Current News Archive
Linda Kroger, Section Past President
In April 2019, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) published a position statement related to the use of gonadal and fetal shielding. By now, many of you have probably seen it. At that time, AAPM reached out to the Health Physics Society (HPS) for our support both by way of endorsement of the statement, which was granted, and for assistance on a newly established ad hoc committee, Communicating Advances in Radiation Education for Shielding (CARES). This ad hoc committee is charged with reviewing changes that would be occurring at facilities in terms of the use of shielding and developing training and educational materials for both health care professionals and the public. The committee is comprised of representatives from numerous organizations. Linda Kroger, past president of the HPS Medical Health Physics Section, volunteered to represent HPS on this committee. Recently, due to the vast array of differing opinions on the position statement and the possible challenges for implementation, both regulatory and otherwise, the AAPM issued an open letter to provide additional context for the statement and what is being done now. The AAPM has established an email address where individuals can send queries. In addition, HPS members can feel free to send their thoughts to Linda Kroger.