Report of the PresidentPresident Herman Cember
discussed directions in which he felt the Academy should be moving. In
particular, he stressed that we must become more involved in the
political process and attempt to change some of the public's perceptions
concerning radiation and risk. He also stated his opinion that in this
era of downsizing there is pressure to consolidate certain job functions
and responsibilities and that health physicists are often involved in
areas of industrial hygiene and safety. The Academy should consider
making recommendations and providing opportunities for education of
health physicists in these closely allied areas. President Cember
informed the membership that the Executive Committee of the Academy had
not approved a recommendation to allow carry-over of continuing
education credits from one certification period to the next. He noted
that the American Society of Safety Engineers has convened a task force
to evaluate the topic of credentialing in the health and safety
professions and that the AAHP is represented on that group. He called on
Richard Vetter to discuss the matter of overlap of medical health
physics credentialing authority by the AAHP and the American Board of
Medical Physics (ABMP) and American Board of Radiology (ABR). Vetter
noted that there are negotiations underway between the ABMP and ABR to
attempt to resolve some of their disagreements. He informed members that
those who have passed Part I of the ABHP examination are now eligible to
take Parts 2 and 3 of the ABMP examination in Medical Health Physics. He
also observed that a member certified by the ABHP and working in the
medical physics area is eligible for membership in the American College
of Medical Physics (similar to our Academy).
Report of the President-ElectPresident-elect Charles
Roessler explained that he has been following the activities of the
Academic Program Directors, particularly regarding their actions in
pursuit of establishing an accreditation program for academic programs
in health physics. At present the group is considering use of the
Accreditation Board for the Engineering and Technology process. He
assured members that the Academy would be represented in the
discussions.
Report of the SecretarySecretary George Chabot
reported the results of the recent election: President-elect Lee Booth,
Secretary Liz Brackett, and Director Dale Denham.
Report of the TreasurerTreasurer Tom Buhl presented a
brief review of the budget, noting that the budget was generally in good
shape. Both short- and long-term investment goals have been met. The
short-term goal was to accrue a reserve amount equal to the annual
budget, and the long-term goal was to accrue an amount equal to about
1.5 times the annual budget. A full audit was completed for FY97-98; no
deficiencies were noted in the audit.
Report of the Chair of the ABHPChairwoman Nancy
Kirner summarized activities of the Board. She noted that the Board had
been updating its procedures manual and that the new version would be
available for submission to the Council of Engineering and Scientific
Boards (CESB) as part of the application process for accreditation by
that organization. The Board has made the "Examination Preparation
Guide" available on the Web site this year; this resulted in a cost
savings of about $7,000. The Board is reviewing the matter of degree
requirements for examination candidates and is looking for input on this
topic. Kirner reported that the 1999 examination went well; six hours
were allowed for the Part II examination this year. George Vargo
clarified that we are a member of the CESB and are applying for
accreditation; it is possible that the ABHP may have to make some
procedural changes in order to comply with requirements of the CESB.
Other Academy Business from the FloorWesley Bolch
informed the membership that DOE had cut back support for academic
programs in health physics. The Planning Committee of Academic Program
Directors was considering a grass-roots survey in an attempt to increase
support for academic programs. He stressed that the future viability of
the health physics profession depended on the success of academic
programs and requested that members provide input concerning means of
increasing support to such programs.
-- George Chabot
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