2010 Summer Professional Development School

Internal Dosimetry

23-26 June

 

The Eastern Idaho Chapter of the Health Physics Society (HPS), in collaboration with the Salt Lake City Chapter of HPS, proposes to conduct a four-day professional development school (PDS) Wednesday-Saturday, 23-26 June 2010. The PDS will be on internal dosimetry. Unlike past summer schools in this area of health physics intended for individuals with advanced skills in current techniques, this class is intended to bring the novice internal dosimetrist to a fairly functional level of competence. This course will be heavily structured to enhance the didactic value of materials present.

The instructors in this summer’s PDS are all recognized experts in academia and internal dosimetry. Our intention is to begin with a review of past practices in estimation of the intake of radioactive materials and the determination of consequences, which of course are still important to those reviewing records for dose reconstruction (Rich Brey). A detailed consideration of the implications and nuances of bioassay techniques both past and present and their limitations will be provided (Dick Toohey). An introduction to advanced internal dosimetry code IMBA will be provided (Alan Birchall). Consideration of the uncertainty in bioassay input parameters and estimated magnitudes of dose considering state-of-the-art approaches will be provided. This portion of the class will present a vision of the future of internal dosimetry and the challenges that are being overcome by those researchers active in this area (Matt Puncher). The art and science that is interpretation of bioassay results will be discussed (Tony James). A review of the Medical Internal Radiation Dosimetry (MIRD) system will be provided (Darrell Fisher). This will be followed with detailed instruction and problem solving using current internationally accepted dosimetry models and software, with many examples from operational experiences (Tom LaBone). The class will be completed with a review and comparison of pertinent bioassay regulations and consensus standards prescribing best bioassay practices (Gus Potter). See the tentative PDS schedule below. The flavor of this PDS will be more academically rigorous than passive, with actual homework assignments being given to participants. These homework questions and their answers will be a part of the written material given to students. Figure one provides the tentative schedule for the PDS.

Tentative 2010 Summer PDS Schedule

		Morning	Afternoon
Wednesday	23 June	Rich Brey: History and Development	Dick Toohey: Bioassay Methods
Thursday	24 June	Alan Birchall: Software/IMBA	Matt Puncher: Uncertainty
Friday	25 June	Tony James: Bioassay Interpretation	Darrell Fisher: MIRD
Saturday	26 June	Tom LaBone: Operational Experiences	Gus Potter: Regulatory Aspects

Location

The PDS will be held on the campus of Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello, Idaho. This is located about 2 hours and 15 minutes by car north of Salt Lake City Airport. There are several options for traveling to Pocatello. One may fly directly into Pocatello, which is a regional destination for SkyWest Airlines (Delta connection); one may fly into Idaho Falls, which typically has more flight options and is about a 50-mile commute; one may rent a car and drive; or one may take a reliable and inexpensive shuttle (Salt Lake Express, www.saltlakeexpress.com) from the Salt Lake City airport to Pocatello ($36 one-way).

Registration

Registration fees:

HPS Member: $700    Nonmember: $835 (includes HPS Associate Membership for 2010)

As an experiment, the PDS will be available as an encoded streaming video for a finite access period on the ISU server or placed on the HPS server for some predetermined length of time. The video capturing would be conducted by a professional staff available through the university and would be conducted, depending on enrollment, in either an available lecture hall adequate for the numbers of students enrolled or a studio classroom developed for the purpose of video/audio capture. The registration fees will remain the same regardless of on-site or online participation.

Click here for the registration form.

Lodging

Lodging is available at the Red Lion Hotel Pocatello. Reservations can be made by calling 208-233-2200 or 1-800-RED-LION. Ask for the ISU HPS-PDS rate of $76.95 per night. Space is limited so please reserve early. Rate available until May 28 or when the room block sells out, whichever comes first.

For those on a tighter budget, lodging will also be available on campus at ISU. PDS participants have the option of staying at the Rendezvous Center or Dyer Hall. Rendezvous Center rooms are quad occupancy-style suites. Each room has a private bedroom and a shared living room and bathroom. The cost is $17 per night plus a one-time $7 charge for linens. Rooms in Dyer Hall contain two single beds and a shared communal bathroom (on each floor). The cost is $12 per night plus a one-time $7 charge for linens. Please contact Bobby Arteaga at 208-282-3699 if you wish to lodge at ISU.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are included in the registration fee. Friday’s Night-Out dinner is also included. Note: No rebates will be given for missed meals.

Contacts

For further information or questions contact Academic Dean Richard Brey or Administrative Dean Jason Harris.