU in Oncology • Advanced Novel Technologies & Delivery Strategies in HIFU • Therapeutic Strategies and Image Guidance in HIFU [SAM] • HIFU Treatment Planning, Modeling, and Dose • Advances in Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Diagnosis &
Therapy [SAM] • Advances in Ultrasound Imaging Technology [SAM] • Ultrasound in Monitoring Treatment Response [SAM]
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Therapy Track • In Memoriam of Michael Goitein: Milestones in Treatment
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Planning, Biophysical Modeling, and Delivery of Proton Therapy [SAM] In Memoriam of Bob Gorson: Radiation Programs in Medical Centers [SAM] MR in RT: MR Image Processing, Registration and Planning in Radiation Therapy [SAM] Clinical Implementation of Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) Proton Therapy Personalized Electron Beam Therapy using Custom Treatment Devices Medical Physics 3.0 in Design & in Practice (Joint Therapy & Imaging Session) [SAM] Big Data in Radiation Oncology: Current Resources, Technology & Emerging Strategies [SAM] Electronic Charting in Radiation Oncology and Integration with Hospital EMR [SAM] Best Practices for Physics Plan and Chart Review: Report of AAPM Task Group 275 [SAM] Strategies for Quality Improvement Based on RO-ILS Information [SAM] Contour Quality Assurance & Decision Support (Primer for the Auto-Segmentation Grand Challenge) [SAM] Machine Learning in Medical Physics Changing paradigms for linac QA using EPIDS [SAM] Intra-Operative Radiotherapy (IORT): Breast and Beyond [SAM] HDR Brachytherapy: Interstitial Treatments for GYN (Panel Discussion) & Methods of Treatment Verification [SAM] Developments in Clinical Reference Dosimetry [SAM] SRS/SBRT: Clinical Implementation and Small Volume Dose Limits for Intra-cranial and Spine [SAM] Inverse Optimization Meets High Performance Computing [SAM] Clinical IGRT: In-room Technologies, Image Processing for Patient Alignment, IGRT Protocol Considerations and Informed Margins [SAM]
• ALARA Debate • General Nuclear Medicine [SAM] • Advanced Breast Imaging: Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
• • • •
Updates and Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography [SAM] Implementation of the 2016 ACR Digital Mammography Quality Control Manual [SAM] Quantitative Multi-Energy Computed Tomography: Imaging and Therapy Advancements [SAM] How to select and evaluate a PET auto-segmentation (PETAS) tool - insights from AAPM TG211 [SAM] Computed Tomography Imaging: From the Order to Dose Monitoring and Review [SAM]
Practical Medical Physics • Tailoring CT Protocols to the Patient's Age, Size, and Clinical
Scenario • Statistical Failings that Keep Us in the Dark & Practical
Statistics [SAM] • From the Trenches: Implementing the Changes of the New
MR QA Manual [SAM] • Identifying Image Artifacts, Their Causes, and Solutions [SAM] • MR in RT: Implementation in RT Planning and Delivery [SAM] • Compliance with AAPM, ACR, TJC Guidelines on CT Clinical
Practice [SAM] • An Interactive Safety Session for New Brachytherapy
Practitioners [SAM] • Good, Bad and Ugly of Patient Exposure and Dose Tracking
[SAM] • Perspectives in MRI Safety for Medical Physicists [SAM] • Improving Dose Prescriptions for Safety, Reporting, and
Clinical Guideline Consistency [SAM] • Management of Radiotherapy Patients with Cardiac
Implantable Electronic Devices [SAM] • DBT Quality Assurance: Medical Physicists Role, From
Equipment Evaluation to Soft Copy Image Display [SAM]
Imaging Track • Multi-modality 4D Imaging: From Principles to Applications • MR in RT: MR Pulse Sequences and Image Acquisition
(Including Radiation Therapy Applications) [SAM] • EI DI Oh! Implementation and interpretation of the Exposure
Indicator for Digital Radiography [SAM] • A Concise Introduction to MRI [SAM] • Best Practices in Pediatric Imaging [SAM] • Anne and Donald Herbert Distinguished Lecture in Modern
Statistical Modeling
www.aapm.org/meetings/2017AM
PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM Symposia • International Symposium: Advanced Training of Medical
Physicists Beyond North America • Recent Therapy Medical Physics Practice Guidelines and
Your Delivery Path [SAM] • Recent Changes to the ABR MOC Process • Physicists’ Roles and Workload for NCTN (National Clinical • • • • • • • • •
Trials Network) Clinical Trials [SAM] MR in RT: Professional Requirements for Physicists in MRI Guided Radiation Therapy [SAM] What to Do: Medical Physicist Assistants Leading from the Middle [SAM] New Member Symposium Code of Ethics: Practicing Our Values [SAM] Legal Issues in Medical Physics Economic Issues in Medical Physics History Symposium - Radionuclide Therapy: Dr. Saul Hertz to Present Diagnostic Workforce Study Report
• Adult Learning (Andragogy) Techniques for Medical Physics
[SAM] • In Memoriam of Ann Wright: Panel Discussion - Promoting
Diversity Through Active Mentoring • Session in Memory of Alex Turner: Medical Physics Journal
Workshop • Panel Discussion: Mentor and Mentee Roles [SAM] • Question Writer Workshop • Intellectual Property Issues in Medical Physics • How to Prepare for and Navigate the Board Certification
Process in Diagnostic and Nuclear Imaging • Navigating the Board Certification Process: Therapy Physics
PARTNERS IN SOLUTIONS Partners in Solutions continues to offer a unique way for physicists to interact with and learn from our vendors, with vendors providing physics-level applications training classes in a special-purpose lecture room located on the exhibit floor. These are not sales pitches, but practical information for the clinical physicist from the people who know their systems in depth. Topics for this year are: • Imaging: Metal Artifact Reduction. Metallic implants in
a patient undergoing CT produce artifacts in the image set which can mask the anatomy and interfere with the accurate interpretation of the images. Learn about techniques and algorithms that vendors have introduced to minimize these artifacts.
• Therapy: In Vivo/Transmission Detection Systems. A variety
of methods are now available for clinical verification of radiation treatment delivery, particularly for IMRT/VMAT treatments but also applicable to static fields. Vendors will present their solutions, describing how they work, how to interpret the results, and the pros and cons. A better understanding of the available options will help the clinical physicist chose the best solution for his or her clinic. Look for the Partners in Solutions sessions on the meeting program. CE credit will be offered. Come learn with us!
EXHIBIT HALL GUIDED TOURS Therapy Track Come visit our vendors as part of the educational topic specific guided tour. Tourists will first hear a short introduction on the selected topic by one of the leaders in the field, then follow their AAPM-member Tour Guide to the vendor booths
to hear about their related products. SAM credit available. Topics for this year are: • Imaging: Quality Assurance Phantom in Diagnostic Imaging • Therapy: Secondary Dose Calculation Programs
www.aapm.org/meetings/2017AM
www.aapm.org/meetings/2017AM/AssociationMtgs.asp
AAPM 2017 STUDENT & TRAINEE EVENTS ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE DURING AAPM 2017: SPS Poster Session
ANNUAL STUDENT MEETING: PROVOCATIVE QUESTIONS IN MEDICAL PHYSICS TRAINING Sunday, July 30 | 8:30 – 10:00 am | Four Seasons 2, Street Level, Convention Center, followed by the Undergrad Networking Session 10:00 am – 10:30 am The AAPM Students and Trainees Subcommittee is hosting the Annual Student Meeting to debate provocative questions in medical physics. This event will consist of three topics of interest, with two speakers presenting an argument for each. The audience will then have a chance to engage in discussion with the speakers.
WGSTR STUDENT AND TRAINEE LUNCH PLUS CAREER EXPO Sunday, July 30 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Four Seasons 2, Street Level, Convention Center | Tickets: $10/person (space is limited) Registration Deadline: July 5 The Working Group on Student and Trainee Research and the Students and Trainees Subcommittee are hosting a joint luncheon & career expo to foster a discussion on the many career paths available in the expanding field of Medical Physics. This event will start with boxed lunches and introductions of representatives currently working in a variety of roles at companies, government agencies and labs, and academic research. Following prepared remarks, students, trainees, and young professionals are encouraged to connect individually with representatives to understand a physicist’s role at his/her company. This is not meant to be a job fair, but rather a place to facilitate discussions about future career paths and roles that medical physicists fill outside of the clinic.
RESIDENCY FAIR Sunday, July 30 | 1:00 – 3:00 pm | Ballroom Foyer, Level Three, Convention Center Programs: reserve your table here | Students/Attendees: RSVP here The AAPM Students and Trainees Subcommittee, in collaboration with SDAMPP, is hosting a Residency Fair. This event will provide students an opportunity to learn more about individual residency programs and how they are structured. Come meet program directors and current residents from CAMPEP programs across the country.
AAPM STUDENTS AND TRAINEES NIGHT OUT: GREAT DIVIDE! Sunday, July 30 | 6:00 – 8:30 pm | Great Divide Barrel Bar, 1812 35th St. | Tickets: $20/person (space is limited) Registration Deadline: July 5 Join us for our Annual Students and Trainees Night Out sponsored by the Students and Trainees Subcommittee! Hosted on the first night (Sunday night) this event provides attendees the opportunity to network with fellow students, residents, and post-docs. The Great Divide will feature craft beer, a lounging area, ping pong, and cornhole.
Sunday July 30 | 3:00 pm General Poster Area | Exhibit Hall The Society of Physics Students (SPS) Undergraduate Research & Outreach Poster Session highlights the work of undergraduate students with an interest in medical physics. Stop by to meet the future faces of physicists in medicine!
Pizza Republica Meet and Greet hosted by ACR Saturday, July 29 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm Pizza Republica, 890 14th Street | FREE to attend for all registered students and trainees Please RSVP here by Saturday, July 22 The American College of Radiology (ACR), in collaboration with AAPM Student and Trainees Subcommittee, is hosting a casual social gathering at Pizza Republica on Saturday, July 29 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm for all registered students and trainees. Come out and enjoy some of the best pizza and drinks Denver has to offer with your fellow students and trainees.
Interview Workshop Monday, July 31 | 4:30 – 6:00 pm Partners in Solutions Room, Exhibit Hall Interested? Limited interview spots available: RSVP here. The Students and Trainees Subcommittee (STSC) would like to invite students, trainees, and young professionals to attend an interview workshop to practice their interviewing skills and receive feedback from real interviewers. The first portion of the workshop includes concrete guidance and examples of how to respond in an interview setting; this aspect of the session is designed to be an informational introduction to interviews in general. The second portion of the workshop involves group interviews for those seeking careers in academic, research, or clinical environments, in addition to regulatory or industry positions.
Expanding Horizons Tuesday, August 1 | 9:30 – 11:00 am Poster presentations: 10:00 – 10:30 am General Poster Area, Exhibit Hall Awardees from the 2016 Expanding Horizons Travel Grant cycle will discuss their experiences traveling to conferences that are not specifically geared toward traditional medical physics, focusing on broad scientific impact and opportunities for medical physicists in various fields. The Expanding Horizons paper poster session gives a venue for AAPM conference attendees to meet and discuss with awardees, learn the hot topics and emerging research areas presented at these conferences, and understand the relevance to future medical physics research. Students interested in applying for the 2017 application cycle are highly encouraged to attend!
Partners for the Future In an effort to open the dialogue between our corporate partners and medical physics students and trainees, guided tours through participating corporate partners’ exhibition booths will be led by seasoned medical physicists. Each booth will feature demonstrations designed specifically for trainees.
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Angela R. Keyser, Alexandria, VA
AAPM’s HQ Team…at Your Service! Who does what on the AAPM HQ Team? See a list with contact information and brief descriptions of responsibilities online. An Organization Chart is also provided.
Headquarters Site Visit Committee Every three years an Ad Hoc Committee is appointed to review Headquarters Operations (HQSVC). Based on AAPM policy, the Ad Hoc Committee consists of 4 AAPM members (1 of whom served on the previous site visit and an Executive Committee member). An Executive Director of another association is invited to serve as a consultant. This process dates back to 1985 and previous reports are available online. The 2017 HQSVC, chaired by Per Halvorsen, met at HQ on April 6-7. The other members of the group included Mary Fox, Jennifer Johnson, AAPM Treasurer Mahadevappa Mahesh, and RSNA Executive Director Mark Watson. AAPM President-Elect Bruce Thomadsen served as a guest. The charge to the committee, available online, focused on a review of major function areas and resources that may be needed to address strategic issues moving forward. An extensive (486 page!) PDF packet was provided to the HQSVC in advance to assist in their review. The draft report is expected in May and ultimately will be reported to the Board of Directors. Special thanks to the volunteers involved in this process for their time and efforts on this project.
Election Process Online Only! Elections for the 2018 Officers, Board Members-At-Large and Nominating Committee Members will open on June 21 and will run through July 12. Again this year AAPM will use the Bulletin Board System (BBS) during the election process to allow members to discuss issues of concern with the candidates and the election in general. The election process will be online only so be alert for e-mail announcements.
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AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
Executive Director, cont.
FYI – Science Policy News from AIP A very important service provided by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) is the FYI science policy bulletins with a focus on the physical sciences. The sign-up is free and it is an easy way to stay on top of what is happening within the administration and Congress. Subscribe here. Options include: • • •
FYI Bulletin: Follow science policy and funding as it happens with several full-length articles each week. FYI Monthly Digest: A round-up of the previous month’s FYI highlights.
FYI This Week: Start your week fully informed with a preview of what’s ahead in science policy and funding along with a recap of last week’s news.
Your Online Member Profile This is a reminder to keep your AAPM Membership Profile information up to date by going to here and making any changes necessary. Please, upload your picture if you have not already done so. Remember to review the “Conflict of Interest” area of the Member Profile to self-report conflicts per the AAPM Conflict of Interest Policy. AAPM recognizes that not everyone is interested in every topic that we communicate to our membership, so we are now organizing our e-mail communications into “campaigns” that are typically time and event based. The first time you receive an e-mail about a particular event, you may opt out of receiving future e-mails on this topic at the bottom where it says, “To inhibit future messages of this kind, click here.” For example, if you know you aren’t able to go to the 2017 Annual Meeting and don’t want communications about the meeting, you may opt-out from any e-mail in the campaign, or from the e-preferences screen in your member profile.
Education and Research Fund Update Are you a “Platinum, Gold, Silver or Copper” level contributor to the AAPM Education and Research Fund? This information is displayed on the AAPM website to assist you in keeping track of your total to the fund. If you are logged in, you will see a message along the right-hand side of the page that shows your cumulative contributions with an indication of the additional donations required to elevate your contribution to the next “level.” There will once again be an Education and Research Fund Donors’ Lounge at the Annual Meeting. Individuals who have made a cumulative lifetime donation of $100 or more will have access to the Lounge. Comfortable seating, beverages and electronic charging stations will be available. Consider donating to the Education and Research Fund today.
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AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
Executive Director, cont.
Staff News
In late April, the HQ Team welcomed Ashley Zhu as AAPM’s Front End Developer. Ashley is responsible for generating and maintaining the interface for AAPM and other related websites. Congratulations to Nicholai (Nick) Wingreen on his promotion from “Office Services Assistant” to “Programs Manager.” Nick joined the team in August, 2015 and has shown tremendous initiative and growth. In his new role, Nick will serve as staff liaison to the Professional Council (PC) and its activities. Nick joins others on the HQ Team serving as council liaisons: Shayna Knazik for the Science Council, Lisa Schober for the Administrative Council and Lisa Rose Sullivan for the Education Council. n
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of PHYSICISTS IN MEDICINE
Did you know that AAPM co-sponsors
CAREER DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS for members?
Visit www.aapm.org/careers/jobseekers/resources/webinars/ to access recorded versions of them, with subjects such as interviewing, networking, how to attend a scientific conference, and international job searches.
CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR THE TOPICS, DATES, AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION OF OUR 2017 EVENTS!
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AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
TREASURER’S REPORT Mahadevappa Mahesh, PhD, Baltimore, MD
Case of Association Management System (AMS) and Financial Management System (FMS) There are many applications and tools that are continuously used by members and staff at AAPM. Among them, there are few that permeate through most of all the activities we do. Two such applications/tools are the association management system (AMS) and financial management system (FMS). I consider AMS to be equivalent to the circulatory system that touches all parts of our body. In the same vein, the FMS also interacts with all association activities. I strongly feel that the purchase of a new AMS and FMS, although it is a major one, is just as important as the acquisition of the new building. Hence I wanted to share with you the rationale for embarking on this path.
Case for New Association Management System (AMS) AAPM purchased the current AMS system, IMPak by ISSI, in 1996 and has maintained a support agreement each year since. The AMS has had two major upgrades in the past 21 years. During this period AAPM staff (Information Services staff) have built many tools and accessories to provide necessary data to leadership and volunteers. In late 2015, ISSI informed AAPM that it had been acquired by another company and would no longer provide support to the system that AAPM is using. This triggered the need to search for a new AMS system. A task group (TG285) was formed within the finance committee under the chairmanship of Treasurer. The task group initially hired an outside consultant (ITAG) to navigate through the process of assessing, evaluating and identifying the tools necessary to replace existing system. Over the last 3 months, the outside consultant (ITAG) delivered a Business Technology Assessment with the recommendation to purchase separately the AMS and FMS systems.
Why new Financial Management System (FMS)? The AAPM HQ team has developed modifications and workarounds to get around inadequacies in the present systems. The Information Services (IS) and Finance teams have developed solutions that have pushed the existing system beyond its capabilities to meet the needs of the organization. Examples of areas that have required modifications and workarounds include: •
Financial Reporting in the Committee Tree
•
Annual Budget process and Internal Financial Statements, etc.
The existing systems have struggled to efficiently deliver information needed for insight and analysis. Hence the need to purchase a new FMS became a priority along with the new AMS.
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Treasurer, cont.
Also, there are a number of benefits by purchasing new FMS for AAPM: •
New FMS systems offer many enhancements not available in our present software such as the ability to upload vendor invoices, reduction of input errors, efficient handling of bank reconciliations, improvements to system’s internal control, etc.
•
Currently nearly all budgeting, financial reporting, and graphing is handled outside of the FMS in Excel. This is a very time-consuming process frequently requiring significant manual input, and as such is prone to error. Many new FMSes have built-in enhancements for financial reporting, budgeting, graphing, etc. that will enhance our reporting in the future. As less time is spent on report generation, more time can be spent on insight and analytics.
A new FMS will enhance the financial function at AAPM and enable the HQ team to deliver more useful and timely information. Additionally, by reducing the number of manual processes, a new FMS will not only improve overall operational efficiency, but also allow for the HQ management team to deliver improved reporting and provide analytical insight into the numbers. The funding for a new AMS and FMS will not come from operations budget, but will be funded through our reserves. With AAPM funding so many worthwhile projects both currently and potential new projects in the future, I am sure some are wondering why we should allocate resources towards this back-office function. The purchase of a new AMS and FMS is a strategic investment that can create value for AAPM. Financially, this investment should not impact operations, hence it was decided to take the necessary funds from the AAPM reserves. This information was provided to the AAPM board, which after discussion voted unanimously to withdraw funds from the AAPM reserves towards purchase of the new AMS and FMS. The business technology assessment report provided by hired consultant has become the core of a Request for Proposal (RFP). AAPM has received proposals and the TG 285 committee and staff are reviewing the proposals. Implementation of the new system is currently planned for Q1 2018. If you have any questions related to this column please feel free to reach out to me by email, Twitter, or call me at 410-955-5115. [I would like to thank Robert A. McKoy and Michael Woodward for their contribution to this column.] n
Our Condolences
I
f you have information on the passing of members, please inform HQ ASAP so that these members can be remembered appropriately. We respectfully request the notification via e-mail to: 2017.aapm@aapm.org Please include supporting information so that we can take appropriate steps.
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2017 BEST MEDICAL/AAPM TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP
B
est Medical and The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) are pleased to announce the availability of a Travel Fellowship for Student, Resident or Junior Members of AAPM to attend the AAPM Annual Meeting, to be exposed to and have access to the scientific and technical information and presentations on current and emerging topics in medical physics and related areas.
in Medicine (AAPM). Each applicant must have an accepted abstract for the 2017 AAPM 59th Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Each applicant must be the 1st Author. Required Supporting Documentation •
Attach all abstracts submitted to the 2017 AAPM 59th Annual Meeting & Exhibition.
•
CV including GPAs and Publications (Use CV Template).
Sponsored by the AAPM Education Council through the AAPM Education & Research Fund.
Award Duration: 6/15/2017 to 8/3/2017
Eligibility
Application Deadline: 5/22/2017
Each applicant must be a Student, Resident or Junior Member of the American Association of Physicists
Recipients Notified on: 6/2/2017
FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT: gaf.aapm.org/#BM
The Student and Trainee’s Subcommittee and the Working Group to Promote Non-Clinical Career Paths for Medical Physicists (WGNCMP) present the
2 ANNUAL CAREER EXPO ND
Student Day July 30, 2017 | 11:30 am–1:00 pm This event brings students, trainees, and new medical physicists together with physicists who are currently employed within a non-clinical setting. We are looking to gather employers who regularly hire medical physicists for positions within industry, regulation, and research in one convenient location. Our aim is to to help connect employers with students and trainees to discuss the wide range of careers and opportunities available within non-clinical medical physics. There is no fee to register and
employers may bring as many representatives (physicists ideally) as you would prefer. To register your company, please fill out this Google Form as soon as possible as space is limited. For more information, please e-mail Humza Nusrat or Kurt Van Delinder. (Lunch will be provided for employer representatives.)
We look forward to seeing you in Denver!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: www.aapm.org/meetings/2017AM/AssociationMtgs.asp
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
ABR NEWS Geoffrey Ibbott, PhD, ABR Board of Governors, Jerry Allison, PhD, J. Anthony Seibert, PhD, and Matthew B. Podgorsak, PhD, FAAPM, ABR Trustees
Seventy Years: ABR Certification of Medical Physicists 2017 marks the 70th anniversary of certification of medical physicists by the American Board of Radiology (ABR). The first certifications of medical physicists occurred in December 1934 under the auspices of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). An examining board was formed, including Robert Newell and Otto Glasser, with Gioacchino Failla as chair. Seventeen radiation physicists were certified and subsequently served as an examining board. RSNA adopted a proposal that any member of the board could examine an applicant and submit a report on the examination to the other board members for approval. Lauriston Taylor was on the board and kept the correspondence and records at the National Bureau of Standards. The ABR first considered certification of physicists in 1941, but a motion “to express willingness to entertain a proposal to certify physicists in radiology” was defeated by the ABR Board. In November 1946, the ABR Credentials Committee recommended that the ABR supervise and sponsor the certification of radiation physicists. An Ad Hoc Committee (Usrus Portmann, Edwin Ernst, and Ross Golden) met with the RSNA physics group to discuss details of physicist certification. The Ad Hoc Committee reported, “Physicists consulted by your committee were unanimously of the opinion that they would prefer to have the ABR organize a procedure for examination and certification of physicists so that those who pass the examination in physics receive a certificate in radiation physics from the ABR.” In 1947, the first ABR certifications in physics were awarded. Certificates were granted to 20 physicists: • • • • •
Paul Abersold (ABR ID No. P0001) Karl Morgan (ABR ID No. P0002) Marvin Williams Kenneth Corrigan James Weatherwax
• • • • •
George Henny Otto Glasser Henrietta Hayden Scott Smith Carl Braestrup
• • • • •
Karl Stenstrom James Marven Frank Hoecker S. Reid Warren Carl Numberger
• • • • •
S. Sidhu Edith Quimby Lillian Jackobsen Alvin Hackney Robert Pugh
It appears that in 1947, the first ABR-certified physicists participated in the examination of four additional physicists, who also became board certified in 1947: • •
Bird Stephenson Francis Chambers
• •
Herbert Parker Leonnidas Marinelli
The following year, 1948, no ABR physics certifications were issued, but in 1949, another notable group of physicists received ABR certification: • •
Aaron Yalow Hanson Blatz
• •
Rosalyn Yalow Theodore Stopp
ABR physics certifications in 1950 included both Robert Landauer and Jack Krohmer. One of the earliest ABR-certified physicists was Rosalyn Yalow, who is particularly notable as she became a Nobel Laureate.
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ABR, cont.
Certificates were granted in radiological physics, x-ray and radium physics, and medical nuclear physics. In the absence of formal training programs, the first eligibility requirements for ABR certification in physics included: • • •
4 or more years of college 2 years of radiation physics study A total of 8 years of training and practical experience
The early ABR physics examinations were administered as oral examinations. Oral examination panels in radiation physics included three certified radiation physicists and one ABR physician trustee. In 1957, a written physics examination was designed and scheduled for first use. After consultation with outside experts to determine the difficulties and costs, however, the ABR Board postponed the introduction of a written examination for several years. The first ABR written exam in physics was administered in June 1975. The 78 applicants sought certification in these fields: • • •
7 in diagnostic radiologic physics 9 in medical nuclear physics 37 in radiologic physics (combined diagnostic, medical nuclear, and therapeutic physics)
• •
4 in therapeutic and diagnostic physics 21 in therapeutic radiologic physics
Forty-five applicants passed the first written exam: • • •
7 in diagnostic radiologic physics • 19 in radiologic physics 6 in medical nuclear physics • 11 in therapeutic radiologic physics 2 in therapeutic and diagnostic physics
Among the 45 ABR diplomates who passed the first written examination are some familiar names: • • •
Jon Trueblood Paul Carson Lawrence Rothenberg
• • •
James Deye • James Hevezi • James Purdy Charles Wilson • Robert Phillips Stewart Bushong • Raymond Rossi
Dr. Jack Krohmer, Chairman of the ABR Physics Credentials Committee, reported to the ABR Board of Trustees that “as a first effort the written exam in physics in June 1975 was a very successful one.” The ABR IDs of the first two ABR-certified physicists were P0001 and P0002 (Abersold and Morgan). As of 2016, the ABR IDs numbers for medical physicists have grown to more than P8500. ABR medical physics diplomates can estimate where they are along the timeline of medical physics certifications by looking at their own ABR ID numbers on the myABR website. n RESOURCES: The American Board of Radiology (75 Years of Serving the Public), Otha W. Linton, 2009, ISBN-10: 1-890705-14-4.
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AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY AFFAIRS REPORT Richard Martin, JD, Alexandria, VA
AAPM Source Security Advocacy Continues with Comments to NRC
T
he American Association of Physicists in Medicine submitted comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regarding proposed security and accountability enhancements for Category 3 sources, which include those used for high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, on March 10, 2017. In addition, the AAPM signed on to another comment letter on the same issue drafted by its coalition partner, the Source Security Working Group (SSWG). The SSWG is an alliance of industry sectors including energy, health care, oil and gas, and industrial radiography, that supports risk-informed, science-based policy that balances benefits of radioisotopes with safe secure usage. (See request for comment published in the Federal Register on January 9, 2017.) NRC sought comments on potential security and accountability enhancements, including verification of Category 3 licenses through the License Verification System (LVS), inclusion of Category 3 sources in the National Source Tracking System (NSTS), and expansion of physical security requirements to include Category 3 quantities of radioactive material. NRC staff will use information gathered in the public comment process to evaluate whether it is necessary to revise NRC regulations or processes governing source protection and accountability. Both letters questioned the benefit of the proposed enhancements and expressed concern whether current licensing and source tracking systems would be robust enough to handle the increased volume. (See full texts of letters here and here.) Let us know if you have any questions on this issue, or if you would like to provide information to include in AAPM’s comments. Contact Richard J. Martin, JD, AAPM’s Government Relations Specialist, (571) 298-1227.
AAPM Urges Congress to Oppose Cuts in NIH Funding The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) issued a press release requesting Congress to reverse President Trump’s proposed 18.3 percent cut of approximately $5.8 billion from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget for 2018. In its statement, the AAPM explained that NIH is the backbone of a scientific research enterprise that makes the United States a world leader in medical research and reasoned that the extraordinarily steep cut would result in the loss of life-saving discoveries that otherwise would benefit Americans. The AAPM further expressed concern that the proposed cut would disrupt ongoing research and limit or end the careers of an entire generation of scientists, particularly young scientists just starting their careers. Building a world-class scientific enterprise, the statement noted, is a long-term endeavor that must be supported by robust, predictable, and stable funding over the long term. You can read the full text of the press release and position statement. Contact Richard J. Martin, JD, AAPM’s Government Relations Specialist, (571) 298-1227, if you have any questions on this advocacy activity. n
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THE AAPM EXPANDING HORIZONS
Travel Grant
TYPE: Grant OPEN: 5/1/17 DEADLINE: 9/1/17 NOTIFICATION: 10/6/17 APPLICATION MATERIALS TO BE SUBMITTED • Personal statement describing long term career goals, motivation to attend the selected meeting, and expected scientific value of attendance on the applicant’s dissertation project or future research (2 pages maximum). •
Curriculum Vitae.
•
Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor or department head confirming that additional travel expenses will be covered.
•
Budget indicating expected expenses.
THE AAPM EXPANDING HORIZONS TRAVEL GRANT will award up to fifteen $1,000 travel grants per year for the purpose of providing additional support for student and trainee travel to conferences that are not specifically geared toward medical physics. The travel grant program is designed to provide an opportunity to broaden the scope of scientific meetings attended in order to introduce students and trainees to new topics which may be of relevance to medical physics research and which may subsequently be incorporated into future research in order to progress the field in new directions. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA • Must be a member of AAPM in good standing at the time of application •
Must be a current graduate student, post-doctoral candidate, or resident
•
Proposed meeting must not be specifically-related to medical physics
•
Examples of ineligible conferences include: • AAPM Annual Meeting • AAPM Spring Clinical Meeting • AAPM Chapter Meetings • American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting • Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting • Any meeting that the applicant’s group is regularly attending, this will be judged on a case-by-case basis.
•
Examples of eligible conferences include: • American Physical Society (APS) Annual Meeting • Biophysics Society (BPS) Annual Meeting • Physical Sciences in Oncology Centers (PSOC) Annual Meeting • Radiation Research Society (RRS) Annual Meeting • World Molecular Imaging Conference (WMIC)
APPLICATION PROCESS • APPLY AT: gaf.aapm.org • DIRECT INQUIRIES: exhg@aapm.org
American Association of Physicists in Medicine | www.aapm.org
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
HEALTH POLICY & ECONOMIC ISSUES Jennifer Stickel, PhD, Golden, CO
Clinical Decision Support Systems: Why, What and Now What?
I
n April 2014, President Obama signed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). A provision in the legislation mandated that physicians incorporate appropriate use criteria (AUC) for ordering advanced imaging exams, which includes magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine and positron emission topography. While this provision was scheduled for implementation on January 1, 2017, it has since been delayed until January 1, 2018. Once implemented, sites must submit evidence of AUC consultation with their Medicare claims in order to receive payment under the Physician Fee Schedule, Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgery Center Payment System.
Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems have been developed to meet the new AUC mandate. CDS systems are designed so that when a provider places an order for an advanced imaging exam, a support window or pop-up will display the AUC for the ordered exam as well as any other appropriate services based on the clinical history or indications given (see image below from National Decision Support). These systems are based on professionally developed evidence-based standards. A functional CDS system can be integrated within the electronic health record system to process requests in real-time with minimal additional effort, but there are also web-based systems that may be utilized as well. A ranked list of possible exams or other feedback to the ordering physician can show the recommended exams based on AUC with additional information on potential radiation exposure or cost. The ordering physician may then choose an exam from the presented list or order the exam as initially entered.
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Health Policy, cont.
The benefits of using CDS systems include meeting the regulatory compliance requirements, benchmarking and reduced variation in use and ordering of advanced imaging exams. CDS systems are designed to have the ability to adjust the recommended studies based on local factors, but to maintain compliance with the AUC mandate, it may be necessary to maintain documentation to support any changes to the nationally accepted or evidence-based standards. CDS systems may also allow benchmark audits of the utilization of advanced imaging and the appropriateness of ordering various exams within a system. This information can be used to ensure standards of care are followed and aid in advanced imaging utilization management. While mainly an IT/IS endeavor, the medical physicist may be impacted by the new CDS systems in a few ways. One area would be to help providers understand the standards the systems are based on. While the standards may be developed by a number of professional organizations (e.g., ACR, SNMMI), the medical physicist might be asked to provide reasoning behind dose concerns associated with certain imaging exams that may lead to exams being ranked more or less appropriately. The medical physicist may also be asked to help with development of local standards and the evidence used to support them. Finally, the CDS system may raise a number of questions by ordering physicians as it is a marked change from the traditional method of ordering advanced imaging exams. This may lead to questions or conversations that include medical physics support to help educate providers on why imaging exams are appropriate. n
2017 AAPM ELECTIONS Open for Online Voting: JUNE 21
VOTE Deadline to Submit Your Vote Electronically: JULY 12 26 | www.aapm.org
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PLANNING TO ATTEND
RSNA 2017?
Be Sure to Book Your Room at the AAPM Headquarters Hotel:
The Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E. Wacker Drive AAPM Meetings and Annual Reception will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago RSNA 103rd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting November 26 – December 1, 2017 Chicago, IL May 3: Member Registration and Housing Opens at 10:30 AM CT July 18: Online Program Opens
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICISTS IN MEDICINE | WWW.AAPM.ORG
SAVE THE DATE!
APRIL 7–10
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa A M E R I C A N A S S O C I AT I O N O F P H Y S I C I S T S I N M E D I C I N E | W W W. A A P M . O R G
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
IMAGING PRACTICE ACCREDITATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT Tyler Fisher, MS, Costa Mesa, CA
ACR Accreditation for Add-On, Upright Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Systems
O
ver the past few years, the Hologic Affirm Up-Right Stereotactic Biopsy system has become more prevalent in the marketplace. This unit attaches to the Selenia Dimensions system and provides stereotactic biopsy capabilities with Tomosynthesis imaging. Many facilities are transitioning to this system from their prone stereotactic tables due to superior image quality, no need for a dedicated biopsy room, and the freedom to use 3D imaging for biopsy. For the imaging physicist, however, these units present unique challenges for accreditation testing. The current ACR Stereotactic Biopsy manual and QC forms were developed in 1999 and include a number of evaluations for film units. The Affirm unit is capable of performing many of these tests, but modifications are necessary to make the testing more appropriate. For accredited facilities, the ACR forms must still be submitted and all the required tests must be completed. Many of the tests are similar to either the standard Selenia Dimensions tests or prone stereotactic tests. The significant differences are seen in the ACR phantom, dose and HVL measurement, and AEC testing.
For the ACR phantom, many facilities with the Affirm system no longer have the small accreditation phantom. These facilities are using the regular ACR Image Quality phantom for routine testing. Because the Selenia Dimensions unit uses the regular Dimensions detector during biopsy imaging, facilities may acquire an image of the entire large phantom in one exposure. You should remove the compression paddle and acquire the image with the needle holder outside the phantom. Both 2D and 3D images should be acquired and scored. It has been my experience that the software does not directly display the kVp and mAs of the images. The easiest way I have found to view this data is, after you have acquired all the images in 2D and 3D mode, choose the print button and then select each image. The DICOM data will display on the review monitor. For dose measurements, it is important to measure the tube output directly, without the compression paddle in place. This will make a significant difference, both in measured output and HVL. Use these values to calculate Mean Glandular Dose to the phantom and make sure that it is less than 3.0 mGy for both 2D and 3D modes – if you use the dose data from your testing of the Dimensions System with the paddle in place, you will be under-estimating the dose significantly. Automatic Exposure Control testing should be performed using both 2D and 3D modes as the units will be used in both modes. Hologic QC manuals now provide CNR correction factors for stereotactic biopsy imaging that must be utilized for the Exposure Indices to be in compliance. Again, to view the technique factors for each image, you should go to the print screen and the technique factors will become available. Finally, the submission process for the ACR requires printed images at this time, preferably on film, but high quality paper copies are also accepted. They will accept 3D images with the lesion visible within the imaging plane, as well as 2D images. In the future, the ACR will accept digital images view upload or CD submission, but that capability is not available now. For all questions regarding the ACR Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Accreditation program, please visit the ACR website. n
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Congratulations
to the Recipients of the Following Awards, Achievements & Honors in 2017! All of the award, achievement and honor recipients will be recognized during the 2017 AAPM Annual Meeting in Denver, CO at the Awards and Honors Ceremony and Reception. Monday, July 31 • 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm • Centennial Ballroom, Level 3, Hyatt Regency
Please join us in congratulating all of the recipients: WILLIAM D. COOLIDGE GOLD MEDAL Jatinder Palta, PhD
EDITH QUIMBY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD G. Donald Frey, PhD John Wong, PhD
MARVIN M.D. WILLIAMS AWARD Stephen Balter, PhD Michael Gillin, PhD
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP Bruce G. Haffty, MD Valerie P. Jackson, MD Arno J. Mundt, MD
JOHN S. LAUGHLIN YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD Xun Jia, PhD
FELLOW Michael P. Andre, PhD Stefan Both, PhD Georges El Fakhri, PhD Issam M. El Naqa, PhD Jonathan B. Farr, DSc S. Murty Goddu, PhD James H. Goodwin, MS Walter Grant, III, PhD Kathleen M. Hintenlang, PhD Darryl G. Kaurin, PhD Paul E. Kinahan, PhD Kenneth F. Koral, PhD Rajat J. Kudchadker, PhD
Kenneth L. Matthews, II, PhD Paul M. Medin, PhD Michael T. Munley, PhD Sujatha Pai, MS Bhaskaran K. Pillai, PhD Nicole T. Ranger, MSc John C. Roeske, PhD Bill J. Salter, PhD L. John Schreiner, PhD Anil Kumar Sharma, PhD Ramon Alfredo C. Siochi, PhD R. Jason Stafford, PhD Sugata Tripathi, PhD Thaddeus A. Wilson, PhD
FARRINGTON DANIELS AWARD “A linear, separable two-parameter model for dual energy CT imaging of proton stopping power computation,” by Dong Han, Jeffrey V. Siebers, and Jeffrey. F. Williamson — Medical Physics 43 (1), 600-612 (2016).
MOSES AND SYLVIA GREENFIELD AWARD “The rotate-plus-shift C-arm trajectory. Part I. Complete data with less than 180° rotation,” by Ludwig Ritschl, Jan Kuntz, Christof Fleischmann, and Marc Kachelriess — Medical Physics 43 (5), 2295-2302 (2016)
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CLINICAL MEDICAL PHYSICS PAPER AWARDS Editor-in-Chief Award: “Evaluation of cassette-based
digital radiography detectors using standardized image quality metrics: AAPM TG-150 Draft Image Detector Tests,” by Guang Li, Travis C. Greene, Thomas K. Nishino, Charles E. Willis — Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 17(5) 2016. Medical Imaging Physics Award: “Automated Calculation of Waterequivalent Diameter (DW) Based on AAPM Task Group 220,” By Choirul Anam, Freddy Haryanto, Rena Widita, Idam Arif, Geoff Dougherty — Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 17(4) 2016. Radiation Oncology Physics Award: “Evaluation of target and cardiac position during visually monitored deep inspiration breath-hold for breast radiotherapy,” by Leigh Conroy, Rosanna Yeung, Elizabeth Watt, Sarah Quirk, Karen Long, Alana Hudson, Tien Phan, Wendy L. Smith — Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 17(4) 2016. Radiation Measurements Award: “Thin-film CdTe detector for microdosimetric study of radiation dose enhancement at gold-tissue interface,” by Nava Raj Paudel, Diana Shvydka, E. Ishmael Parsai — Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 17(5) 2016.
Fill in the missing pieces. LinacView™ analyzes machine performance before the patient even leaves the couch. Adaptivo™
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NEW MEMBER SYMPOSIUM Tuesday, August 1 • 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm • Room 108, Street Level, Convention Center
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s a new member of AAPM, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the size and complexity of the association and to be unaware of the benefits and opportunities available to members. At this year’s AAPM Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, we will host a New Member Symposium where you can learn more about the organization, member resources, opportunities to get involved, and about topics of particular interest to new professionals. We encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity to learn valuable information and to grow your professional network.
Registered attendees will receive a raffle ticket. Enter to win a complimentary registration for the 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN!! In addition, all new members who register for the Symposium will receive a drink ticket, good for one complimentary soda or beer served after the New Member Symposium during the social with committee chairs from four AAPM Councils: Science, Education, Professional and Administrative.
Get Your Picture Taken. There will be a photographer there to take pictures for your profile in the AAPM directory.
www.aapm.org/meetings/2017AM/
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
AAPM CHILDCARE SURVEY FOLLOW UP Kristi Hendrickson, PhD, Jean Moran, PhD, Holly Lincoln, MS, Laura Cervino, PhD, Susan Richardson, PhD, Chuck Bloch, PhD, Sonja Dieterich, PhD, Nicole Ranger, MSc and James Balter, PhD
AAPM recently surveyed its membership regarding the childcare needs of its members who attend AAPM meetings/conferences and participate in volunteer activities for the society. We received more than a thousand responses giving us important insight into opportunities for AAPM to help improve the meeting participation of its membership. Almost 60% of survey respondents have households with kids under the age of 18 years. On-site childcare emerged in the survey results as the most popular option to facilitate an increase in member participation both as attendees at meetings as well as for the volunteer activities, such as leadership and committee membership, that also occur at major meetings. The survey revealed that many members currently tap into other sources of support for childcare in order to attend meetings, such as children staying at home (43%) and children attending meetings with the member, often under the supervision of a spouse (19%). A majority (51%) of the survey respondents were very interested or somewhat interested in onsite child care.
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Figure 1: Age distribution of children in member households responding to the survey. The columns can add up to >100% as some households have more than one child in different age categories.
One of the most important findings from this survey is that 19% of all survey respondents indicated that their lack of adequate childcare support has impacted their ability to attend AAPM meetings, resulting in either their missing these conferences or attending for a shorter period that they desired. The survey found that this lack of adequate support affects the engagement and presence of both men and women at AAPM meetings. Also of note, while a third of the survey respondents indicated that they currently have no childcare needs, most added that they believe it to be a great idea for AAPM to facilitate childcare for its members. If onsite childcare were offered at AAPM meetings, 36% indicated that they would definitely or probably would, and an additional 14% answering that they may potentially, utilize this service. Other related services deemed helpful by the survey respondents include a lactation/nursing room and wellness room, both of which are typically already provided at major AAPM meetings. Locations are indicated in meeting materials online, in the pocket program, and on the map in the registration area. AAPM staff are available to assist in accessing the rooms. In Denver this summer, the Colorado Convention Center has a dedicated “Mothers Room” in addition to a Wellness Room.
Next Steps Several sister societies (such as the RSNA) have tackled this issue and have successfully made childcare available at their major meetings. For the AAPM membership responding to the survey, the greatest demand for childcare assistance is at the Annual Meeting (84% ranked it first). Based on the survey results, a proposal is being created to potentially pilot onsite childcare for AAPM’s 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville. AAPM HQ staff have investigated the costs that would be associated with the pilot. The proposal will go through an approval process beginning with the Meeting Coordination Committee, then the Administrative Council, and finally the Executive Committee to ensure that it meets our members’ needs. If successful, members will have the ability to register for childcare when they register for the meeting. Stay tuned. We are excited about this potential opportunity to improve AAPM member participation. In the meantime, if you’re looking for childcare and camp suggestions for the 2017 Annual Meeting in Denver, please search the AAPM bulletin board for AAPM childcare options in Denver where members have already shared ideas, and consider joining the Medical Physics Parents Facebook group.
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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of PHYSICISTS IN MEDICINE
THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS! MEDICAL PHYSICS 3.0 is an initiative to define and practice sustainable excellence in medical physics. Visiting our roots and re-envisioning our desired contributions to quality healthcare, MP3.0 asks the question of whether we are fulfilling our potential, and if we are not, how we can do so.
HELP US REDEFINE AND REINVIGORATE THE ROLE OF PHYSICS IN MODERN MEDICINE! SUBMIT ABSTRACTS • • • • •
ATTEND SESSIONS
New MP3.0 topics at AAPM 2017 Practices of physics that extend to operational activities New domains of practice Physics beyond radiation medicine Case studies
•
Special AAPM 2017 Sessions on Wednesday, August 2: - Medical Physics 3.0 in Design - Medical Physics 3.0 in Practice
GIVE OPINIONS •
Visit the MP3.0 Booth - Smile and speak, tell us what you think!
Learn more about MP3.0 by attending
#AAPM2017, July 30–August 3, 2017 in Denver, CO and by visiting: aapm.org/MedPhys30/
AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
EXPANDING OUR CLINICAL ROLE Cynthia H. McCollough, PhD, Rochester, MN
The Evolving Role of the Medical Physicist in CT Imaging
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he role of the diagnostic medical physicist continues to evolve toward having a greater role in clinical practice. In CT, for example, a qualified medical physicist is required to participate in protocol reviews as a member of a team comprised of radiologists, technologists and physicists. This triad of expertise provides the needed skills to develop and maintain accurate, dose efficient and clinically appropriate protocols that meet the needs of our patients. Each member of the team brings essential knowledge to the table, with the medical physicist bringing a depth of understanding of the fundamental physics related to, and technical complexity of, the impact of protocol parameters on dose, image quality, and artifact susceptibility. In reflecting upon this topic, I cannot help to consider my own journey.
In 1991, I joined the Mayo Clinic, fresh out of graduate school. From the beginning, my role at Mayo was integrated with the clinical practice. Developing and overseeing an acceptance testing and quality assurance program was of course an expected duty, as were evaluation of equipment for purchases and education of technologists and physicians. However, in the course of getting to know my radiologist and technologist colleagues (and simply finding my way around to our over 20 CT scanners), I made it a habit to walk through each CT area on a daily basis. At first, I simply observed. I was there to learn from them. Later, I began to ask questions. Being careful to come across as curious and not judgmental, I would ask why the slice thickness was 10 mm in some exams and 7 mm in others (yes – those were the typical slice widths in 1991). As I read radiology and physics papers, I understood the clinical implications of partial volume averaging and beam hardening. I ran experiments to create teaching slides on these and other topics, and I worked to make sure that I was testing equipment features that made a difference to our clinical practice. By being present and being clinically oriented, I became a trusted resource. When difficult patients were being scanned, I was often paged to the scanner to assist in tough protocol choices. I became more than the person who tested the scanners and worried about badge readings, I became a part of the team. Having learned how to be clinically relevant, I provided knowledge to the medical director of CT and technologist supervisor about the capabilities of our various scanner models, so that appropriate triage rules could be set up to make sure that patients with specific needs were scanned on equipment with the necessary feature set. I formed and chaired the “CT Technical Support Committee,” which met monthly to discuss all equipment or operator incidents, service needs, and upcoming installations and upgrades. Over a decade ago, I advocated for all of our CT technologists to become CT certified, and provided a year of monthly in-service programs to help prepare our staff for their exam. In that same time frame, the CT physics team took over protocol review and oversight, developing a team-based approach to developing, revising, and evaluating our set of over 300 CT protocols. With my colleagues, we developed a web-based protocol management system and organized at least annual formal protocol reviews with each division (neuro CT, body CT, cardiac CT, etc.) on an annual basis. In short, my CT physics colleagues and I became an integral part of the daily operation of our CT practice, sharing our unique knowledge and expertise with the overall team. Now, accreditation bodies are requiring these sorts of activities, yet many physicists have not had the opportunity to develop the clinically oriented knowledge needed to support their practice in this manner. For example, most medical physics curricula do not include lectures as to what specific features are important to the radiologist and technologist for a tri-phase liver or pancreas scan and how that protocol needs to differ from a CT urogram, a CT enterography for blood
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Medical Physicist, cont.
loss or a non-contrast abdomen scan for flank pain. These are things that are learned in the reading room, in detailed conversations with technologists, at the scanner during a complex study, or in clinical sessions at radiologist meetings. Being so close to the clinical practice of CT, I have spoken frequently at radiologist meetings, helping to explain the physics and technical principles of spiral CT, cardiac CT, or iterative reconstruction in a manner that conveys the information they need and care about, and avoids technical jargon. Now, I serve as a vice-president of the International Society of Computed Tomography, whose purpose is to develop educational content for radiologists, technologists and physicists related to all things CT. If you find yourself wanting to deepen your involvement in clinical practice, I encourage you to attend the ISCT, June 4-7, 2017 in San Francisco, or take advantage of our on-line educational material. Whether ISCT, RSNA, ARRS or another clinical conference, learn about the practice of radiology. Make sure that you understand the differences in exam types, and can understand why exam timing is critical for run-off exams and pulmonary scans. With such knowledge, you position yourself to contribute to the clinical practice(s) that you support in an exciting and rewarding fashion. Nothing beats working with a technologist to acquire a beautiful cardiac exam on an obese patient with an irregular heart rate, and being thanked by the radiologist for helping to provide optimal care for their — and your — patient! n
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AAPM Newsletter • Volume 42 No. 3 MAY | JUNE 2017
IROC REPORT Ying Xiao, PhD, Philadelphia, PA, Huaizhi Geng, PhD, Bryn Mawr, PA, Denise Manfredi, BS,
What is TRIAD and how to use TRIAD for NCTN Clinical Trial Digital Data Submission
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s a clinical physicist, you come to work one day and receive an urgent message from one of the research associates (RA) from your clinical trial group: your institution is participating in a new multicenter clinical trial from NCTN and there is a requirement to submit DICOM digital data through TRIAD. What do you do? Here is some background information and guidelines to walk you and your RA through the process. TRIAD is a web-based application that securely moves medical images and related data across the Internet. The data transmitted can include DICOM images, both structured and unstructured radiology reports, and radiotherapy treatment planning data. It meets FDA regulatory requirements under Title 21 CFR Part 11 that governs using electronic records in clinical trials. It was developed and is maintained by the American College of Radiology (ACR) with a focus on userfriendliness. TRIAD’s application programming interface enables integration with Rave NCI’s clinical trial database) and electronic data capture systems (EDC). TRIAD is tightly integrated with the NCI’s National Clinical Trial Network (NCTN) core systems, allowing research personnel at NCTN participating sites to submit data and images for the trials that are a part of NCTN. NCTN TRIAD users must utilize a CTEP-IAM user name and password to log in. Step by Step instructions 1. Obtain CTEP IAM account If you do not already have a CTEP IAM account, please use this link and follow the steps to apply for one. 2. Have your Lead RA add you to the enrolling site Roster as a TRIAD SITE USER, If you cover multiple sites that enroll patients, you must be added to all of the site rosters. 3. Install TRIAD Client and establish data transmission pathway Work with your Department IT specialist to install TRIAD. For more information on how to install and use TRIAD, please refer to this link. 4. TRIAD digital data submission a. Login with CTEP IAM account, select Clinical Trials (NCI Oncology) from drop down
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IROC, cont.
b. After login: Go to the submission tab, select the trial & site, choose the digital file(s) for submission.
c. Items to be noted for submission: i. TRIAD provides features for submitting files from multiple sources: 1. Local computer / network drive: Files can be located in local computer folders, local CD/DVD drives or network drives. There are two ways to get upload data: Files: User can select single or multiple files. Folders: User can select a folder and by selecting folder, all files in the folder will also be selected automatically 2. PACS: TRIAD has the ability to query PACS for the study to submit. Either establish a DICOM query/retrieve through DICOM servers or DICOM data export for submission selection. ii. Entire data sets must be submitted (CT, RT Dose, RT Structure, RT Plan). If resubmission is required the entire data set must be submitted again. iii. Never submit zipped files, they do not go through the anonymization process zipped. iv. A DDSI form must be completed after each submission. Your CTEP IAM login is also used for this.
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d. TRIAD validation profile: A uniform radiation therapy structure name library was developed to use a single set of consistent structure names (Yu et al. 2014). The standard structure names for required structures by the trial protocol is listed in TRIAD validation profiles developed by IROC in collaboration with NRG Oncology and AAPM (refer to this site for NRG structure name library) . In the following screen shot, when a submission passes the validation a check mark is shown and a cross is shown otherwise. n
References: Yu, Jialu, William Straube, Charles Mayo, Tawfik Giaddui, Walter Bosch, Kenneth Ulin, Stephen F. Kry, James Galvin, and Ying Xiao. 2014. “Radiation Therapy Digital Data Submission Process for National Clinical Trials Network.” International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics 90 (2). Elsevier Inc.: 466–67. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.2672.
Certificate Course: Beyond Clinical Imaging: The Role of the Medical Physicist in Clinical Trials and Response Assessment Wednesday, August 2 • 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Following the meeting, certificate of completion program participants will be required to take an online examination, which covers the material presented throughout the day-long mini-track. Enrollees who demonstrate satisfactory attendance at the course and successful completion of the online examination (available after the meeting) will receive a certificate of completion for this course. AAPM member attendees may enroll in the certificate of completion program for an additional fee. Enrollment in the program entitles participants to dedicated seating in the mini-track sessions as well as additional online materials. Course Registration includes: Reserved seating • USB stick and downloadable file. For more information and to register, click here.
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UPCOMING AAPM MEETINGS: June 10–14, 2017 AAPM 2017 Summer School Clinical Brachytherapy Physics Portland, OR July 30–August 3, 2017 AAPM 59th Annual Meeting & Exhibition Denver, CO
AAPM | 1631 Prince Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | 571-298-1300 | www.aapm.org