The Health Physics Academic and Education Center (HPAEC) is a separate non-profit organization created by the Health Physics Society (HPS). The purpose of the HPAEC is to raise and disburse funds to worthy students and institutions that are engaged in training students to become employed as health physicists and radiation protection specialists.
For decades, radiation has been beneficial to humans, from treating cancer to generating electrical power. But when used in large quantities or in an unsafe way, radiation can harm living organisms. Care must be taken with nuclear reactors, nuclear weapons, high-energy particle accelerators, x-ray machines, and radionuclides used in biomedical research and therapy. This special attention helps minimize the potential for unnecessary irradiation of individuals or environmental contamination.
Many industries, medical facilities, defense plants, and research laboratories demand professionals who understand radiation hazards and how to prevent and control them. Prominent among scientists is the health physicist, who controls the beneficial use of radiation while protecting workers and the public from potential hazards. The health physics profession is diverse and one of the most interesting and rewarding fields of scientific endeavor.
Students are the future of our profession, and yet, the graduation rate for health physics is the lowest in decades and continues to decline dramatically.
The Fundraising Committee fosters partnerships with stakeholders in the future of health physics. The focus is on HPS members, private foundations, corporations, and state and federal governments.
The Awards Committee reviews applications for support and determines award recipients. Care is taken to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
The Awards Rules Committee develops the criteria and standards for evaluating applications for support and the rules and procedures for dispersing student support.
The Communications Committee develops strategic information for public, academic, and government audiences. They also maintain the HPAERC social media footprint.
“When I was a graduate student in health physics, there were government scholarships available. Those made it possible to finish my degree without a large student loan. But the same things don’t exist now, so HPAEC is designed to fill the gap.”
Principal, Two Lines Inc., Grand Junction, CO
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
San Onofre
Homeland Security