One day . . . two degrees

November 1 is a date Brandon Disher, PhD CAMPEP, won't soon forget.

It was the day he received his PhD degree in Medical Biophysics, and also became the first graduate of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry's newly-accredited CAMPEP Program in Medical Biophysics, receiving two degrees in one day.

CAMPEP, the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs, is a non-profit organization that reviews and accredits educational programs in medical physics. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry's Medical Biophysics program is only one of nine accredited programs in Canada, and one of 45 across North America.

The program, officially launched at the School in 2012, focuses on research and course work, preparing students for a career as a clinical physicist. Jerry Battista, PhD, chair, Department of Medical Biophysics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry noted that the program gives students a competitive advantage in the field of medical physics, "The CAMPEP PhD degree puts our students well on their way to a clinically-oriented career, while retaining the research mentality for ongoing development of better techniques for diagnosis and therapy."

The fact that the School was planning to offer the CAMPEP designation was a factor in Disher's school selection, as he knew it would prepare him for his ideal career as a medical physicist.

"The CAMPEP program allowed me to expand on my knowledge of radiation oncology physics, and provided a clinical context necessary for completion of my PhD research projects."

Disher added, "The calibre of supervision, from Drs. Jerry Battista, Stewart Gaede and George Hajdok, and access to funding and resources such as radiation therapy and medical imaging technologies at the London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) and Robarts Research Institute were unparalleled across Canada. I was confident that beginning graduate school at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry would launch my career as a medical physicist."

For Disher, being the first CAMPEP graduate felt great, and the added advantage of his CAMPEP designation helped him land his first choice residency placement, which started the day following graduation.

"As the first student to undertake the CAMPEP certification, I was uncertain as to the potential benefits of the program. However, the additional training has no doubt helped me to prepare for, and acquire a medical physics residency at LRCP, my first choice."

Battista, Disher's supervisor in his residency role, is pleased with Disher's transition to the residency program.

In 2016, a CAMPEP certification will be required for anyone looking to pursue a career as a clinical medical physicist in Canada. Having already received his designation and a residency in the field, Disher is well on his way to achieving his future career goal of becoming a clinical medical physicist, solving challenging clinical problems through collaborative research.