Building Bridges for Professional Development
The Master of Advanced Studies in Medical Physics Alumni Association (MMPAA) was honored to participate in the 5th European Congress of Medical Physics, held in Munich, Germany, from September 11 to 14, 2024. This prestigious event brought together professionals from across the medical physics community, highlighting key advancements and collaborative efforts in the field. During the congress, PhD. Lucy Mariel Anara Peña , a key figure in the MMPAA, delivered a compelling presentation that focused on the association’s role in fostering professional development and international collaboration among alumni of the Medical Physics Program (MMP) at the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy.
“Building Bridges for Professional Development through the Master of Advanced Studies in Medical Physics Alumni Association,” The title of PhD. Peña’s presentation, encapsulated the core mission of the MMPAA. She emphasized how the association plays a critical role in connecting graduates of the Medical Physics Program with their peers, enhancing both personal and professional development. The MMPAA was created with the vision of fostering a global network of medical physics professionals, particularly focusing on alumni from developing countries, where the expertise gained through the MMP can be transformative.
PhD. Peña presented results from a pre-association survey conducted among alumni, which revealed significant interest in the creation of the MMPAA. An overwhelming 100% of the 130 respondents expressed a desire to join the association, with the majority of members working as medical physicists in radiotherapy (69%), diagnostics (17%), and nuclear medicine (15%). The survey results highlighted the importance of networking and collaboration in the medical physics community, particularly for those working in developing countries where resources may be limited.
In its inaugural year, the MMPAA achieved several milestones, including the formation of a founding board and the organization of four educational webinars. These webinars covered topics from ranging the impact of the MMP program on professional careers to ongoing research initiatives in medical physics. Furthermore, the association launched communication channels such as social media platforms and a dedicated webpage, promoting inclusivity and providing a hub for alumni to engage and collaborate. Looking forward, the MMPAA plans to hold board elections, continue hosting webinars, and launch a comprehensive member database survey to further enhance networking and professional development opportunities for its members.
The Impact of MMPAA
MMPAA’s efforts to connect graduates and promote professional development are vital for medical physicists from developing countries, where the need for expertise and collaboration is especially pressing. The association’s success lies in its commitment to supporting its members through education, collaboration, and networking, ensuring that they can continue to grow and contribute to the medical physics field.
Acknowledgments The MMPAA extends its heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Renato Padovani, whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in the success of both the MMP and the MMPAA. Without his dedication, neither the program nor the association would exist in their current form.
Finally, special thanks are given to PhD. Lucy Mariel Anara Peña for her excellent presentation, as well as to all the MMPAA members and supporters who attended the congress.
About MMPAA
The Medical Physics Alumni Association is a community of professionals who have graduated from ICTP – University of Trieste master medical physics program. Members of the association are committed to staying connected with their peers and advancing the field of medical physics through research, education, and collaboration.