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IN THIS ISSUE:
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGELee BoothIn May of 1999, the CHP Corner presented a membership survey, which was completed by approximately 300 CHPs. Results were subsequently summarized, discussed in CHP News articles and presented to the Academy Executive Committee for possible action. Last year I re-reviewed the survey results and prepared a brief report for the Executive Committee outlining five potential action items from the survey. This is intended to update the membership on certain actions taken, or to be taken, in response to the survey findings. Items are listed in order of relative importance, as indicated by the survey response.
As a general observation, the respondents (and I assume all CHPs) strongly support the ABHP certification and re-certification programs and agree with the Standards of Professional Responsibility for CHPs. We must be doing some things, maybe the most important things, right! In April of this year the Academy appointed Kyle Kleinhans to replace Gary Kephart as Associate Editor for the CHP News. With this appointment, we have ended four years of service by Gary as Editor. Few of us truly appreciate the effort it takes to prepare material for the CHP Corner each month (and for the CHP News). I know that Gary has filled the pages himself when the rest of us failed to give him needed input for the Corner. So....thanks, Gary, for your dedication and contributions to this important Academy function. Lee Booth, CHP
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF HEALTH PHYSICS
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| Joseph Alvarez, Director
Lee Booth, President-elect Elizabeth Brackett, Secretary Tom Buhl, Treasurer Herman Cember, Past President Dale Denham, Director Tom Essig, Treasurer-elect Regis Greenwood, Acting Parliamentarian |
Nancy Johnson, Program Director
Edward Maher, HPS liaison Scott Medling, Director-elect Ken Miller, ABMP liaison Bob Miltenberger, ABHP Chair Charles Roessler, President Jim Tarpinian, President-elect designate Jim Willison, Guest |
Item 11.6, Academy Liaison Responsibilities, was combined with 12.2, Revision to SOP 1.2.1, Standing Committee Appointments. Item 11.13, Update on HPS Accreditation, was added. The agenda was approved as amended.
A motion (Denham, Alvarez) to approve the agenda as amended was passed unanimously.
Two changes were made to the minutes:
A motion (Alvarez, Buhl) to approve the minutes as amended was passed unanimously.
President’s Report
Outgoing President Chuck Roessler distributed a written report.
The report summarized some of his and the Academy’s activities
for the past year. The report referred to the June 2000 report to the
Executive Council and the President’s Message in the December
2000 CHP News for more details. Recommendations for the incoming
administration were also included. He concluded by thanking Nancy
Johnson for all her work.
President-Elect’s Report
President-elect Booth had submitted a written report that was in
the members’ notebooks. Activities since the Annual meeting in
June 2000 were summarized.
Past President’s Report
Past President Herman Cember discussed the importance of
including other professions, such as Industrial Hygiene and Safety, in
our activities. He noted that we should continue to broaden our
horizons. Ed Maher asked if we had a PEP course at the AIHA meetings.
He suggested that we have an AAHP effort to establish such a course.
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Motion (Miltenberger, Buhl): Refer to the Continuing
Education Committee the task of establishing a relationship with
the Industrial Hygiene profession to offer radiation safety
courses in conjunction with the exposition and we invite members
of the AIHA to reciprocate.
Action item: Lee Booth will contact the Continuing Education Committee regarding the above motion. |
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Liz Brackett had submitted minutes from the June 24,
2000 AAHP meeting. These were included in the members’ packets.
| A motion (Denham, Alvarez) to accept the above reports was passed unanimously. |
President Roessler officially installed the new officers of the Executive Committee: Scott Medling (Director), Tom Essig (Treasurer), Lee Booth (President), Jim Tarpinian (President-elect), and Chuck Roessler (Past President). Lee Booth assumed control of the meeting.
Appeals Committee
Chair J. MacLellan was not in attendance. A written report in the
members’ materials noted that there had been no activity since
the last Executive Committee meeting.
Continuing Education Committee
Chair Les Aldrich was not in attendance but had submitted a
written report that was in the members’ materials. Two Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) were included for review.
| Revised SOP 2.2.1
Lee Booth had some questions regarding this procedure. Tom Buhl noted that travel expenses cannot be written into an SOP (p. 2.2.1-5). There were no committee members present to discuss the comments. Motion (Buhl, Miltenberger) to table discussion until we can get the Continuing Education Committee to answer questions. The motion was unanimously approved. Revised SOP 2.2.2 Review of this procedure was tabled along with the above. |
Exam Site Selection Committee
Chair Betsy Langille was not in attendance but had sent an e-mail
report that was included in the members’ packets. Nancy Johnson
will provide recommendations to the committee.
Ad Hoc Committee Member Appointment
Lee Booth appointed Charlotte Carter as an ad hoc member of this
committee.
Finance Committee
Tom Buhl reported for the Finance Committee. Several reports were
included in the members’ packets:
The budget call for the next fiscal year will be in March. Tom noted that we have met our financial goals and asked if we should put our money into more conservative funds. Lee Booth asked what, as far as making money and investments, would change our tax-exempt status. Tom Buhl said that these issues don’t affect the status.
Action item: The Finance Committee will determine how to allocate funds for future investment.
Nominating Committee's 2000 Slate of Candidates
The slate of candidates was included in the members’
materials. The ballots must go out within 60 days of this meeting.
Professional Development Committee
Outgoing Chair Matt Moeller was not in attendance but had
submitted a written report that was included in the members’
materials. Morgan Cox is no longer able to serve as chair of the
committee. He is willing to stay on the committee or leave, as needed.
Matt Moeller may be willing to stay on as chair.
Action item: Lee Booth will find a new chair for the Professional Development Committee.
Carolyn Owen delivered the report on the two Standards of Qualification/Practice (SQ/P):
| University RSO SQ/P Update
This standard was addressed in Matt Moeller’s report. Carolyn Owen suggested the addition of some topics (biosafety, laser,…) because RSOs are often responsible for all of these tasks. She said that the standard would not go back to the RSO Section because the changes are not substantial. After some discussion, it was decided that comments will be incorporated and the standard will go back to the committee for review. After signature approval from the AAHP President and the HPS RSO Section President, the standard will go to the HPS Executive Committee. Once approved it will be published in the HPS Newsletter. The standard will be sent to the AAHP Executive Committee by the end of February. Hospital RSO SQ/P Update There is no indication that this standard is being worked on at the moment. Carolyn has not been able to contact Bruce Thomadsen, the lead writer. She will try to contact him a few more times before finding a replacement. Results of August 2000 CHP Survey This survey asked for listings of positions that required or preferred CHPs or offered financial incentives. Chuck Roessler turned over the information to Matt Moeller and Jerry Thomas tabulated it. A quick summary was done for an "Ask the Expert" question about value to the nuclear power industry. Matt was under the impression that the entire report had been completed but Chuck has not received any additional information so this is still an open item. The HPS has a human resources subcommittee that is revising a survey of employer organizations. If we decide we want more information, we might want to approach them about adding questions. Jim Tarpinian is chairing that committee and said the survey has already been sent out but response has been spotty so he anticipates a second round. Action item: Jim Tarpinian to coordinate the question development with the Professional Development Committee Chair (to be named). Professional Standards & Ethics Committee Chair Otto Raabe was not in attendance; no written report was submitted but he sent an e-mail message to Nancy Johnson stating that there had been no activity so far this year. |
Liaisons
| American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP)
Ken Miller had submitted a written report that was contained in the members’ materials. The AAHP has completed three years of a five-year financial commitment to the ABMP. Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) Ruth McBurney was not in attendance but had submitted a written report. The report noted that the CRCPD is interested in cooperating with the HPS and AAHP in developing a joint meeting. Ed Maher, the Academy’s liaison to the HPS, said that the HPS was looking for meetings for the midyear and he would bring this to the attention of the Symposia Committee. The report also mentioned that the CRCPD’s next meeting was at the end of April in Anchorage, Alaska. They would like to have a joint HPS/AAHP booth at the meeting. There was a discussion as to who was responsible for making such arrangements. The Professional Development Committee is responsible for the Academy’s booth at the HPS meetings but it was mentioned that they already have a large number of responsibilities. The Academy would like to have a presence at various related professional meetings, preferably as a joint effort with the HPS. Action item: Ed Maher will communicate back to the HPS our desire to share a joint booth at one or more venues in the coming year and find out what the mechanism is for this. Health Physics Society (HPS) Ed Maher reported that nothing in the HPS Board meeting was directly applicable to the AAHP. There will be a half day ABHP session at the HPS annual meeting in June on the reengineering of the Part II exam. This session will be separate from the Academy session. National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT) Paula Trinoskey reported on a number of initiatives by the NRRPT:
Ad Hoc Committee on Relationships with Other Certifying Programs Chuck Roessler noted that this issue is more complicated than it was a few years ago. More groups are interested in certification. They’ve been collecting comments but haven’t yet drafted a paper. The issue of reciprocity with the ABMP was again discussed. Ken Miller feels that people who have passed Part II of the ABMHP have the background equivalent to the ABHP part I exam. Chuck stated that we need to look at:
Action item: Chuck Roessler will continue the work of the committee and will get something in writing to the Executive Committee prior to the annual meeting, and will have recommendations by the June meeting. Ad Hoc Committee on Joyce P. Davis Memorial Award Dale Denham reported on this activity. Committee members included Dale, Roger Brown, Tom Buhl, Ruth McBurney, Nancy Kirner, Liz Brackett. Chuck Roessler passed around a brochure about the Davis Family Grove, a memorial to Joyce. A proposed charter for a new standing committee, including eligibility and selection criteria, and a proposed citation were included in the members’ materials. Motion (Denham, Miltenberger) to accept the proposal as written, without a specific date, not necessarily to be given every year but as candidates come up. Discussion: Several changes to the document needed:
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Newsletter Editor
Steve Rima was not in attendance but his report was included in
the members’ packets. The following two items were addressed.
| New Assistant Editor Needed
Action item: Lee Booth will contact the Nominating Committee in order to find an Assistant Editor. Input for CHP Corners The possibility of assigning committees to submit a contribution for specific months was discussed. Action item: Lee Booth will discuss this with Steve Rima and informally request the committee chairs to submit articles. Action Item: Dale Denham will submit an article regarding the Joyce Davis award. |
Webmaster
Scott Medling distributed the "Webmaster’s Report to
the AAHP Executive Committee" to those in attendance. A
correction to the 2nd column heading under Webpage
Activity was noted: "6/’00-2/’01" should be
changed to "7/00-1/01."
| Membership/Consultant List Update
This issue was discussed in the above-noted report. A sample of the results of a search of this list was included in the members’ handouts. Also included was a copy of an e-mail message that Scott had sent regarding the review of this list. Bulletin Board Access Update This was included in the Webmaster’s report. |
Bob Miltenberger had submitted a written report that was in the
members’ materials. Included in the report was an item about a
change to the list of allowable calculators for use during the exam.Action
item: Bob Miltenberger will send the calculator policy changes
to Scott Medling for posting on the website.
Changes to the Policy and Procedures Manuals were summarized in the report.
Motion (Miltenberger, Buhl) for the Academy to accept the changes proposed by the Board to the Policy Manual and the Procedures Manual on pages 58 through 60.
Discussion: Need to clarify what is meant in Section III.A.1 with all of the "or"s. The reduction of approved calculators was discussed at length. There was concern that candidates who had already registered for this years test would be caught unaware and that they had applied under one set of rules but would be held to a different set.
Friendly amendment (Miltenberger, Buhl) to have the changes take
effect with the calendar year 2002 exam. The amendment passed with
nine votes for and one abstention.
The original motion as amended passed with nine votes for and one
abstention.
Motion (Essig, Buhl) to accept the reports given in Sections 7
through 10. The motion was unanimously approved.
Nancy Johnson’s written report was included in the members’ materials. The report consisted of a list of activities since the June 2000 meeting, as well as exam statistics. Updated rosters were also attached.
10 CFR 35, Specialty Boards for RSOs
Chuck Roessler recapped this continuing issue. The rule is
expected to be published in March 2001, with an October 2001 effective
date. Specific training requirements are given for RSOs. The ABHP
certification exam does not necessarily meet all of the conditions but
it was felt that an individual passing the exam would meet the intent
if not the letter of the regulation. Ed Maher had written a letter to
the NRC saying that we meet the requirements in spirit and that he had
been hoping for a change in the law but it didn’t happen.
Action item: Ed Maher will submit a letter to the NRC certifying that we meet the spirit and intent of the rule.
Modification to Bylaws: Exam Site Selection Committee
Liz Brackett and Regis Greenwood had submitted a written report
with the proposed modification to the bylaws. This proposal must go to
the Academy membership with the ballot for officers.
Motion (Buhl, Tarpinian) that the modification to the bylaws be accepted. The motion was unanimously approved.
CESB Application Update
George Vargo distributed an Accreditation Action Report and
reported that we had been recommended for accreditation. He expects
that they will act on this recommendation the Tuesday following this
meeting.
CHP Embosser
A report from Joe Alvarez was contained in the members’
materials, including a sample imprint of the embossers. The
availability of the embossers will be announced in the CHP Corner or
newsletter. A rubber stamp will also be available. Information and an
ordering system will be placed on the website. The cost of an embosser
is $95.95, with no upfront costs to the Academy.
Title Protection Act
Regis Greenwood discussed the examples of a Title Protection Act
and a Licensure Act that were included in the members’ materials.
He noted that the Licensure Act would be much more difficult to get
approved and the states would want a portion of the collected fees.
These acts would prevent someone from calling themselves a certified
health physicist if they were not certified by the ABHP. As written,
the term "health physics" in general is included. Jim
Tarpinian noted that this needs to be discussed with the HPS, in
particular the Legislation and Regulation Committee.
Action item: Ed Maher will take the Title Protection and Licensure Acts to the HPS to see what their reaction is.
Action item: Regis Greenwood will modify the Title Protection Act to apply only to Certified Health Physicists.
Academy Liaison Responsibilities
This item was combined with 12.2 and discussed under that
section.
Academy Logo
Jim Tarpinian and Dale Denham distributed several example logos
for information; none of them were particularly well liked. This topic
will be discussed again at the next meeting.
Action item for all: "doodle" (to design an Academy logo).
Revision of SOP 4.5 re: Use of CHP Designation
Chuck Roessler is working with Gary Kephart on the revision of
the SOP to address the use of the CHP seal. Gary needs to know that
the embosser is done.
Action item: Chuck Roessler will refer this back to Gary Kephart with a new deadline of June. He will also let him know that the embosser is done.
Outreach to Inactive CHPs
A sample letter and questionnaire to inactive CHPs was
distributed by Tom Buhl, Herman Cember, and Nancy Johnson in
fulfillment of an action item from the January 2000 meeting. The
intent is to contact these people to give them an opportunity to
return to active status. There were several proposed changes to the
letter:
A motion (Roessler, Denham) was made to request that the ABHP review this issue and to consider a waiver or amnesty for those inactive CHPs wishing to take advantage of this offer to apply for emeritus status. The motion was unanimously approved.
Action item: Bob Miltenberger will request that the Board review the outreach proposal to inactive CHPs and request a waiver for those seeking emeritus status.
Review of Strategic Plan
President Lee Booth had submitted a report that was included in
the members’ books. No detailed recommendations were provided;
Lee suggested that the study be continued by the President-elect.
Lessons Learned from CHP Survey
A report from President Lee Booth was included in the members’
books.
HPS Study of RSO Certification
A series of e-mail messages on this subject were included in the
members’ materials. An ad hoc committee on this subject is
meeting on Wednesday (Feb 7) at noon, with Ray Johnson chairing the
committee. Ray thinks that there are 10,000 people who fall into the
category of RSO. There was an extended discussion regarding this
issue. It was pointed out that the first step in the process is to
define the responsibilities and qualifications of RSOs and that the
AAHP has started this effort with the SQ/P. The Academy will have
representation at the meeting.
Update on HPS Accreditation
Chuck Roessler hasn’t heard from the committee in about six
months. We need to continue to express interest. The 2000-2001midyear
report of the HPS Academic Education Committee, from Chair Rich Brey,
was handed out to the members in attendance.
Action item: Chuck Roessler will contact Rich Brey regarding our continuing interest in accreditation.
AAHP Technical Session in Cleveland
Past President Chuck Roessler distributed a report on Academy Day
at ARSCE 2001. It is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 13. He
had wanted Tuesday but the HPS awards luncheon is scheduled for that
day. There have been two requests from session speakers for travel
assistance. Chuck will work out the details.
Revision to SOP 1.2.1, Standing Committee Appointments
Revision 1 of this SOP was included in the members’ packets.
The document included markups to indicate changes that had been made.
NCRP Letter of Appreciation (Information Only)
A copy of this letter was included in the members’ packets.
Review of Committee Charters
Copies of the current charters, all last updated in 1997 or 1998,
were included in the members’ packets. President Lee Booth sent
the current charters to the respective committee chairs for review and
comment. He would also like the Executive Committee to review them and
provide input. He would like responses as soon as possible so he can
get them to Nancy Johnson before June.
The Executive Committee will meet on the afternoon of Saturday, June 9 and the morning of Sunday, June 10.
Adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
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Note: The following exchange of thoughts was recently conducted via email, and was initiated by a current CHP. His thoughts regarding the new calculator policy for the ABHP Exam are the topic. The exchange includes a reply from the Chair of the ABHP, Bob Miltenberger. The letter writer asked to remain anonymous and so in accordance with his wishes, he has not been identified here. - Editor
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AAHP:
I have just read the AAHP note on calculator in the April 2001 Newsletter. I believe that the proposed list it too limited. I own several calculators (TI-36X Solar calculator, TI-68, TI-86) but normally use a TI-86 at work and for solving radiological engineering problems. Last year, I took a University of Tennessee graduate-level health physics certification review class (which used Bevelacqua’s Contemporary Health Physics as the text), and my perception was that most students in this class, and generally most graduate nuclear engineering students are using more advanced calculators than you propose.
If a person is proficient with or routinely used a graphing calculator, then my view is that requiring them to use a different and/or simpler calculator will cost them valuable time on the exam.
Thanks,
[name withheld], CHP
[name withheld],
As stated in the Newsletter article, there are several issues of concern to the Board. First is the issue of assuring that instruments used in the testing process provide each candidate with an equal advantage. The second issue is assuring that the concept being tested is something that the candidate answers from their knowledge base and is not a function of the calculator used. The third issue is assuring that, on the test day, a candidate is taking the exam with an authorized instrument.
On a personal note, I have had to tell a person that their calculator isn’t on the list and that they can’t use it on testing day. The anxiety in the candidate’s face was clear, as was their uncertainty that they could function with a calculator that was strange on such short notice.
The Board acknowledges that changing calculators at the last minute can be traumatic. Consequently, the conversion to the new, limited calculator list is scheduled for implementation at the next testing cycle (Year 2002 Test). This provides people who are considering sitting for the exam in 2002 with adequate time to familiarize themselves with a more limited calculator. As a result, we believe that no time will be lost because people will have had the time to practice for months in advance of the exam.
Bob Miltenberger
Bob,
Thanks for sharing your rationale. However, I am not convinced that the AAHP is working an issue (in good faith I’m sure) that it needs to be concerned [with]. The AAHP should just specify that the calculator weigh less than 1.00 Kg (that should eliminate hand-held Crays for several years). The typical graphing TI calculator cost[s] in the $100 - $150 range, and I can’t recall the price of HP calculators (Wal-Mart & Target carry TI calculators in TN) I recommend that candidates be allowed to use whatever hand-held calculator that they may prefer.
Based on my personal experience, I believe the calculator used by the candidate should be almost a non-factor in their success or failure if the ABHP ensures the exam questions are designed so the applicant must provide an adequate set-up of the problem, and that they must provide a reasonable explanation of the results of any calculations.
Now, if the Educational Testing Service or others have research that indicated my opinion is contrary to that information, then I withdraw my input.
Thanks,
[name withheld], CHP
REMINDERApplication materials may be obtained from the Academy web page: or from the Secretariat, 703-790-1745. |
Address contributions for CHP News and "CHP Corner" to:
Steve Rima, CHP, CSP
Phone: 970-243-2861
Fax: 970-256-7356
sdrima@mactec.com
or
Kyle Kleinhans, CHP
Phone: 865-241-8380
Fax: 865-241-8381
kkleinhans.hp85@gtalumni.org
Articles, Letters to the Editor, etc. are welcome. Contributions may be in the form of electronic files (MS Word or WordPerfect), text files, or hard copy.