Division of Medical Physics

The Division of Medical Physics is primarily a clinical group which is responsible for quality control testing, regulatory compliance, and image quality assessment of diagnostic imaging equipment throughout the entire medical center. This equipment includes: radiographic units (fixed and mobile), fluoroscopy units (fixed and mobile), angiography units, CT scanners, gamma cameras, PET/CT scanners, ultrasound units, and MRI scanners. The division also has a major role in the ACR accreditation for mammography, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound, and in accreditation by the Joint Commission.

Clinical Responsibilities

Medical Physics is involved in evaluations and assessments for new equipment acquisitions and in applications of new technology. Medical Physics works in cooperation with biomedical engineering services to resolve malfunctions of imaging equipment. Medical Physics maintains records of imaging equipment QC and performance.

Education

Faculty from the Division of Medical Physics teach radiology residents and Columbia University graduate students in the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics and the Mailman School of Public Health. The physics division also offers a CAMPEP approved Imaging Physics Residency program.

Radiology residents receive lectures covering the design and operation of imaging equipment, image quality assessments, and radiation safety issues. The program also provides a board review in preparation for board certification examinations.

There are three different courses taught for Columbia University graduate students. Diagnostic Radiology Physics covers physics topics related to x-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound imaging; Nuclear Medicine Physics covers the topics related to radioisotope imaging; and a laboratory Practicum course provides practical experience with various clinical physics evaluations and measurements. Faculty are involved with mentoring graduate students and acting as advisors for thesis research projects.

Research

The faculty members of Medical Physics have been collaboratively involved in research activities with Columbia faculty and residents leading to publications related to:

• Image quality assessments
• Radiation dosimetry
• CT doses to pediatric patients
• Ultrasound image quality and QC testing
• MRI imaging
• PET/CT imaging
• Digital systems
• Quantifications of various clinical parameters
• Topics related to cardiac and angiographic imaging studies
• PACS and computerized systems
• Dual energy CT bone mineral assessments