Re: Health Physics Society => Radiation Safety Society

["ruth_weiner" <ruth_weiner@email.msn.com>]

I am not a radiation safety officer.  Moreover, I always think changing a
society's name is fraught  with unforeseen problems.  Finally, since I find
myself in disagreement with Ray Johnson's construct about dealing with the
public and communication issues, I would like to know the rationale for
suggesting the change.

I have an undergraduate degree in physics.  Nothing wrong with physics!
More people should study it.

Ruth Weiner
ruth_weiner@msn.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vernig, Peter G. <Peter.Vernig@med.va.gov>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2000 9:38 AM
Subject: Health Physics Society => Radiation Safety Society


>Group,
>
>HPS President, Ray Johnson proposed changing the name of HPS to Radiation
>Safety Society.  This would seem a suitable topic for some discussion.
>
>Some thoughts; Not all of us are physicists by degree or training.  I
happen
>to be a chemist by degree.
>
>My official government job title is Health Physicist.  I put Radiation
>Safety Officer on my business card and all correspondence.  When asked what
>I do, I almost always respond that I am either a radiation safety
specialist
>or more often the radiation safety officer at the VA.  On the occasions
>where I say health physicist, it is usually because it is an official
>situation or, I am ashamed to admit, I want to impress someone.
>
>Frequently when I have told someone I am a health physicist or put it on a
>form, I have to spend 5 minutes explaining what I do.  If I say radiation
>safety, the frequency and length of explanation is much less.
>
>I guess the tone of my message is more in favor of the change, but at least
>I think the proposal deserves serious consideration.  What do members of
>this group think?
>
>
>Any opinions expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily represent
those
>of the Denver VA Medical Center, The Department of Veterans Affairs, or the
>U.S. Government.
>
>Peter G. Vernig
>Radiation Safety Officer, VA Medical Center, 1055 Clermont St. Denver, CO
>80220, ATTN; RSO MS 115
>303-399-8020 ext. 2447, peter.vernig@med.va.gov [alternate
>vernig.peter@forum.va.gov] Fax 303-393-5026 [8 - 4:30 MT service] Alternate
>Fax 303-377-5686
>
>"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,, whatever is
>pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is found to be
>excellent or praiseworthy, let your mind dwell on these things."    Paul
>
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