Health Physics News

HPS Web Operations

We will be giving away these great books and more at the 70th HPS Annual Meeting, being held 11–17 July 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Be sure to visit the Health Physics Society Publications Booth in the exhibit hall Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon for your chance to win. It’s as easy as dropping off your business card or a piece of paper with your name. We are giving away over $6,000 worth of health physics-related books!

While you are at the Publications Booth, visit the HPS editors and share your thoughts on what we are doing and what you would like to see us do. The HPS issues several types of official publications: the HPS website, Health Physics News, the Health Physics Journal, Operational Radiation Safety, special publications (proceedings and educational materials), and American National Standards. The HPS also has an active social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

An Introduction to Radiation Protection in Medicine – Edited by Jamie V. Trapp and Tomas Kron (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN 9781584889649)

The Atomic City Girls – Janet Beard (available from HarperCollinsPublishers, ISBN: 9780062666710)

A Very Expensive Poison – Luke Harding (available from Penguin Random House, ISBN: 9781101973998)

Critical Connections: The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge from the Dawn of the Atomic Age to the Present – Lee Riedinger, Al Ekkebus, Ray Smith, and William Bugg (available from The University of Tennessee Press, ISBN: 978-1-62190-654-4)

Dead Hot – M.K. Coker (available from Amazon, ISBN-10: 1545120609, ISBN-13: ‎978-1545120606)

Decommissioning Health Physics: A Handbook for MARRSIM Users, Second Edition – Eric W. Abelquist (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780367867133)

The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging, Fourth Edition – Jerrold T. Bushberg, J. Anthony Seibert, Edwin M. Leidholdt, Jr., and John M. Boone (available from Wolters Kluwer, ISBN: 9781975103224)

The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging: Study Guide — Jerrold T. Bushberg and J. Anthony Seibert (available from Wolters Kluwer, ISBN: 9781975103262)

Fundamentals of Health Physics & Radiation Protection – Dr. Philip C Fulmer (available from Amazon, ISBN-13: ‎979-8989597901)

The Girls of Atomic City – Denise Kernan (available from Simon & Schuster, ISBN: 978-1-4516-1753-5)

The Health Physics Solutions Manual, Third Edition – Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN: ISBN-10: 1929169051, ISBN-13: 978-1929169054)

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot (available from Penguin Random House, ISBN 978-1-4000-5218-9)

Introduction to Health Physics, Sixth Edition – Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-24-5, ISBN-13: 978-1929169245)

Khan’s The Physics of Radiation Therapy, Sixth Edition – John P. Gibbons (available from Wolters Kluwer, ISBN: 9781496397522)

Laser Lessons News Letter: Volumes 1–4 – Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Low Dose Radiation: The History of the U.S. Department of Energy Research Program – Antone L. Brooks (available from WSU Press, ISBN: 978-0-87422-354-5)

Nuclear Materials: An Overview – Haydee Domenech (available from CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, ISBN: 978-1-032-35368-5)

Principles of Nuclear Radiation Detection – Geoffrey G. Eichholz and John W. Poston (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9781315895970)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Guide for Technologists, Second Edition – Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-16-0, ISBN-13: 978-1929169160)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Workbook for Technologists – Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169078, ISBN-13: 978-1929169078)

Radiation Protection: Solutions Manual – David J. Dolan and Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169153, ISBN-13: 978-1929169153)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Guide for Canadian Technologists – Thomas E. Johnson and Francis E. Tourneur (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-17-7, ISBN-13: 978-1929169-17-7)

Radiation Protection: The Essential Workbook for Canadian Technologists – Thomas E. Johnson and Francis E. Tourneur (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-21-4, ISBN-13: 978-1929169-21-4)

Radiation Protection: Canadian Solutions Manual – David J. Dolan, Francis E. Tourneur, and Thomas E. Johnson (available from Pastime Publications, ISBN-10: 1929169-18-4, ISBN-13: 978-1929169-18-4)

Radiation Protection in Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology – Edited by Richard J. Vetter and Magdalena S. Stoeva (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 978-0-367-57521-2) 2 copies @

Radiation Risks in Perspective – Kenneth L. Mossman (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780367453435)

Radiation Safety: Management and Programs – Haydee Domenech (available from Springer, ISBN: 978-3-319-42669-3)

Radioactive Air Sampling Methods – Edited by Mark L. Maiello and Mark D. Hoover (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780849397172)

Radiobiology for the Radiologist, Eighth Edition – Eric J. Hall and Amato J. Giaccia (available from Wolters Kluwer, ISBN: 978-1-4963-3541-8)

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women – Kate Moore (available from Amazon, ISBN: 978-1-4926-5095-9)

X-Ray Imaging: Fundamentals, Industrial Techniques and Applications – Harry E. Martz, Jr., Clint M. Logan, Daniel J. Schneberk, and Peter J. Shull (available from Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, ISBN: 9780849397721)

 

Liz Brackett, HPS President, 2023–2025

This is a dynamic time to be a radiation protection professional. The current national and global environment has brought new challenges – but also new opportunities – for the Health Physics Society (HPS) and our members to contribute in meaningful ways.

I’ve been excited to see several of you stepping forward as experts in media coverage surrounding recent executive orders and the evolving situation with Iran. Your expertise and professionalism have helped inform the public and decision-makers alike, and it’s clear that the voice of HPS is being heard and valued in important conversations.

Our recent open forums on the executive orders, cosponsored by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), were a tremendous success, and I want to thank everyone who participated. I’d particularly like to thank Dr. Emily Caffrey and Dr. Charles Wilson for their efforts in planning and hosting these sessions. Participants included a broad spectrum of health physicists as well as an additional diverse audience that saw activists, government employees, and members of the press joining us. Your thoughtful engagement put HPS at the forefront of timely, high-impact discussions. We’ve received much positive feedback from these sessions.

What stood out most to me was the respectful and constructive tone of our dialogue. Even amid differing perspectives, there was a strong sense of shared purpose and mutual respect. I believe many of us are closer in opinion than we might think, and that gives me hope for continued collaboration and progress. Respectful discourse is essential as we move forward.

The upcoming HPS annual meeting – just a few weeks away – offers an excellent opportunity for continued discussion. Emily and Charles are preparing a summary paper for publication that details the data and comments from the forum, but I’m pleased to announce that we’ll get a preview of this work during a special presentation Monday morning following the plenary session. This will include highlights of the discussion and results from the participant polling.

Thank you again for your continued dedication and contributions to the Society and the field of health physics. I look forward to seeing many of you in Madison!

Jim F. Herrold, CHP, RRPT, University of Wyoming, Chair, US Technical Advisory Groups for ISO/TC 85 and SC 2

International Standards on Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Technologies, and Radiological Protection

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a federation of national standards bodies. US participation in ISO Technical Committees and Subcommittees is through accredited American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs). The Nuclear Technical Advisory Group (NTAG) coordinates ISO Technical Committee 85 (ISO/TC 85) and subcommittees. The Administrator of the NTAG is ASTM International. Information on ISO/TC 85 can be found on the ISO Committee website and on the new ISO/TC 85 website. (Also see Health Physics News December 2019 and May 2023).

Did you know…? The Health Physics Society (HPS), through the HPS Standards Committee, sponsors US participation in ISO/TC 85 through monetary contributions in support of HPS members who volunteer for NTAG and to attend international meetings.

What’s new in ISO and TC 85 2024-2025?

• ISO/IEC Online Standards Development (OSD) platform: The OSD replaces Word-based standard development with a collaborative working space. See the ISO/OSD website.
• US expert appointed: Jim Herrold was appointed convenor of the SC2 Advisory Group for 2024–2026, replacing Yann Billarand (France), who became chair of ISO/TC 85/SC2.
• Revived TC 85 working group: ISO/TC 85/WG4 (Integrated management systems in nuclear and radiological domains) was revived in 2024.
• International meetings: The 2024 ISO/TC 85, SC2, and SC6 meetings were in Hangzhou, China, 14–18 October. In-person delegates were Jim Herrold and Melissa Martin.
• Termination of project with ASTM: In 2024, ISO/TC 85 disbanded ISO/TC 85/WG3, Dosimetry for radiation processing. The 25 joint standards will be maintained by ASTM.
• Proposed projects: At the 2024 ISO/TC 85 plenary, new subcommittees and projects on Nuclear Fusion Technology and Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors were proposed. ISO/TC 85/SC2 agreed to create an ad hoc group to explore standards on measuring/monitoring radioactivity using aerial systems.
• 26 in ’26: The United States offered to host the 26th meetings of ISO/TC 85 in 2026. NTAG is seeking sponsors to cover some costs. Details will be published later.
• NTAG HPS members: Kyle Peltier and Brett Rosenberg were elected in 2024, and Emily Caffrey and Charles Wilson in 2025. Rick Cummings retired in 2024, and we recently lost a long-time contributor, Mike Stabin, who will be deeply missed.

ISO/TC 85 standards for public comment

ISO standard review ballots are circulated every five years to decide whether to confirm, update, or withdraw. Contact Jim Herrold if you want to review the following standards from ISO/TC 85. All votes must be returned via email by 22 August 2025. Abstracts of the standards are found on the Standards by ISO/TC 85 website.

• ISO 361:1975 – Basic ionizing radiation symbol
• ISO 12749-1:2020 – Nuclear energy – Vocabulary – Part 1: General terminology
• ISO 8769:2020 – Measurement of radioactivity – Alpha-, beta-, and photon-emitting radionuclides – Reference measurement standard specifications for the calibration of surface contamination monitors
• ISO/TS 11665-12:2018 – Measurement of radioactivity in the environment – Air: radon-222 – Part 12: Determination of the diffusion coefficient in waterproof materials: Membrane one-side activity concentration measurement method

Contacts: TAG Chair, ISO/TC 85 and ISO/TC 85/SC2, Jim Herrold; NTAG Administrator Steve Mawn; SC5 TAG Chair Mike Brisson; SC6 TAG Chair Michael LaFontaine; HPS Standards Committee Chair Antonio Triventi

As you are preparing for the 70th Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting in Madison, take a look at the photos from last year’s meeting to kindle excitement for what lies ahead.

Held jointly by the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) and the HPS, the IRPA 16/69th HPS Annual Meeting took place 7–12 July 2024 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. The venue was packed and so was the schedule, with more attendees, sessions, and events than usual throughout the week. Click here to see a photo essay put together by Health Physics News.

Mike Mahathy, HPS Treasurer

With fewer than 30 days to go until the 2025 Health Physics Society (HPS) raffle drawing, here are two questions:

1. Will you be the big winner? You have good odds to win if you have a ticket.
2. When you win, will you take the car or cash?

Please support the mission of HPS and core services such as development of ANSI standards and promulgation of scientific and public policy by purchasing your raffle ticket now. You could win a Hyundai Ioniq or cash! The winners will be announced on 16 July at the HPS Members/Business Meeting during the 70th HPS Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin.

To help fund our important mission, donate here.

Congratulations to the recipients of the following Health Physics Society (HPS) awards, which will be presented in July during the 70th HPS Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin.

Elda Anderson Award: Chu Wang

Robley Evans Medal: Nolan Hertel

Distinguished Scientific Achievement: David Medich, Bruce Napier, and Gus Potter

Fellows: Stephen Balter, Jerry Falo, Kendall Berry, Katherine McLellan, Steve Sugarman, and Craig Marianno

Download the app for the 70th Health Physics Society Annual Meeting, being held 13–17 July 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. Just scan the QR code above and you will find all the meeting information that you need right at your fingertips! You can also get the app by searching HPS 2025 in the Apple Store or Google Play.

You can also visit the meeting website to register for the meeting, sign up for courses, and search through the sessions, social activities, and other meeting events as you plan your itinerary.

Sending health physicists to the Health Physics Society annual meeting is a strategic investment that benefits both the employee and the organization. These conferences provide direct access to the latest research, regulatory updates, and emerging technologies in radiation protection. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in a variety of specialized courses such as internal dosimetry, emergency response planning, environmental monitoring, risk communication, and radiation detection instrumentation. By engaging in these focused educational sessions, health physicists expand their technical skill sets and bring back practical, up-to-date knowledge that can immediately enhance your organization’s radiation safety programs.

In addition to the technical and regulatory learning, the annual meeting also supports professional development and networking. Employees connect with industry leaders, regulators, and peers, exchanging solutions to common challenges and exploring innovative practices. The exposure to real-world case studies, workshops, and continuing education courses helps strengthen problem-solving skills and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Supporting employee attendance not only advances individual expertise but also demonstrates your organization’s commitment to excellence, compliance, and leadership in the field of health physics.

That being said, come join us in Madison, Wisconsin, at the 70th Health Physics Society Annual Meeting, 13–17 July 2025!

Mike Lewandowski, FHPS, CHP, Local Arrangements Committee

The 70th Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting is just days away. We’re looking forward to hosting you in Madison. The technical program is robust and there is an excellent slate of continuing education courses. We have a technical tour to the Shine facility in Janesville that is so well subscribed we’re likely to be able to increase the number of participants with a second tour. If you’re not already on the waitlist, register today and wait for details.

The social events are well subscribed and we’re looking forward to showing off the beauty of Madison’s natural and cultural landscape. There’s still space to register for the cultural landscape tour. Be sure to join the State Street walking tour and the visit to the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Register for the day trip to New Glarus to experience a Swiss community, no passport, Real ID or customs questionnaires required. We’re also highlighting Madison’s history with a walking tour of the Edgewater Hotel, Madison’s long-time luxury hotel and a guided tour of the Capitol.

Don’t forget the annual meeting 5K. This run or walk is along the shores of picturesque Lake Monona. It’s a great way to start your day. You can then feel good about ending your day with “A Curie for Your Ales” microbrewery tour. Enjoy relaxing with new and old friends and partake in local and regional craft beers or other refreshments. Register now for both events.

We’re happy to announce that we’ve negotiated a special rate with Madison BCycle for discounted passes that allow unlimited rides (up to 60 minutes at a time). Download the app and use code “HPS2025” to purchase a monthly pass for $16.88 instead of $33.76. This pass allows unlimited rentals 24 hours a day. Be sure to get from station to station within 60 minutes to prevent any additional charges. There is a station directly outside the Monona Terrace Convention Center, two near the Concourse Hotel, and several around the Square. Find more stations here. FAQs about bike sharing are here.

After the HPS Business Meeting on Wednesday, 16 July, be sure to head over to the Capitol square for Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Mozart & Mahler concert on the square. Each week the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra puts on a free concert from the steps of the Capitol. This is a widely attended community event with food and drink available or you can bring your own. Tables can be reserved at the WCO website or you can grab any available space on the Capitol lawn. Be advised that locals will stake out prime seating hours before the concert starts.

It’s not too late to pick up a commemorative shirt, hat or water bottle. The online store will be open until 24 July. Your order will be shipped directly to your home.

This is going to be a great meeting. We can’t wait to see you. If you have questions about the meeting or Madison, feel free to contact LAC Cochairs Jessica Joyce and Jason Rusch.

Martha Dibblee, Section Newsletter Editor

The Accelerator Session at the upcoming 70th Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, 16 July 2025, 2:30 pm–4:30pm. This session will conclude with the HPS Accelerator Section annual business meeting, during which officers will be elected.

Session chairs are Sara Dumit, PhD, scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Marcia Campos Torres, PhD, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

In this session, there will be a total of five papers, including two student papers: “Radiation Protection Design of SLAC Cryomodule Repair and Maintenance Facility Horizontal Test Stand” (3:10-3:30), presented by Sherry Adadi, MS, Georgia Institute of Technology, and “Penetration Shielding for the MEC-U Laser Facility” (3:30-3:50), presented by Patrick Connolly, MS, Georgia Tech.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are seeking suggestions for experts to participate in a new study, Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers. The selected committee will conduct a study on radiation exposure to crewmembers aboard commercial airlines for select flight paths. The committee will consider existing literature and data, as well as current computational methods, to evaluate and estimate radiation exposure of flight crew and the potential health outcomes from radiation exposure.

Using the suggestions, National Academies staff will build a committee of approximately 10 volunteer experts in addition to collecting information for potential speakers, participants, and peer reviewers for any publications resulting from the activity.

Nominations are requested for individuals with expertise in the following areas:

• Radiation epidemiology
• Cancer epidemiology
• Health physics
• Computational modeling and radiation dose estimation
• Radiation dosimetry
• Airline operations
• Occupational health and safety
• Radiation risk mitigation

For more information, view the nomination form. We invite you to submit your suggestions by 18 July 2025.

Health Physics Society member Michael Stabin died recently. An In Memoriam piece will be posted on the HPS website at a future date. Click here to read a post by his employer, Voximetry.

Latha Vasudevan, Committee Chair

The Health Physics Society (HPS) Science Support Committee will be hosting a science teacher workshop during the 70th HPS Annual Meeting at Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin. The workshop will be held virtually and in person on 13 July 2025, 1 pm–5 pm Central.

The workshop is specifically for middle and high school teachers wanting to learn—and share—information about ionizing radiation and radiation protection with their students. This is a 4-hour overview of fundamentals of radiation and also includes lesson plans and a radiation detector kit.

There is no registration fee for the workshop. Science teachers can complete the registration form and submit it to the Science Support Committee. (Please open and complete the form in Adobe Acrobat.)

Please reach out to local science teachers and encourage them to participate in this workshop.

The Editorial Board of Health Physics is pleased to announce that the paper “Radiation Protection Considerations for Cancer Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Receiving ¹³¹I Treatment” (Health Phys. 126(1):1–17, January 2024) has been selected as the winner of the 2024 Michael T. Ryan Outstanding Paper of the Year Award.

Authored by Matthew Louis, Emmanuel Mate-Kole, Landon Aziz, and Prof. Shaheen Dewji, this work was chosen from among all papers published in Health Physics in 2024. The Editorial Board recognized it for its outstanding scientific merit, accuracy, balance, innovation, and impact.

This prestigious award honors the legacy of Dr. Michael T. Ryan, who served as editor in chief of Health Physics from 1999 to 2017.

Read the award-winning paper here.

Please join us in congratulating the authors on this outstanding achievement!

Emily Caffrey and Charles Wilson

The Health Physics Society (HPS), in collaboration with the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), hosted two open forums addressing the impact of recent executive orders on radiation protection practices. Moderated by Dr. Emily Caffrey and Dr. Charles Wilson, these sessions explored the implications of key policy shifts in radiation protection. The forums offered the health physics community and interested parties the opportunity to openly discuss the future of radiation protection.

Topics included deregulatory initiatives, reforms to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the future of LNT and ALARA principles. These unrecorded, interactive forums will inform forthcoming technical and policy papers. The first forum had 800 participants and the second 600, demonstrating significant interest in the topic!

Participants and others in the radiation protection community are encouraged to submit comments through 27 June to Charles Wilson.

Mike Lewandowski, CHP, FHPS, President-elect

Each year at the Health Physics Society (HPS) annual meeting there are a large number of volunteers who have served on HPS committees and task forces who complete their terms. Let’s all thank those individuals for their service to our professional society. We’ve all benefited from their efforts and now it’s time to pay it back. We need to fill those vacancies.

Over the past few weeks, I have heard from several HPS members who are willing to serve on specific committees. The Society Support Committee and Early Career Section have been doing a great job in helping to recruit new committee members. I hope you have seen the recent Committee Profiles that the ad hoc Marketing Committee has published. Thank you to all who have been involved in those efforts! Despite these strong efforts, there are still openings for volunteers.

You can find summary information about what each committee does on each committee’s web page along with a button to easily volunteer for that committee. You can find details about the committee responsibility in the HPS Rules. Most committees even have detailed standard operating procedures. Committee appointments are typically for three years. To balance committee member turnover, there may be some positions that are for one year or two years. Committee chairs are appointed for one-year terms. By the way, both committee members and chairs can apply to extend their terms.

In June I’ll be emailing all current committee chairs and their HPS directors to verify that I have the latest list of committee members and to learn who is interested in leaving the committee and who is interested in extending their terms. I also need to know if the committee chair or director have recommendations for new committee members and new committee chairs.

If you’re interested in serving on a committee or task force, including serving as a chair, please let me know directly or through the volunteer button on the committee web page. If you’ve already volunteered, but haven’t heard anything, contact me to be sure that we can connect you to a committee. HPS is only as strong as its members, and we need your involvement. Get involved and stay engaged. This is one way for you to contribute to our profession as well as get to know some really amazing health physicists from across the country. Reach out if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for stepping up.

Mike Lewandowski, FHPS, CHP, Local Arrangements Committee

We’re within one month of the 70th Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society (HPS). If you haven’t registered, now is the time (click here). While we know that the attendance at this meeting is being affected by significant restrictions from federal agencies and reductions in government funding, there is no reduction in the quality of technical presentations and continuing education offerings. In fact, PEP courses scheduled for Thursday morning, 17 July, are free. There is also a full slate of social activities to round out this meeting. Let’s review.

A new addition to the social event program for Sunday, 13 July, is a walking tour of the historic Edgewater hotel located on the shore of Lake Mendota just a few blocks from the Capitol. Learn about the history and architecture of Madison’s premiere luxury hotel and the notable guests that the Edgewater has hosted since the 1940s. This tour is free; no registration is required. The tour group will depart from the front entrance of the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center (Olin Terrace, Level 5) at 11:30 am. We’ll enjoy a 20-minute walk past the Capitol right to the Edgewater for an approximately 45-minute guided tour of the hotel and presentation on its history. On the way back to Monona Terrace we’ll stop by Ian’s Pizza for lunch (on your own).

Madison is a great place to walk, and we’ll continue that on Monday, 14 July, with walking tours of the Wisconsin state Capitol, eclectic State Street, and a cultural landscape tour. More details are available on the Madison meeting microsite.

Highlights for Tuesday, 15 July, include the 5K run/walk along the shores of Lake Monona. Treat yourself to a more cosmopolitan experience by attending the day tour of New Glarus. New Glarus is a charming village in the rolling hills of south-central Wisconsin. Our historic Swiss community offers a safe, walkable, and unforgettable experience for your guests. In recent years, New Glarus has been spotlighted in many publications, including National Geographic, Reader’s Digest, Wyndham Destinations, and Conde Nast Traveler. With all the appeal of a quaint European village, New Glarus is a crowd-pleasing destination. We’ll depart from Madison by bus on a ride through the countryside to enjoy the rolling hills and fields of green. Once there we will tour the Swiss Historical Village & Museum, enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants in downtown New Glarus, then go off to explore New Glarus Brewing Company and Bailey’s Run Vineyard. The tour cost includes transportation, but food, beverage, and museum entrance fees are additional. For those who visit New Glarus and haven’t had enough of one of Wisconsin’s favorite beverages, or for those who did not visit the New Glarus Brewing Company, end the day with our “Curie for your Ales” microbrewery tour departing from Monona Terrace.

Our events on Wednesday, 15 July, are focused on the vibrancy of the natural world. Start your day at the renowned Dane County Farmers Market located right outside Monona Terrace. The Wednesday market is the little sibling of the amazing Saturday market that occupies the square around the Capitol. (If you’re in Madison on Saturday morning, you definitely need to experience the Farmers Market.) The final scheduled social event of the Madison meeting is a tour of the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. After a short bus ride to the gardens, we’ll enjoy the wide variety of native and exotic botanical specimens outdoors and in the Bolz Conservatory. The details are on the Madison meeting microsite.

Don’t forget about the technical tour of the SHINE isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, 15 July. If you haven’t already registered, be sure to get on the waitlist. If there is enough interest, there will be a second bus and tour scheduled. Learn more about SHINE here. More details are on the meeting microsite.

No HPS meeting is complete without a commemorative shirt, hat, or other swag. The Local Arrangements Committee has partnered with Madison Top Company to offer logo shirts, hats, and water bottles. Check out the site here. The last day to order swag for pick up at the annual meeting 15 June. All orders after 15 June must be shipped to you.

This is going to be a great meeting regardless of size. We’re looking forward to seeing you in Madison. If you have questions about the meeting or Madison, feel free to contact LAC Cochairs Jessica Joyce and Jason Rusch.

Ken Gavlik, Section President

The Decommissioning Section will be conducting presentations related to decontamination and decommissioning at the 70th Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting, Wednesday, 16 July 2025, from 9:00 to 11:20 am in the Hall of Ideas F/I. The section’s annual business meeting will follow immediately after.

Additionally, the Decommissioning Section Board is reaching out for volunteers for all officer and Board member positions. If you would like to volunteer or nominate, please notify the Board quickly. We would like to hold an election in the very near future.

In addition to its quarterly webinar series with San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), the Board is also attempting to implement a monthly spotlight on current decommissioning projects, regulatory issues, and/or recent HPS Journal papers relevant to decommissioning. Please let us know your thoughts and keep an eye out for an invitation to the next SONGs webinar in August.

MotherToBaby

We are pleased to share our latest MotherToBaby Podcast, episode #85, “Radiation & Breastfeeding: Understanding the Risks and Realities,” now available for listening and sharing with your network.

In this episode, genetic counselor and podcast host Chris Stallman is joined by Dr. Emily Caffrey, a certified health physicist representing our valued partners at the Health Physics Society.

Together, they explore:

• The distinction between ionizing and nonionizing radiation.
• Considerations for diagnostic procedures (x rays, CT scans, MRIs) during breastfeeding.
• The impact of contrast agents and radioactive tracers.
• When to pause or discontinue breastfeeding based on exposure.
• The importance of individualized counseling and informed decision-making.

We encourage you to share this episode with colleagues, patients, and anyone seeking evidence-based guidance on this frequently asked topic.

Click here to listen to the episode.

Click here to watch the YouTube version.

Are you passionate about increasing public awareness of health physics and the safe use of ionizing radiation?

The Health Physics Society (HPS) Public Information Committee is seeking dedicated volunteers to help us:

• Gather, organize, and present information aligned with the Society’s mission.
• Communicate effectively with both professional and general audiences.
• Develop accurate, unbiased educational materials like fact sheets.
• Create engaging content for HPS social media platforms.

This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact by promoting informed public understanding of radiation science.

If you’re an HPS member interested in joining us, we’d love to hear from you! Click here to send us an email.

Get involved and help us shape the future of health physics communication.

Moderators: Dr. Emily Caffrey, CHP, and Dr. Charles Wilson, CHP

The Health Physics Society (HPS), jointly with the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), is holding a two-part webinar and open forum 9–10 June 2025 on the recent executive orders (EO) and their impact on health physics.

The significant influx of EOs over the past few months touches many professions and individuals in the United States. This two-part forum will open discussion with the health physics community on three of the EOs perceived most likely to influence the future of radiation protection.

*Any opinions expressed during the webinar reflect the speaker, not the HPS or NCRP.

Session 1: Monday, 9 June, 12:30–2:30 Eastern: Executive Orders on Radiation Protection: An Open Forum to Discuss Challenges and Opportunities

Click here to register

• Summary of the EOs as understood by the moderators and guest speakers (20 minutes)
• Open discussion on potential benefits and challenges for health physicists (1 hour, 30 minutes)
• Closing summary of key findings (10 minutes)

Session 2: Tuesday, 10 June, 2:00–4:00 Eastern: Executive Orders on Radiation Protection: An Open Forum to Discuss the Path Forward

Click here to register

• Summary of Session 1 by the moderators (20 minutes)
• Open discussion focusing on path forward to coalesce recommendations (1 hour, 30 minutes)
• Summary of key recommendations and options for continuing the dialogue (10 minutes)

NOTE: You MUST register for each webinar separately!!

Rules for Participants

By joining the webinar, you agree to:

1. Read the EOs linked below prior to the webinars.
2. Adhere to the HPS Respectful Behavior Policy.
3. Abide by Chatham House Rules: “Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”
4. Webinar participants will be allotted a maximum of 1.5 minutes to speak during the webinar. Comments and questions will be accepted via the Q&A function. Detailed comments and opinions for inclusion in the article will be accepted for approximately 2 weeks following the event (until Friday, 27 June) at CwilsonHPS@gmail.com.

The sessions will not be recorded; however, AI will be utilized to take notes. The outcome of the open forums will be a summary of findings and recommendations for publication. Participants will have the opportunity to submit comments and thoughts for the paper anonymously or named as preferred.

Executive Orders

• EO 14270

“Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy” will require the listed agencies to add a conditional sunset provision to all relevant regulations one year from 30 September 2025.

White House Fact Sheet

• EO 14192

“Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation” will require for each new regulation issued, at least 10 prior regulations be identified for elimination.

Memorandum

White House Fact Sheet

• EO 14300

“Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission” aims to reshape the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, specifically requiring review of LNT and ALARA dependencies.

White House Fact Sheet

Others to consider:

• Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base
• Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security
• Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy
• Fighting Overcriminalization in Federal Regulations
• Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies

The Health Physics Society (HPS) proudly recognizes HPS President Emeritus Ruth McBurney, CHP, on her upcoming retirement from her role as executive director of the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD).

At the CRCPD annual meeting last week, HPS President Emeritus Kevin Nelson, PhD, CHP, and current HPS Board member Angela Leek, PhD, CHP, presented a formal resolution honoring Ruth’s distinguished career and exemplary contributions to the profession.

HPS extends its deepest gratitude to Ruth for her decades of service and her lasting impact on the radiation protection community. We wish her all the best in this next chapter.

Get your 2025 Health Physics Society (HPS) raffle ticket here and support the mission of HPS, with a chance to win an amazing Hyundai Ioniq or a bunch of cash!

Following is a testimonial from recent raffle winners Henry and Amber Bolen. “For many years, we always purchased a handful of HPS raffle tickets as soon as they went on sale. We love being able to contribute to the HPS fundraising while also knowing there’s a slim chance we will win something! Last year, we had arrived at the national meeting and were getting ready for bed when an email came in reminding us raffle ticket sales were closing. We realized we hadn’t bought our tickets yet. We had a quick discussion about whether we wanted to purchase and went ahead and got a few. Good call! A couple of days later, Mike Mahathy messaged us out of the blue to let us know our ticket was drawn for the grand prize. While the prize pool wasn’t maxed out, this was a substantial amount of winnings! It was so much fun to take our kids down to the committee meeting and hear the announcement of the prize money. We were headed to Lego Land the next day, so we went ahead and upgraded our tickets! We also put some of our winnings toward an auction for a NASA jacket autographed by astronaut Norman Thagard. We loved that our daughters got to be part of the win, and the fact that we could gift this jacket to them and further inspire their young interest in STEM and health physics was the icing on the cake. What a fun way to wrap a great national meeting!”

Frederick Monette, Great Salt Lake Chapter President

The 2025 annual John Horan Health Physics Symposium, held jointly by the Great Salt Lake Chapter and Idaho Chapter of the Health Physics Society (HPS), was held 4 April 2025 at the University of Utah.

The symposium, held annually for over 20 years, is named in honor of John Horan, an influential health physicist at the Idaho National Laboratory, past president of the HPS, and key player in the recovery following the 1961 SL-1 reactor accident. John passed away in 1999 but his legacy lives on.

The 2025 symposium was attended by 50 radiation safety professionals from both Utah and Idaho, including students from Idaho State University and the University of Utah. The agenda included 15 technical presentations, ranging from a review of biokinetics and toxicity of plutonium to the emerging field of theranostics. HPS President-elect Mike Lewandowski attended and provided an update of recent and planned national HPS happenings as well as an engaging technical presentation on radiation gauges.

The event was a great educational and networking opportunity!

Liz Brackett, HPS President, 2023–2025

This spring, representatives of the Health Physics Society (HPS) conducted a series of meetings in Washington, DC, with congressional staff, regulatory officials, and industry partners. The HPS contingent included President Liz Brackett, President-elect Mike Lewandowski, Executive Director Brett Burk, Agency Liaison Craig Little, and Congressional Liaison David Connolly. These engagements included discussions with staff from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the House Science Committee, and the House Energy Subcommittee, as well as with the Environmental Protection Agency, three Commissioners from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, and representatives from the Nuclear Energy Institute.

While many of these meetings were with long-standing contacts, several were first-time introductions. In those cases, HPS representatives provided an overview of the Society’s mission and ongoing initiatives. Central to this year’s conversations were continued support for academic radiation safety programs, addressing workforce challenges in the field, and ensuring robust professional pipelines for future radiation protection experts.

A notable topic of concern this year was federal agency travel policy, reflecting growing attention to the ability of federal professionals to participate in conferences and training—a key issue for workforce development and continuing education.

Throughout the meetings, HPS highlighted the Society’s capacity to serve as a technical resource, with particular emphasis on the “Ask the Experts” system. This tool continues to be an effective channel through which HPS connects with the public and policymakers, providing scientifically grounded answers on radiation safety issues.

Encouragingly, the Society was recognized by many as a trusted and respected source of information. In one example, a congressional office sought HPS input regarding recent media reports of radioactivity at the Luckey, Ohio, beryllium facility, following an article in the Toledo Blade. In another discussion, a question was raised about a recent Stanford University study related to CT scan radiation doses, underscoring the importance of our role in clarifying emerging scientific findings. Additionally, the NRC was looking to HPS for technical guidance on expected Executive mandates.

This year’s discussions were notably more candid than in years past, particularly in meetings with offices with whom HPS has built long-term relationships. While there was clear respect for the Society’s expertise, the conversations also revealed a shared sense of uncertainty about the future direction of nuclear policy and workforce development.

As always, HPS remains committed to engaging proactively with policymakers and stakeholders, advocating for informed decision-making, and supporting the health physics profession through science, service, and education.

The Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is calling for public comments on enhancing radiation protection by integrating creative lead shields that have become available for clinical use. See the SCAI website for more information on “SCAI/ASE/HRS/SIR/SVS Expert Consensus Statement on Enhanced Radiation Protection: Time for Mandatory and Urgent Action.” If you have experience in radiation protection for interventional cardiology procedures, feel free to provide your comment online by 26 May 2025.

Kendall Berry, MSPH, HPS Website Redevelopment & Deployment Task Force Chairperson

We have launched the new version of hps.org and our new membership platform. We have received many positive comments, and we are thrilled that you like the website. Naturally, there were some unexpected issues, and we are continuing to work daily to improve the functionality of the new website. If you happen to stumble upon something that doesn’t seem to be working correctly, please email a description of your observation and include the URL address where the issue is occurring to webeic@hps.org. We are actively working on the following issues and hope to have these resolved in the coming days: job and résumé postings, updating affiliates, and the Ask the Experts tool.

Committee leadership, please take a moment, review your committee pages, and provide updates to webeic@hps.org.

All HPS members were transferred to the new HPS membership database so you should not need to create a new profile. Please use your previous HPS member email to log into the new platform using this email as your name and password initially. Once in, you will have the option to update any information including your password. You will also have access to the journal and access to register for the Annual Meeting. If you have many e-mail addresses and forget which is associated with your HPS membership, please reach out to members@hps.org for assistance. The membership directory is currently unavailable, and we are working with the membership platform company to address this situation as soon as possible.

Thanks for your support and patience!

Support the Health Physics Society (HPS) and win an amazing Hyundai Ioniq 5 or a bunch of cash in the 2025 HPS raffle! Chances of winning are excellent because only a limited number of entries will be allowed; we are only offering 2,000 total tickets for this raffle.

Click here to donate today for a chance to win one of our three prizes:

• • • • • • • • • • Top Prize: $42,600 credit toward a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or $42,600 cash (or 50/50, see below)
                  • 2nd Place: $1,000
                  • 3rd Place: $500

This raffle has a twist. It is a 50/50 raffle until we sell 1,082 tickets. The Health Physics Fund and the Top Prize winner will equally split the proceeds minus $1,500 for the 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Once we sell 1,082 tickets, the top prize is $42,600 towards a Hyundai Ioniq or cash.

The winners will be announced on 16 July at the HPS Members/Business Meeting!

Proceeds from the raffle will support the work of HPS committees and core services—including those focused on education, science support, standards, public information, and professional development—helping to advance initiatives that promote radiation safety, foster collaboration across sectors, and strengthen the professional community.

Manar Sakalla, HPS Society Support Committee

Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are reshaping radiation protection?

Join us for an introductory webinar designed to demystify these powerful technologies and explore their growing impact on our field. Whether you’re new to AI/ML or looking to better understand the fundamentals, this session will prepare you for the exciting innovations to be discussed during the plenary session at the upcoming 70th Health Physics Society Annual Meeting in beautiful Madison, Wisconsin!

Speakers will be Shaheen Dewji, Martin Graffigna, and David Gonzalez. The webinar will take place Friday, 30 May, noon–1pm Eastern.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead of the curve! Register here.

 

Mike Lewandowski, FHPS, CHP, Local Arrangements Committee

It’s time to register for the 70th Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting, which will be held 13–17 July 2025 at Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to excellent oral and poster presentations and outstanding continuing education courses, there’s an opportunity to visit a state-of-the-art isotope production facility. Spend the morning of Tuesday, 15 July, on a technical tour of the SHINE isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin. A bus will take tour attendees from the Hilton Monona Terrace hotel to the SHINE facility, where we’ll get an introduction to the exciting work done at this facility. Learn about the technologies used to produce Lu-177 (shipping now) and Mo-99 (under construction). Learn more about SHINE here. Tour information is available on the annual meeting microsite.

No HPS meeting is complete without a commemorative shirt, hat, or other swag. The Local Arrangements Committee has partnered with Madison Top Company to offer logo shirts, hats, and water bottles. Check out the site here. Order before 15 June for pickup at the annual meeting.

You can find more details about all the social events, technical presentations, and continuing education on the Madison meeting microsite. Check back often as the Local Arrangements Committee, Program Committee, and HPS Headquarters staff will be adding information about the meeting to this site up until the meeting.

If you have questions about the meeting or Madison, feel free to contact LAC Cochairs Jessica Joyce and Jason Rusch.

William Irwin III, CHP, FHPS, Section Awards Chairman

The president of the Homeland Security and Emergency Response Section, Steve Sugarman, CHP, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Homeland Security and Emergency Response Section Distinguished Service Award: Doug Draper, CHP, FHPS, and K.L. “Ken” Groves, FHPS.

The awards will be formally presented at the Homeland Security and Emergency Response Section Business Meeting at the 70th Health Physics Society Annual Meeting in Madison this year.

Congratulations to the awardees. Their award citations and pictures will be in the December 2025 Health Physics Journal.

Latha Vasudevan, Chapter Public Relations Chair

At the recent State of Texas Chapter of Health Physics Society (STC-HPS) spring meeting, Zavier N. Ndum, a PhD candidate at Texas A&M University, Department of Nuclear Engineering, and past president of STC-HPS, presented the talk “Advancing Health Physics & Radiation Protection Through Domain-Knowledge-Embedded Large-Language-Model Agents.”

Zavier’s work shows how locally deployed generative-AI or large language model (LLM) agents can automate complex workflows and slash the time it takes to:

• Navigate bulky Nuclear Regulatory Commission/International Atomic Energy Agency regulations.
• Set up dose simulations in MCNP, FLUKA, GEANT4.
• Draft shielding or ALARA reports from hours to minutes, while keeping proprietary data secured.

Zavier’s work, which builds upon a proof-of-concept paper AutoFLUKA, is paving the way for innovative solutions in radiation detection, dosimetry, and shielding.

Zavier is running a short, anonymous survey of health physics practitioners to gauge where the profession most needs automation. It takes less than 8 minutes, and no identifying information is collected.

Add your voice: Take the survey. Your insights will steer the next iteration of his open-source framework, AutoFLUKA, and related AI helpers. Thank you for advancing the field!

Latha Vasudevan, Chapter Public Relations Chair

The State of Texas Chapter of the Health Physics Society (STC-HPS) hosted a two-day spring meeting 11–12 April 2025 at the Rudder Tower, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. On the evening of 10 April, the chapter had its executive council meeting, where the members discussed all the chapter activities and the new initiatives. We are so grateful to Radiation Detection Company for their generous sponsorship of our breakfast on the morning of 11 April. The meeting started off with opening remarks from STC-HPS President Erich Fruchtnicht, followed by his presentation “Industrial NORM: Where It Comes from and Why.”

The highlight of the meeting was the visit from HPS President-elect Mike Lewandowski, who spoke about the HPS and the advantages of Society membership. Mike was very cooperative and shared his knowledge and experience with the students and professionals. Students from Kenyatta University, Kenya, were able to participate virtually and presented their radon study. The chapter also hosted an instrumentation workshop on the evening of 11 April, and undergraduate nuclear engineering students from Texas A&M participated.

The spring meeting is typically meant as a platform for undergraduate/graduate students to display their project presentations and network with health physics professionals. The following individuals won the best paper presentation awards for graduate and undergraduate categories, respectively: first place ($250) Sofia Lara-Ramos, “Electron- Beam Technology: Fundamentals, Applications, and Safety”; second place ($150): Emily Schaefer, “Dosimetry 101-Basics of an Occupational Radiation Dosimetry Program”; third place ($100): Zavier Ndum Ndum, “Leveraging a Large Language Model (LLM)-Based Agent Framework for Enhanced Knowledge Retrieval in Radiation.” Zavier also wants to explore future AI tools in the health physics profession. For the undergraduate category, first place ($250): Jimmy Huynh, “The Comparison of Radiation Use in Common Procedures Amongst Didactic Pediatric Fluoroscopic Units”; second place ($150): Giraud Griffin, “Comparative Study of Scintillator Materials for Optimizing Energy Resolution in Electromagnetic Calorimeters Using the Geant4 Monte Carlo Toolkit.”

Linda Morris and Latha Vasudevan served as science fair judges for the 2025 Texas Science and Engineering Fair and, on behalf of the chapter, awarded a plaque for high school student Yosef Herrara for his radiation-related project. Yosef presented his project “The Power of a Star in a Jar: Using Nuclear Fusion for Radioisotope Production” at the STC meeting. Aylin Ozus, Bellaire High School, Texas, also presented her project “Fetal Radiation Exposure Monitoring of Pregnant Employees Across Multiple Departments and Areas in a Hospital” at the meeting. It was quite impressive to note the detailed study performed by the high school students. The chapter presented Amazon gift cards to the high school students as a token of appreciation.

The chapter appreciates all the speakers for their outstanding contribution and all the EC team members for their unwavering support for making this meeting tremendously successful.

Hollie Zimmerman, Chapter Secretary

The Western New York Chapter of the Health Physics Society was excited to host its spring 2025 meeting on 30 April 2025! We kicked off the day with a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the Cardinal Health Radiopharmacy in Rochester, New York. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the facility, meet with an experienced pharmacist, gain valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of a working radiopharmacy, and learn about their internal and external radiation protection programs.

From there, we headed over to the office of Upstate Medical Physics P.C. for lunch and a pair of outstanding virtual presentations, attended both in person and online by our members.

Dr. Ian Waugh from the University of Utah presented an engaging talk titled “Radiotheranostics Update.” His presentation provided a timely overview of the field, tracking its evolution, current landscape, and future direction—particularly relevant as many institutions in our region are actively building or expanding radiotheranostics programs.

Next, Dr. Ronald Goans of MJW Corporation delivered the insightful presentation “Fetal Thyroid Dose from Maternal Administration of Radioiodine: The REAC/TS Experience.” Drawing from a wealth of data and collaborative insights, his talk offered a deep dive into this critical topic and was very well received by our audience.

We extend our sincere thanks to Cardinal Health for welcoming us into their facility and to Upstate Medical Physics P.C. for hosting the second half of our event. Most importantly, we are grateful to our guest speakers for their engaging, informative presentations.

This hybrid meeting format—offering both in-person and virtual attendance—continues to be a success, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we grow and connect our chapter in the year ahead.

Steven Rademacher, Section Awards Chairman

The president of the Military Health Physics Section, H. Timothy Mikulski, is proud to announce the section’s 2025 awards:

• The John C. Taschner Leadership Award: CAPT Greg Fairchild, MSC, USN
• The Superior Civilian Service Award: Dr. David Schauer
• The Young Military Health Physicist of the Year: LCDR David Boozer, MSC, USN

The awards will be formally presented at the Military Health Physics Section business meeting at the 2025 Health Physics Society Annual Meeting in Madison this year.

Congratulations to the awardees; their award citations and pictures will be in the December 2025 Health Physics Journal.

Andy Karam, HPS Marketing Committee

Tucked away on the Health Physics Society (HPS) website in the Member’s Section are the HPS committees, where valuable, information-packed links are found. Therefore, I wanted to launch the Committee Profile feature by telling you about the Standards Committee (chaired by Antonio Triventi), how the standards work, and what they have to offer. With 40 standards available for download by members, there’s bound to be at least one thing you’ll want to take a gander at.

What the Standards Committee does is to help develop accredited standards that affect various aspects of our profession. If you’re trying to set up a tritium bioassay program or a company rad worker training program, to develop radiation safety policies and procedures for x-ray diffraction or fluorescence analysis equipment, to start up a cargo security screening system, or to work in any of a number of other areas – there’s a standard you can download to help you with your task. With two major subcommittees – N43 (Equipment for Non-Medical Radiation Applications, chaired by Craig Jones) and N13 (Radiation Protection, chaired by Matthew Barnett) the Standards Committee works directly with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop the standards that you and I can download for free.

How the standards process works begins with selecting a topic – something for which no standard yet exists, or an existing standard that’s become stale, perhaps due to changing technology or updated practices. Then the appropriate work group chair needs to form a working group, likely beginning with cajoling a poor, overworked, highly qualified health physicist (HP) to chair the working group and then pleading with other HPs to fill out the working group. These people might all be HPS members, but they might also come from any of a number of government agencies or industry or even be individual HPs with an interest in (and, hopefully, knowledge of) the topic in question. And then they start to work!

Some of the most important work comes at the start, when the members of the working group scope out their work. If they’re revising an existing standard (for example), then they’re trying to decide what needs to be changed – are they doing minor updates and revisions or a major overhaul. In either case, exactly what needs to be changed and why? What will the new standard look like? Do they need new graphics as well? What’s the best way to present the information? Who’s the intended reader and what level of writing and technical information is appropriate for them? And so forth. For a new standard, they’re building it from scratch, addressing those questions and more. And then the researching and writing begins.

The hardest part, however, comes at the end – that’s when the members of the working group have to put all the pieces together and then reach consensus amongst themselves on their work. And after that, it’s sent out for review/approval by the respective standards committee, where comments are provided and addressed. Sometimes the comment resolution phase can take many months, and it is possible not every comment will be accepted. It’s a lot of work, but when it all comes together it’s a nice feeling – almost as nice as seeing the final document online and ready for download. And – in case you’re wondering – yes, I’ve been through the process a few times, albeit not as a member of the HPS Standards Committee, and I’ve got a lot of respect for those who keep signing up for more. Especially since this work tends to be done after dinner and on weekends – and for no pay.

Anyhow – there’s a lot more I could say, but I’m already past the word count, so I should wrap up here. If you’ve read this far and you’re already using these standards – good for you! And, if your schedule permits, contact Antonio, Craig, or Matthew to ask them if you can help out! If, on the other hand, you’re not all that familiar with what they’ve done, click here and take a look – see what’s there that looks useful, or just plain interesting.

Kendall Williams, WiRP President

The Women in Radiation Protection (WiRP) Section is excited to announce that nominations are now open for two leadership roles within our Section. This is a meaningful opportunity for committed members to contribute to WiRP’s growth and future direction.

Open Positions

President-Elect

• • • Serves a one-year term before transitioning into a two-year term as president
    • Ensures leadership continuity and strategic planning

Director

• • • Serves a three-year term
    • Supports board initiatives and plays a key role in WiRP Section governance

How to Nominate

We encourage all prospective nominees to review the responsibilities outlined in our bylaws prior to submitting a nomination.

If you or someone you know is interested in serving, please submit nominations by 21 May 2025 to both:

• Kendall Williams, WiRP President
• Caleigh Samuels, WiRP Secretary

Please include a brief bio for yourself or the person you are nominating in the email. Thank you for considering this opportunity to help shape the future of WiRP. We look forward to your nominations!

Thomas Johnson, Faculty Advisor

The joint Central Rocky Mountain Chapter and Colorado State University Student Branch Annual Technical Meeting was held on 17 April 2025.

There were 12 presentations by graduate students and 4 by undergraduates. Student presentations were evaluated by members of the chapter, and awards given in the categories of best undergraduate or master’s presentation, best PhD presentation, and best overall. All were in agreement that evaluation of the presentations was difficult, due to both excellent presentation skills and outstanding content of all the presentations. Health Physics Society President-elect Mike Lewandowski presented to finish a great meeting.