As we approach the holiday season, here’s a throwback to December 14, 2024. The Medical Physics Graduate Program of Duke University held its 20th Anniversary Gala at the Washington Duke Inn, a festive celebration that brought together more than 300 guests in their holiday finest, including 100 alumni who answered the call to “Come home… to your medical physics roots!”
Program Director Mark Oldham PhD opened the evening as master of ceremonies, warmly reflecting on the program’s growth and its nurturing environment. He spoke to the assembled alumni, students, and faculty about the sense of community that defines Duke Medical Physics. “For many of you, this is where it all started – your medical physics adventures. This event is a reunion, a celebration of our collective journey and the individual paths that you have all taken since leaving these halls.”
We heard remarks from the program’s two clinical department chairs. Chris Willett MD, Chair of Radiation Oncology, described the program’s transformation from a fledgling idea into a cornerstone of Duke’s medical science offerings. “It’s amazing how it has evolved over the last 20 years into a highly successful educational program, but also, very importantly, a pillar for departments such as radiation oncology and diagnostic radiology.” Erik Paulson MD, Chair of Radiology, recalled the informal beginnings and the camaraderie that inspired its inception. “It’s pretty cool that the seeds of this program were planted over 25 years ago, and grew out of a regular Friday morning research meeting where lots of coffee was drunk. Those Friday meetings weren’t just about research – they were about dreaming big and building something lasting together.”
Co-Founder Jim Dobbins PhD (Director 2004-2015) recounted the excitement and challenges of launching a new graduate program. “We got the green light! Now, how do we get students to enroll in a program that didn’t exist a few months ago?” he laughed. He added: “From the outset, our vision was to create a program that not only taught the fundamentals but also pushed the envelope in research and clinical application.”
Co-Founder Ehsan Samei PhD (Director 2015-2019) reflected on the program’s values of idealism, humility, and service. “We might be brilliant scientists,” he said, “But we are also called to put that science into service of society. As we look to the future, our commitment to advancing medical physics must also evolve, ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of technological and medical progress.”
We honored Olga Baranova PhD, the program’s longtime manager who retired after serving since its inception 20 years ago. She was presented with a custom-designed piece of jewelry inspired by the program logo, and received a heartfelt standing ovation.
Interwoven throughout the evening were special entertainment by faculty, alumni, and students, including a lively music ensemble and a classical Indian dance performance. As the evening drew to a close, Associate Director Joseph Lo PhD announced the Duke Medical Physics Fund for Excellence, a major initiative to sustain the program’s mission for the next 20 years and beyond. The Fund will support scholarships and student research that keep Duke at the forefront of medical physics education and discovery.
The celebration concluded with a champagne toast by Director Oldham, an epic group photo, and an evening of mingling and dancing set to the tunes of DJ (and alum) Jeff Fenoli. The Duke Medical Physics community extends heartfelt thanks to all who joined in celebrating two decades of excellence, mentorship, and impact. Here’s to the next 20 years of discovery and innovation in medical physics!
