Anil Sharma, Ph.D., director, Medical Physics, Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Radiation Oncology Center, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute, Long Beach Memorial, was named a Fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). Election to fellowship is AAPM’s highest honor and was established to recognize members who have made significant contributions to the field of medical physics.
The award requires that the recipient has demonstrated excellence in leadership to the profession, service to the Association, research and scholarly works or teaching and mentoring. Less than one percent of AAPM members are fellows.
“I’m honored to be recognized by my peers for my ability and qualifications to serve as a medical physicist and advance my field over the last several decades,” says Dr. Sharma.
Board-certified in both medical physics and radiology, Dr. Sharma serves a vital role in planning and administering radiation therapies for patients being treated for cancer at the Radiation Oncology Center at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial.
A radiation oncology physicist brings a unique perspective to the clinical team in a radiation oncology program. Their background includes training in physics, including radiological physics, and in clinical, basic medical and radiobiological sciences. Radiation oncology physicists perform an important role working along with the radiation oncologist, the radiotherapy technologist and others, to assure the accurate delivery of all aspects of a treatment prescription, while preserving the vital surroundings.
“We strive to provide customized, personalized treatment to every patient that comes through our doors and Dr. Sharma helps make that goal a clinical reality,” says Cathy Kopy, executive director, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute, Long Beach Memorial. “We’re so proud of his accomplishment and grateful for his contributions to our patients and families.”
Dr. Sharma has worked for the MemorialCare HealthCare System for 22 years, serving as director of medical physics at Long Beach Memorial and chief physicist at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, as well as the Radiation Safety Officer for Long Beach Memorial developing and administering radiation safety initiatives for staff and patients. He is the first clinician in the MemorialCare Health System to be named an AAPM fellow.
Throughout his career, Dr. Sharma has made an impact on young medical physicists both in the U.S. and internationally through numerous publications and presentations, focusing extensively on the practice of brachytherapy – a form of advanced internal radiation. He also serves as a clinical professor of radiation oncology physics at the University of California, Irvine.
In addition to his teaching experience, Dr. Sharma has a long history of involvement with AAPM. His past roles include President and Treasurer of the Southern California Chapter.