Group offers free, online mini-science fair today to introduce youth to medical physics
The local chapter of the American Association of Medical Physicists is hosting a free, online "mini-science fair" educational event on May 13 focused on medical physics for middle-school learners and older.
During the event, from 6 to 7 p.m. Central Time, attendees will hear about the day in the life of a medical physicist and the exciting new tools developing to treat cancer, see a physics demonstration and get an opportunity to ask physicists questions.
Those attending who want to participate in a live home medical physics demonstration are asked to have a bag of M&Ms, a pencil and some paper on hand at home.
Samuel Hendley, PhD, member of the Missouri River Valley chapter and medical physics resident in the UNMC Department of Radiation Oncology, said medical physicists have a wide range of duties.
"We carefully inspect patient charts before, during and after treatment, to ensure a high quality of patient care at every step along the way," Dr. Hendley said. "We routinely perform measurements on our systems to make sure that our clinical equipment is in compliance with institutional, state, and federal policies. We also can help create the treatment plans and often teach and mentor other clinical residents, and many participate in research to further develop the field."
To attend the May 13 event, go online.
Food trucks on campus
Food trucks will be on campus the week of May 16-20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in two spots on campus.
East end of campus north of the UNMC ice rink:
- Monday – Kebobs Gyros and Brats
- Tuesday – Street Eats
- Wednesday – La Casa Pizza
- Thursday – Zemogs
Durham Research Center towers:
- Wednesday – Kebobs Gyros and Brats
- Friday – TBD
CT contrast media supply is stable
Many hospitals in the United States are experiencing a shortage in X-ray based contrast media, an iodine solution injected into patients before CT scans. The shortage is related to strict COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai, China, where GE Healthcare manufactures the ingredient. Read more about it in this article from Becker’s Hospital Review.
Nebraska Medicine uses contrast media from Bracco Diagnostics Inc. The COVID-19 restrictions in China are not impacting Bracco products in the North American market. Bracco has taken several measures to protect its inventory and to ensure there is enough product for its customers including Nebraska Medicine. Nebraska Medicine does not, at this time, anticipate any issues in the foreseeable future but will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as necessary.
Retirements announced
Lori Fuller of Printing Services will retire on July 8 of this year. Fuller, who joined UNMC in 1990, is the longest-tenured employee on the list of retirements released this month by the department of human resources.
Other retirees include:
- James McClay, MD, UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine, retired May 3 (start date April 1, 2001)
- Kim Bainbridge, Munroe-Meyer Institute, retired April 29 (start date June 18, 2012)
- Gail Brondum, Center for Health Policy, retired April 30 (start date Nov. 20, 2017)