Re: HPS Membership

["Otto G. Raabe" <ograabe@ucdavis.edu>]

August 27, 1997
Davis, CA

Earlier this month there was considerable discussion of the implications of
lack of membership in the Health Physics Society (HPS) or CHP certification
(CHP) on the professional competence of a reported "leading radiation
safety expert". As President of the Health Physics Society I would like to
comment on this issue. 

It was noted that there are competent health physicists who are neither
members of the HPS nor CHP certified. It was also noted that membership and
certification do not equal infallibility. All true. However, there are also
some physicians, veterinarians, and scientists who present themselves as
experts in radiation safety whose training in health physics is limited and
whose radiation knowledge is peripheral to that needed to be a "specialist
in radiation safety". The important issue is what we learn when we find
that someone is an HPS member and/or CHP certified. 

Membership in the Health Physics Society tends to indicate a dedicated
professional. Membership shows an interest in associating and communicating
with other health physicists, keeping up to date on changing standards of
practice, and contributing personal knowledge to the benefit of our
colleagues. The HPS is a 6,500-member professional and scientific
association dedicated to radiation safety. Our members represent the
highest level of professional skills. CHP indicates that we are willing to
make special efforts to advance our expertise and maintain our skills.
Certification indicates a high level of competence. Membership and
certification are signs of professionalism.

The multiple benefits of membership include: a) an informative and readable
monthly HPS Newsletter, b) the prestigious monthly journal Health Physics,
c) the invaluable HPS Membership Directory & Handbook, d) a complimentary
copy of each new ANSI Standard published by the Society, e) reduced
registration fees for meetings, f) an inexpensive in-depth annual summer
school with high-quality text book written by the instructors, g) numerous
educational opportunities, and h) public recognition as a dedicated
professional. The HPS Directory and Handbook alone is an invaluable
resource for each of us in facilitating communication and professional
growth. 

The Health Physics Society is the premier radiation safety professional
society in the United States and perhaps the world. Why would a dedicated
American health physicist not become a member? In 1960 I was a young Naval
officer working as a health physicist and I sought HPS membership as a
desirable enhancement of my professional development. Later, after graduate
school I sought certification as an indication of my level of professional
skills even though I had a doctoral degree. I believe that these are
natural steps for anyone working as a dedicated professional in the field
of radiation safety. 

I believe that the Health Physics Society is a national resource as
"Specialists in Radiation Safety" and, as such, is poised to contribute to
solutions of societal problems involving radiation. I encourage all
non-member health physicists to join the Health Physics Society. The first
year's dues are only $50. To get an application form send e-mail requests
to the Health Physics Society at hpsburkmgt@aol.com

Sincerely,

Otto

		*****************************************************
		Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
                [President, Health Physics Society, 1997-1998]
		Institute of Toxicology & Environmental Health (ITEH)
		     (Street address: Old Davis Road)
		University of California, Davis, CA 95616
		Phone: 916-752-7754     FAX: 916-758-6140
		E-Mail: ograabe@ucdavis.edu
		******************************************************