Residency Program Overview
Program Objectives
The CAMPEP-accredited Willis-Knighton Radiation Oncology Physics Residency Training Program provides training in clinical radiation oncology physics in preparation for American Board of Radiology (ABR) certification and independent practice of clinical medical physics in radiation oncology. The Program covers most topics found in AAPM Report 90, “Essentials and Guidelines for Hospital-Based Medical Physics Residency Training Programs” through a combination of supervised training and independent work. After successful completion of the program, the resident will have covered the essential curricula for the board certification examination for radiation oncology physics.
Residents are assigned to regular full-time clinical duties and are actively involved in patient care. Training specific to daily activities is divided into categories of dosimetry, brachytherapy, machine quality assurance (QA) and calibration, treatment planning and dose calculations, radiation safety, imaging, and special procedures (stereotactic radiosurgery, total skin electron treatment, etc.). Training also includes non-daily activities such as acceptance testing, commissioning, QA of various major clinic systems (LINAC, brachytherapy, treatment planning systems, etc.), and radiation safety/regulatory issues.
Program Consortium / Affiliate Model
Willis-Knighton is a one of the members of the program consortium started by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBPCC) in Baton Rouge, LA. MBPCC reached agreements with regional cancer centers to serve as partner programs in the residency program. These affiliate sites were chosen based on their interest in the program, along with sufficient clinical staff and resources to effectively train residents. Partner locations include Willis-Knighton Cancer Center (Shreveport, LA) and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS). These institutions represent a network of non-profit, academic, community, and private entities. Each site has a local residency Program Director who is also a member of the Residency Program Committee. This type of collaborative endeavor enables us to train additional residents and provide access to more special procedures than are available at any one site.
Medical physicists and administration at all locations have shown a great deal of support in developing these partnerships. As one of the partner sites, we at Willis-Knighton began resident training in July 2011, and currently have two residents in the program. Details of the Programs at the Consortium Affiliate Sites may be found at:
Organizational Structure
The Program is located within the Department Radiation Oncology at Willis-Knighton Cancer Center. The Program Director is Joseph P. Dugas, Ph.D. All components of the Program are administered by board certified or board eligible staff (medical physicists and medical dosimetrists) who report to the Chief Physicist at WKCC.