Current News Archive

14 August 2019
LAC Plans for 2020 HPS Midyear Meeting

Kathy McLellan, Local Arrangements Committee Cochair

Welcome to the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) midyear meeting corner. The 2020 Health Physics Society (HPS) Midyear Meeting will be held 26–29 January in North Bethesda, Maryland. There are many restaurant venues in North Bethesda at the new Pike and Rose complex within walking distance north of the conference hotel, the Bethesda Marriott. If you are interested in more restaurants and entertainment options, Strathmore Music Center is just one Metro stop south of the hotel, downtown Bethesda is two Metro stops from the conference hotel, and the heart of downtown Washington, DC, is an easy Metro ride away.

The Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the Health Physics Society (BWCHPS) LAC is working to schedule some exciting technical tours that will give you an insider look at a few of the unique US government facilities in the Washington, DC, area. Note that two of the tours are at US military installations so attendance will be limited to US citizens.

  1. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Emergency Operations Center: This tour takes place in the newly constructed building across from the hotel and next door to the two NRC tower buildings. At this center, the NRC receives and evaluates event reports and coordinates incident-response activities 24 hours a day. Multiple tours can accommodate high interest levels and busy conference schedules.
  2. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI): The AFRRI mission is to preserve and protect the health and performance of US military personnel through research and training that advance understanding of the effects of ionizing radiation. The facility is located just 6.5 kilometers south of the conference hotel on the grounds of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Highlights of the tour include a 1.1 MW TRIGA Mark-F nuclear research reactor and a large 60Co irradiator.
  3. David Taylor Model Basin (DTMB): DTMB is one of the largest ship model basins—test facilities for the development of ship design—in the world. DTMB is located on the grounds of the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, just 15 minutes away from the conference hotel. This tour will provide a rare glimpse into this unique facility.

We are always looking for volunteers to join the LAC here with the BWCHPS. Please contact Kathy McLellan and Jeff Chapman for further information.