RADIATION THERAPY TECHNOLOGY

Graduated in 1982
Retired as President, Proton Solutions Business and Chief Growth Officer
Varian Medical Systems

Q: Why did you choose Wayne State?

A: Having been accepted into multiple programs, I felt truly blessed to have a choice between two outstanding academic institutions. In the end, it was Wayne State University that met my particular higher learning aspirations while offering the ability to continue part-time local work and social community requirements. It was the logical choice, providing a world-class education with affordable tuition, allowing me to continue my participation in women's ice hockey as well as an easy daily commute.

Q: What inspired you to pursue RTT?

A: My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer when I was quite young. Unfortunately, in the 1960s, cancer was a death sentence for so many. This had a significant impact on me, and as more members of my family were diagnosed with this deadly disease, it created a passion in me to find a way to help others. The WSU Radiation Therapy Technology program allowed me to fulfill this ambition and was the foundation for my 40-year clinical and commercial career in oncology care.

Q: Who was your most memorable instructor?

A: Bill Van de Riet, PhD. Bill was an exceptional human being and teacher. He made medical physics fascinating and relatable, which is a tall task for even the most gifted professor. Bill was able to successfully connect the fundamentals of physics to the medical field of radiation therapy. He never failed to challenge his students, yet did so with compassion and the desire to ensure they understood the why and how of complex technologies, including linear accelerators and computerized treatment planning systems, when applied with the fundamentals of radiobiology, could enable tumor remission. His teaching skills were exemplary, his ironic sense of humor helped make the classroom fun, and he always motivated students in their patient-care aspirations.

Q: What was your most challenging class?

A: Organic chemistry, taken in my general preparatory classes at WSU. I admire those in the field of chemistry and pharmacy science who study organic chemistry as a foundation for their specialty fields. The volume of data to memorize was simply astounding! As survival was my course objective, successfully passing this course only reinforced my passion for the fundamentals of physics and its application to medicine, driving students toward the path of advanced thought and not rote memorization.

Q: Tell us about your time on campus.

A: My Wayne State experience was that of diversity, beginning with the opportunity to traverse the broad array of geographical experiences from main campus to our Allied Health campus to the hospital rotations at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Osteopathic Hospital, William Beaumont Hospital and what is now the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Navigating general undergrad classes comprised of hundreds of students to the highly specialized radiation therapy program with eight students in my class. Benefitting from the diverse professionals and students that I had the privilege to learn from and with whom I have developed lifelong relationships. This early exposure to a broad range of diverse experiences and people has driven my sense of curiosity and enthusiasm to embrace the unknown and willingness to take an informed risk, which enabled my long-term growth in my chosen profession.

Q: In your opinion, what is one of the biggest changes that has occurred in your profession since graduating?

A: The sophistication of radiation therapy has accelerated over the past four decades since I graduated from Wayne State. The application of advanced imaging technologies such as PET and MRI, alongside new treatment technologies that deliver prescribed radiation with exquisite precision, and machine learning and AI for software applications have resulted in exceptional improvements for some of the most common forms of cancer, including breast and prostate cancer. It is highly gratifying to see five-year survival rates increasing around the globe from the advancements made in the fight against cancer.

Q: Tell us more about your career.

A: My career in the field of radiation therapy has spanned 40 years. I will be forever humbled and grateful for the people, institutions and organizations that have provided me with the opportunity to work in this exciting field that focuses on helping people battle such a dreaded disease. More than half of my professional journey was spent in a commercial role, with 60% of that time with one of the most innovative, customer focused companies in the medical technology community. Our systems have successfully treated millions of patients worldwide and this realization, that I was able to lead a 6,000 strong global organization, generating $2.6 billion annual revenues and partner with the best global academic institutions for research, all built on the foundation of helping those most in need to survive and experience better lives, is simply a blessed career journey indeed.

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Radiation therapists have a unique opportunity to blend the knowledge and skills of mathematics, science and psychology in their daily work. Radiation therapists operate sophisticated radiation equipment to treat malignant tissue, assist in designing cancer treatment through the use of 3D computer-generated calculations, recognize when a patient is having additional medical problems that require a doctor’s attention and provide psychological support for patients who are dealing with the stress of their illness. The bachelor of science in Radiation Therapy Technology is offered through Wayne State’s Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with an application deadline of Nov. 30.

An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels – from undergraduates to veteran faculty members – translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 24,000 students.