PRIMPS 14 Recap

Scott Crowe
Presentations
Discussions
Food and drink

The 14th Progress and Research in Medical Physics (PRIMPS) meeting was held on the 21st of November at the Coorparoo Bowls Club. The event had a new format this time – we started with a number of proffered presentations:

  • Bess Sutherland (Genesis CancerCare) spoke about the installation of a new Varian TrueBeam accelerator at the John Flynn hospital centre in Tugun;
  • Sarah Aliuddin (Biomedical Technology Services) presented the results of an investigation into shielding for portable imaging in intensive care unit environments;
  • Katrina Biggerstaff (Princess Alexandra Hospital) was investigating the linac fault documentation systems in place at different centres;
  • and Simon Critchley (Radiation Health) talked about the evolution of safety regulations.

Chairs and tables were rearranged and we had a round table discussion, which touched on:

  • the recent ACPSEM summer school program and what the invited experts had to say;
  • the significance of cone-beam CT dose to patients undergoing radiation therapy treatments;
  • the knowledge and skills that diagnostic imaging medical physicists could provide to radiation oncology departments (especially where MRI scanners are being adopted);
  • the incorporation of “future proofing” into radiation bunker design (and the cost-benefit considerations);
  • and the use of conservative estimates and factors in the calculation of shielding requirements.

Then there was pizza and beer.

PRIMPS 14 – November 21st

Paul Charles

I’m pleased to announce that PRIMPS 14 is just around the corner. It will be at the Coorparoo Bowls Club on Friday the 21st of November. Please see the PRIMPS 14 flyer – and distribute to any non-members that may be interested in attending.

This time we will be deviating slightly in format. Any proffered presentations will be followed by a “round table” discussion on a topic of interest. There will be food, drink and hearty discussion (all free) during this session. The idea is to make things a bit more relaxed and less formal. The topic of interest at PRIMPS 14 will be Radiation Safety – a prevalent area in most disciplines.

Afterwards, interested attendees are welcome to stay at the bowls club until physically ejected.

I encourage everyone to come and try this new format if you can possibly make it. If you are interested in presenting (remember that anything goes), or simply attending – please remember to RSVP.

Regards,

Paul Charles

Chairman, ACPSEM QLD Branch.

2015 Committee Nominations and AGM

Bess Sutherland

The election of the 2015 ACPSEM QLD Branch Committee will take place at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. You are invited to express your interest for one or more of the committee positions.

The current nominations can be found here: Committee Nominations 2015

Note: The 2015 branch committee will be capped at 10 people. If more than 10 nominations are received, a formal vote will be required at the upcoming AGM. Please do not let this discourage you from nominating.

Nominations close: 24th November.

AGM Details:

Location: The Kookaburra Cafe, 280 Given Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
Date: 5th December
Time: 5.30 – 8.30pm
RSVP: 17th November  

To RSVP to the AGM or nominate for the committee, please email bess.sutherland@premion.com.au

ACPSEM Queensland Branch Symposium

Scott Crowe

The ACPSEM Queensland branch symposium and winter school were held on the 1st August 2014 at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The winter school on scientific publication for clinical medical physicists started with presentations by Dr. Jamie Trapp, Dr. Robin Hill and Dr. Don McLean on journal requirements and research planning, and was followed by a hands-on workshop on the process of drafting a scientific paper.

The symposium had 3 invited speakers: Dr. Robin Hill and Dr. Don McLean speaking about kV dosimetry from radiation oncology and diagnostic imaging perspectives, and Dr. Kieran O’Brian talking about the 7T MRI at the Centre for Advanced Imaging Building at the University of Queensland.

Prof. Tanya Kairn was awarded the Bob Fitchew Award, in recognition of her contributions to her workplace, the ACPSEM and the broader medical physics community. Luke Webb and Deborah Tout were awarded the Symposium presentation prizes.

School Faculty: Tanya Kairn, Jamie Trapp, Robin Hill and Don McLean
Winter School Workshop
Winter School Workshop
Food and Drinks
Food and Drinks
Paul Charles giving the President’s Welcome.
The symposium audience.