TPM-C - Special Session: Challenges, Barriers, and Successes in an HP Career - From STEM to Retirement Centennial Ballroom 300C 13:30 - 17:30
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| Chair(s): Wendy Kuhne, Rachel Nichols
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TPM-C.1
13:30 Challenges, Barriers, and Successes in a HP Career - From STEM to Retirement WW Kuhne*, Savannah River National Laboratory
Abstract: A recent review conducted by ORISE of Health Physics degrees awarded over the last 50 years has shown an alarming downward trend. Concern has been raised that students interested in nuclear-related fields will continue a downward projection as energy demands and interest in natural gas and other renewable energy sources rise leaving a lack of trained personnel to enter the workforce. Historically women and minorities make up a small percentage of the degrees awarded and the focus of this special session will be to discuss some of the challenges and barriers impacting the interest of women and minorities in health physics and STEM programs in general. A panel of speakers will discuss systemic barriers facing STEM and career development, successes in STEM, and workforce development tactics. An interactive discussion will focus on career experiences from early career through retirement and the valuable contributions late career employees can have on organizations.
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TPM-C.2
13:45 Educational opportunities and challenges for women in health physics: a man’s perspective. JT Harris*, Purdue University
Abstract: Women and underrepresented groups have long been marginalized in many STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine) fields. Marginalization comes not only in having disproportionate numbers in STEMM educational programs and employment but also in fewer opportunities (i.e., promotion, leadership positions), inequity (i.e., lower wages), and a lack of belonging. Efforts to reverse this trend require culture change across every facet of life - societal norms, familial practices, education, employment, and laws and regulations. Additionally, nonmarginalized groups, typically those that control power and hold influence, must be the ones to initiate change. One impactful way that nonmarginalized groups, like white men, can be agents of change is through mentorship of marginalized individuals across all stages of their education. This presentation specifically will provide some background about achieving gender equity through salience mapping and engaged humility. The author will describe his experiences in creating a positive culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in higher education. This starts with hiring more women and individuals from diverse groups that can be positive role models for students. The process continues with developing a strong mentorship program. This program includes training for faculty and staff, aimed at increasing their understanding of the needs of women and different groups. The effort also incorporates various feedback and support mechanisms with quantifiable metrics to make sure that what we are doing is actually working. Finally, the author will present specific educational opportunities for women in health physics and nuclear security.
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TPM-C.3
14:00 Challenges Faced in Recruiting Students and Running a New Masters in HP Program EA Caffrey*, UAB
Abstract: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) started a master’s-only level health physics program in Fall 2016. The program is housed in the School of Health Professions, Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences. The program didn’t hire its first full time HP-specific faculty until 2017, and the acting program director was a nuclear medicine technologist, not a health physicist. I assisted the program across the years in a couple different roles: first as adjunct faculty, where I developed and taught all the core HP classes for the first cohort of students and later as the supervised practice coordinator, where I placed students for their practicum requirement. In April of 2021, the acting program director announced his retirement, and I was asked to take over the program.
When I took over, the program lacked direction and focus. It had severely outdated lab equipment, no cohesive recruitment strategy, no ability to fund students, and no connection to the Health Physics Society or other professional society. My first steps as program director were to obtain funding for all new lab equipment, develop new industry collaborations, write a 5-year plan and goals, and connect students with their future professional society. This talk will cover each step in starting the rebuilding process, along with lessons learned and mistakes made over my first year leading the program.
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TPM-C.5
14:15 Discussion
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TPM-C.8
14:30 Key Decisions that Defined my Career Pathway A Salame-Alfie*, HPS
Abstract: In the 1970’s, it was uncommon for a woman growing up in Mexico to enroll in an Engineering program. This was reflected in the makeup of my class of about 350 people and only 5 women! I was part of the very first class of a brand-new University that offered new and exciting programs. I won’t say it was easy but all 5 of us were among the only 50 people that completed their degree. My degree was in Energy Engineering, a new and quite timely topic (I thought) having completed it during the 70’s oil crisis. That was the first of many decisions that shaped my career path.
During this talk I will share decision points that helped shape how I got to where I am now, and the challenges and rewards from working at a nuclear power plant construction site; being a regulator; becoming a consultant; working for state government; joining and leading technical committees; joining and leading professional organizations, and now working as a senior Health Physicist for the federal government.
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TPM-C.9
14:45 Getting Involved in the Health Physics Society – What are you Waiting for?? A Simpkins*, ORAU
Abstract: The Health Physics Society (HPS) is a professional organization that has numerous opportunities for members to volunteer to serve in various capacities at the local and national level. Locally, individuals can get involved with their chapter and serve as officers and on committees. Nationally, individuals are needed to serve as Officers, Board Members, on Committees and Task Forces, and on Section Boards, to name a few. Members often don’t know where to start when they are interested in volunteering. All that is needed is a willingness to serve and a few tips on how to do so. Having been involved in HPS for more than twenty-five years and serving in numerous capacities and leadership roles, personal experiences regarding getting involved and typical progressions from local to national level positions will be discussed.
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TPM-C.10
15:00 Discussion
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TPM-C.7
15:15 Break
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TPM-C.11
15:45 Considerations in knowledge transfer from a “seasoned” health physicist KA Higley*, Oregon State University
Abstract: With a nearly fifty-year career spanning lab and field work, reactor operations, the halls of academia, and administration, one might think I could offer lots of tidbits of wisdom and advice to the next generation of radiation protection professionals. But in some ways, this talk will be more like cleaning out a storage unit in anticipation of an impending yard sale. What still works? What is sentimental? Does some obscure idea still have intrinsic value, or is it just an interesting, but outdated, antique? And, dear God, what was that thing I thought was a good idea thirty years ago? So, don’t call me old, just well-seasoned. Bring your popcorn. There will be photos, as well as serious (and non-serious) reflections about where the discipline was, and where it’s going. This trip down memory lane might be fun. And who knows, maybe a little bit of knowledge transfer will occur.
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TPM-C.12
16:00 Late Career and Retirement: Giving Back to the Society and STEM LK Morris*, TX Low Level Waste Compact Commission
Abstract: All stages of careers have their pros and cons – many of which have already been discussed in this session. This presentation will focus on late career and retirement – and the good things that can come out of this career period. President Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act over eighty years ago. This law designed age sixty-five as a retirement age – at a time when many citizens were living only into their sixties. Times have changed and it is not unusual to see people living with a high quality of life well into their nineties. You must decide about what to do with the decades of life ahead of you. Also, has COVID-19 had an impact on job quality and work? Definitely! Employers might be more likely now to consider a “phased” retirement. This works well for both the employee and the employer because it allows for the orderly transfer of knowledge (and wisdom) to the next generation of workers. What opportunities are there for the late career and retired health physicists? What might be the role that each participant in this session today can play? The role of the Women in Radiation Protection Section? The Health Physics Society as a whole? Members of the health physics community who are late career or early retired should be encouraged to remain active in their HPS chapters and the Society. Remember that these newly retired people come with valuable skills and contacts in the community. Ask them to volunteer for chapter, WiRP, or national HPS positions. How might the late career or recent retiree become involved in STEM? The author discusses opportunities for involvement in HPS chapter student support activities and other STEM organizations such as science and engineering fairs. There are also prospects for volunteering with state radiation advisory boards and commissions as well as the IAEA which need qualified radiation protection professionals.
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TPM-C.13
16:15 Discussion
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TPM-C.14
16:30 Women in Radiation Protection Section
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