PHYSICISTS DESCEND ON ALEXANDER CITY New GE Lightspeed CT Scanner Machine Commissioned
CLINICAL SPOTLIGHT PHYSICS
PHYSICISTS DESCEND ON ALEXANDER CITY New GE Lightspeed CT Scanner Machine Commissioned
By: Rodney Sullivan, Ph. D. | Medical Physics Resident
On January 18th, a group of young, eager medical physicists took a leisurely stroll down to Alexander City to assist with the installation of the newly acquired GE Lightspeed 16 Slice CT Scanner at the Russell Medical Cancer Center.
" With this technology, we are offering UAB level quality of care to patients while enabling them to stay close to home for their cancer treatments," said Dr. Boggs.
The trip was headed by the brilliantly talented dynamic duo of Dr. Rex Cardan and Dr. Elizabeth Covington while tagging along in their shadows were the ambitious and trusty residents Dr. Jesse Snyder and Dr. Rodney Sullivan.
During their visit, the physicists performed checks and calibrations on the Hounsfield units which will be used in dose calculations in the treatment planning system.
In addition to Hounsfield unit calibrations, a shielding survey was performed to ensure that the room where the CT scanner resides was properly shielding the radiation in nearby corridors, bathrooms, and offices.
While in Alexander City, the group explored the area on a brief tour as they traveled to a local Chinese restaurant to have lunch and collect their thoughts. All throughout traveling and recording and analyzing data, the physics group engaged in humorous but meaningful conversations that strengthened the group’ s comradery, understanding of medical physics, and knowledge about the facts of life.
After completing a successful day of medical physics routines, the young, energetic group headed back to Birmingham to report to Dr. Popple, an omniscient juggernaut behind UAB’ s vibrant medical physics empire.
“ The new simulation CT with 4D capability was essential for our continued development of a robust breast and lung cancer program here at Russell Medical Center," said Dr. Hunter Boggs, Assistant
Professor.
" This technology ensures high quality assessment of tumor motion and allows us to reduce dose to the heart and lungs in many patients with breast and lung cancers. It is also useful for treating patients with cancers of the upper gastrointestinal system such as the esophagus, pancreas, liver, and stomach."
TOP LEFT: Physics Residents, Dr. Rodney Sullivan & Dr. Jesse Snyder. TOP RIGHT: Angie Larae( Therapist), middle Christy Smith( Nurse), & Dr. Hunter Boggs. BELOW: Physics Residency Program mentors, Dr. Elizabeth Covington, & Dr. Rex Cardan.
13 | RAYS OF HOPE