Latin American Subcommittee

International Affairs Committee

(Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Room 207/ Upper Level)

Austin, Texas

August 8, 1998

The meeting started at 8:00 PM.

1. Attendance

Gary Fullerton

J. Francisco Aguirre

J. A. BenComo

Julie Dawson

Rene J. Smith

Pedro Montes

Doracy Fontenla

 

2. Minutes were read and approved as written. (Fullerton called for approval of the minutes as written Dowson seconds, all in favor, approved).
3. J. Francisco Aguirre report:

• Informed of an invitation to the LA subcommittee to attend the 1^st Iberolatinoamerican Congress of Medical Physics in Mexico City, Mexico.

• Proposed a clarification of the LA committee mission statement.

• Committee interest vs. personal interest in Latinoamerica.

• Fullerton explained that the mission of the AAPM is to promote the development Medical Physics. The LA subcommittee helps the AAPM to achieve the goals of the AAPM society in Latinoamerica.
• The LA subcommittee originated from the International affairs Committee. So it has to report to it.
• Issues discussed and approved by the LA subcommittee such as teaching a short course in Medical Physics in Latinoamerica has to be approved by the International committee.
• There was a proposition by Fullerton and second by Aguirre to look for external sources of funds from companies to support a course in Latinoamerica. Fullerton proposed to bring a resolution to the international affairs committee regarding this issue.

Task Group TG#1:

• Fontenla discussed the International AAPM scientist program and the Course that she is helping organize in Brazil in 1999. She informed the subcommittee that RAMS is financing some of its member to go and teach in the course. Fullerton proposed that the LA subcommittee should review and approve the faculty and curriculum for the course in Brazil, and then present a resolution to the international affairs committee. The course will emphasize hands-on learning. It will be 60% practical and 40% theoretical.
• After passing the Brazil course around to the members, Fullerton call for approval of the program for Latinoamerica it was second by Smith. (6 in favor – 0 against) it was approved. The LA subcommittee should be recognized as sponsor of the program.
• Fontenla informed that RAMS is providing $5,000 for travel of 4 to 5 Physicists to teach in the courses.
• Fontenla proposed to request $5,000 from AAPM it was seconded by Fullerton.
• Aguirre proposed a course to take place during the AAPM summer school 2000 for Latin-American Physicists. He has contacted several organizations: PAHO, IAEA, IOMP, and AAPM asking for support. He will write letters to those organizations.
• Aguirre will inform Perry Sprawl of this proposal during the meeting of the International affairs committee.

Task Group #2

• After reviewing the subcommittee guidelines as written by Dowson, Fullerton proposed to approve then as written. Seconded by Smith they were approved.
• Partners in Physics Program
• This program represents an individualized effort to support physicist in other regions of the world. Fontenla has been requesting supporting from this AAPM program to help physicist in Latinoamerica during the last 6 years. She did not get any support.
• To be supported you have to be at least an associate member with a Ph.D. degree.
• Fullerton proposed that the LA subcommittee sponsor Physicists (3 test cases) to the AAPM Partner in Physics Program.
• Dawson proposed that the LA subcommittee should use the teaching tools developed by the remote distance continue education Program on the Ethernet to help Physicist in Latinoamerica.
• The suggestion is to obtain a password from the Program to have access by the partners in physics program. This was second by Fullerton and approved.

Task Group #3

• Web page Smith discussed the possible content of the subcommittee web page. We need a person who will design it and talk to the AAPM to incorporate the WebPages in the AAPM web site. It was decided that:
• The WebPages should be written in English.
• The WebPages should be under the AAPM Website
• There will be a charge per page for the LA subcommittee WebPages of $50 per page
• The WebPages will be developed by Bencomo and Holgin of the UT-MDACC and send via e-mail to Smith, editor of the Website.
• The WebPages should be in place by the RSNA meeting of the LA subcommittee.
• The content is as Follows:
• Membership
• Meetings
• Reports
• Books
• Task Groups
• Courses
• Guidelines
• Committee members
• Addressees

Task Group #4

• The workshop in Mexico has been cancelled.

• Old Business
• Meeting year 2000 Activities pre-meeting
• Speakers-topics
• 3 days before
• Workshop type.
• Contact mid-west chapters
• Evaluate M.S. program Curriculum
• The LA subcommittee within the AAPM is responsible for the organization of the program.
• The organizers should include ALFIN, and the Spanish Society of Medical Physicists.
• The subcommittee selected Dr. Fontenla as the director of the Program and Dr. Dawson as Co-director.
• Fullerton move to propose to AAPM to cosponsor a continue education program to Latin-American Physicist in conjunction with ALFIN, IAEA, and PAHO.
• Aguirre to draft letter to Dr. Bill Handee requesting official sponsorship of the program,
• New Business
• Member of LA subcommittee. Make list of Members and add the following:
• Cary Borras from PAHO Consultant
• Pedro Andreo, IAEA, Consultant
• ALFIN consultant

Meeting adjourned at 10 PM