Every year on November 7th, the International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP) raises awareness about the role that physics play regarding patient care. It’s also a day to acknowledge important medical physicists throughout history. 7th November was chosen as international day to celebrate medical physics because on this same day in 1867, Marie Sklodowska-Curie, known for her pioneering research on radioactivity, was born in Poland. The importance of this day marks a start with the birth of Marie Sklodowska-Curie, who was sought to be known for her pioneering research on radioactivity and she was best known for her investigations on X-Rays in Uranium topping up with her discoveries of Polonium and Radium. Exploring further, she spread her wings of knowledge bringing up new discoveries combining the principles of Physics with the field of Medicine which was used to diagnose diseases and further treat them. Her pioneering research activities have thus been named Medical Physics. She is known for her pioneering research on radioactivity which still contributes to the fight against cancer today.
Since 2013, date of the first IDMP edition, every year, a specific topic is selected to highlight and celebrate different aspects of Medical Physics. Likewise 2021 Theme was “Communicating the Role of Medical Physicists to the Public”
International Day of Radiology (IDoR) marks the anniversary of the discovery of X-rays in 1895. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of radiographic imaging and therapy, which play a crucial role in the diagnosis and the treatment of patients and, most importantly, ensuring radiation is kept to the minimum required, hence improving the quality of patient care. The 8th of November will be celebrated by radiographers worldwide as World Radiography Day to commemorate Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen’s discovery. In 1901, Rontgen became the first recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics for this achievement.
The International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) have celebrated November 8 as International Day of Radiology since 2007.The ISRRT would like to encourage radiographers all over the world to celebrate this great discovery. World Radiography Day is an annual international initiative intended to raise awareness of, and to stimulate an interest in, the profession of radiography. In addition it is aimed at highlighting the importance of radiography and the indispensable function it plays in the health care environment.
The theme adopted by the ISRRT for the 2021 International Day of Radiology celebration is ‘Interventional Radiology – Active care for the patient’. This year’s theme aims at inviting “everyone to celebrate the essential role that interventional radiology plays in treating patients.”
This year 2021 became an absolute bliss for us to organize a celebration of 9th International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP-2021) and 10th International Day of Radiology (IDoR-2021) at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry in association with Association of Medical Physicists of India TN & PY CHAPTER (ANPICON TN & PY). The chairman of the association Dr. P. KALIYAPPAN has approached us with the proposal of celebration and our management approved it with warm hands and provided us with the amenities and enormous support to organize it.
As a preparation phase, under the great support and guidance of Head of the Department of Dr. C. S PRABHU, Radio Diagnosis, Office bearers for the event were appointed and entrusted with roles and responsibilities.
Organizing Chairman – Dr. C. S. Prabhu
Organizing Secretary – Dr. C. Senthamil Selvan
In order to develop the skills of students like leadership, teamwork and also to boost their confidence , the organizing chairman of the event Dr. C. S. Prabhu proposed a plan to involve the volunteers among the students and organize them into a committee in accordance with their skills. The students of B.Sc. MIT, FAHS, MGMCRI, each and every one served their propose very well which was quite useful to make all the preparations for the event in the short span of time.
On discussion, the delegates of the event were listed out and their availability is ensured by organizing Secretary Dr. C. Senthamil Selvan and invitation and program schedule prepared by the organizing Secretary after the approval of HOD, Radio Diagnosis, MGMCRI were mailed to the participating delegates for which they enthusiastically agreed.
The program schedule and group photo was attached with this e-mail.
As they say, A Dream written down with a date becomes a Goal. A Goal broken down into steps becomes a Plan. A Plan backed by action makes your dream come true. It was such a day started with positivity and lots of hope for learning and experience. All the participants made their registrations in an exemplary manner at the registration desk with the help of volunteers. All delegates were received and welcomed by hospitality committee without any hassle. A badge specially made to remark the celebration was distributed to all participants with greetings. Then as per the program schedule bibliography of W C Rontgen was projected in the seminar hall which kindled and instigated their expectations for the celebration as predicted. As we do believe in the power of prayer the event started with the prayer song by students. With a smile of warm heart, sense of humanity and pledge to make the day remarkable Dr. C. Senthamil Selvan of MGMCRI, Puducherry extended his welcome address and lit the fire for the event followed by that Dr. K. Saravanan of JIPMER, Puducherry delivered his lecture on topic “Regulatory Requirements for Diagnostic X-ray Installation”. Both the style and substance of his lecture enlightened new ideas among all the participants. After that Dr. P. Kaliyappan of MMC, Chennai who was an added gem for our event delivered his lecture on topic “The Role Medical Physicists in Medical Imaging” highlighting the theme of the year and celebration. His lecture was most stimulating and rekindled a new enthusiasm for the profession. Before the refreshment, in-order to communicate and document moments in time we gathered for a group photo session which went as per the plan with everyone’s co-operation and then participants parted for the refreshment.
Next came in row was very insightful lecture Mr. S. Tamijeselvan of MTIHS, Puducherry on topic “Role of Radiographer in Pandemic Imaging”. In which he clearly and factually stated the odds faced during the pandemic and ways overcome it effectively to serve the people in need. Adding so much to our eagerness and quest for learning finally Mr. R. Shanmugam of JIPMER, Puducherry delivered his lecture on the topic “Role of Technologist in Interventional Radiology” His original approach, in depth knowledge and stimulating way of presentation brought right course of thoughts about the field. These four lectures by the delegates really made the day worthwhile for all the participants. In the moment of appreciation we first honored with ecstasy the delegates who participated in the event from other institutions and then the professionals who had done an extra-ordinary role during the pandemic was honored with gratefulness. Followed by that from each medical institution of Puducherry a medical physicist and a radiographer with more than 10 years of service was selected by the committee and honored them for their valuable service with the sense of pride. In absence of medical physicist at any of the institution, two radiographers were awarded from the same institution. All the honors were done by Dr. P. Kaliyappan of MMC, Chennai ( Chairman, Association of Medical Physicists of India, TN and PY ) and Dr. C. Senthamil Selvan, MGMCRI, Puducherry. Finally student volunteers who served their purpose well was awarded with certificate of participation. As they say, no more duty is utter important than delivering the virtue of gratitude, Mr. R. Shanmugam of JIPMER did that part solemnly andso the celebration concluded with content of heart and scope of bright future as the national anthem was played in the end of the event acceding our respect towards the nation.
