Greetings from the Interim Chair

Greetings from the Chair

Professor Timothy Hall, Interim Chair

Despite this past year looking different than our ‘normal,’ we made many great strides in our educational and research efforts. Thank you again to all researchers for your flexibility.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Department of Medical Physics as a stand-alone department on the UW campus. In celebration of this milestone, we highlight how the department was founded and continues to transform over time. In addition, each month we have showcased the multitude of individuals who’ve help shape the department over the last 40 years, and I urge you to read those enticing stories as well, which can be found on our website.

With regard to philanthropy, I want to sincerely thank all alumni and present and former faculty and staff who contributed donations throughout the past year. Over the course of the year, a group of alumni came together to initiate the creation of an endowment fund in honor of Emeritus Professor Paul DeLuca. I encourage each of you to review Page 18 of this newsletter to identify opportunities where you can contribute to the continued successes and improvement of the department. Philanthropic support of each of the department’s mission areas is critical to success, and this means of financial support continues to become increasingly important. Please consider contributing.

As leaders in medical physics, it is our responsibility to take action against racism and intolerance and to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment for all those we employ, teach and serve. This year we are once again renewing our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and look forward to continued learning opportunities and honest conversations through this next year that will continue to expand our understanding and allyship of our peers.

As always, we are eager to hear from our alumni and former faculty and staff. Please send any informational updates, such as changes of address, to Kristina Weaver, MBA (kmweaver@wisc.edu). If your travels bring you to or near Madison, please let us know, as we would be very pleased to see you and schedule a department visit. Please also follow us on social media.

As this issue of The Medical Physicist goes live, our campus is preparing for a full return of students for the upcoming fall semester. I look forward to our department reconnecting in-person once again in the near future!

It has been a deep honor and privilege to serve as Interim Chair of such a phenomenal department. While I am immensely proud of achievements past and present, I firmly believe the future of this department is even brighter.

On, Wisconsin! To our Alumni & Former & Current Faculty, Students, Residents, & Staff:

On behalf of the entire department, I am pleased to announce the most recent edition of the Department of Medical Physics Newsletter. This past year was nothing close to ordinary and I want to applaud everyone, especially our students, for your tenacity, perseverance, and flexibility over the last year and a half as we navigated the many uncertainties from the coronavirus pandemic. It is with great pride and humbleness that I thank everyone for their fortitude during these unprecedented times.

Medical Physics Through the Years