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Biography

Dr. West has an extensive amount of experience in a broad range of medical and health physics areas. After service with both the Department of Energy and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a variety of technical and regulatory roles, Dr. West spent several years in private practice with Phoenix Technology Corporation as a Senior Medical Physicist and Director of MRI Operations. Dr. West now operates West Physics, helping clients with their physics needs throughout the United States. Among his activities and accomplishments, Dr. West has been the recipient of the NRC’s Special Act Award and the University of Michigan College of Engineering’s Outstanding Recent Alumni Award; has participated in U.S. nuclear diplomatic negotiations at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria; has delivered the keynote address to the National Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors; has presented numerous seminars on diagnostic imaging quality assurance and radiation dose reduction; and is the holder of a United States Patent.

In addition to his many other responsibilities, Dr. West has served as an advisor to the Joint Commission on image quality and radiation safety issues, most recently providing technical advice related to the 2015 Joint Commission Imaging Standards changes. Dr. West also serves on the Standards Committee for RadSite, a CMS-approved imaging accreditation body; as a member of the AAPM Professional Survey Subcommittee; as a member of the AHRA Education Foundation Steering Committee; and on the External Advisory Board of the University of Michigan’s School of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (currently the top-ranked graduate nuclear engineering program in the U.S.).

Dr. West serves as Adjunct Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan, teaching Medical Imaging Physics.

Dr. West is originally from Atlanta, Georgia.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (with specialty in Medical Physics, Radiological and Environmental Sciences) – The University of Michigan
• Master’s of Radiological Health Engineering – The University of Michigan
• Bachelor’s of Nuclear Engineering – Georgia Institute of Technology

Certifications

• American Board of Radiology – Diagnostic Radiological Physics
• American Board of Health Physics – Comprehensive Health Physics

Memberships

• American Academy of Health Physics
• American Association of Physicists in Medicine
• American Healthcare Radiology Administrators
• Society of Directors of Academic Medical Physics Programs

Publications

West, W.G., Kearfott, K.J., and Seow, C.Y., “Investigation of Optically Stimulated Luminescence and Signal Fading Properties of Several Materials”, Health Phys., vol. 112 no. 6, pp. 560-577, June 2017.

West, W.G., “CT Dose Optimization and its Global Impact on Stakeholders”, Hlthc. Bus. News, pp. 84-88, Sept. 2016

Kearfott, K. J., West, W. G., “An Affordable Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeter Reader Utilizing Multiple Excitation Wavelengths”, Appl. Radiat. Isot., vol. 104, pp. 87-99, 2015.

Kearfott, K.J., West, W.G., Rafique, M., “The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties of LIF:Mg,Tl, Li2B4O7:Cu, CaSO4:Tm, and CaF2:Mn thermoluminescent (TL) materials”, Appl. Radiat. Isot., vol. 99, pp. 155-161, May 2015.

West, W.G., “How to Create a World Class Dose Reduction Program”, Radiol. Mgmt., pp. 39-41, Sep/Oct 2014.

West, W.G., “Preparing for (and Surviving) an ACR On-Site Accreditation Inspection”, Radiol. Mgmt., pp. 12-13, Nov/Dec 2011.

West, W.G., Kearfott, K.J., and Bernal, S.M., “The Sunlight OSL Response of a-Al2O3:C”, Rad. Prot. Dosim., vol. 119 no. 1-4, pp. 344-349, April 2006.

West, W.G., Kalchik, A.F., et. al., “An Affordable Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeter Reader”, Health Physics Society, 2005.

Bell, Z.W., West, W.G., et. al., “Monte Carlo Analysis of a Mercuric Iodide Neutron/Gamma Detector”, Trans. on Nucl. Sci., 2005 (in review).

Bell, Z.W., Carpenter, D.A., et. al., “Neutron Detection with Cryogenics and Semiconductors”, Phys. Stat. Sol. (C), vol. 2 no. 5, pp. 1592-1605, 2005.

McDonald, J.T., West, W.G., and Kearfott, K.J., “An Evaluation of the Kearny Fallout Meter (KFM), a Radiation Detector Constructed from Commonly Available Household Materials”, Oper. Rad. Safety, vol. 87 no. 5, pp. S52-S57, November 2004.

West, W.G., Kearfott, K.J., and Bernal, S.M., “The Sunlight OSL Response of a-Al2O3:C”, Rad. Prot. Dosim., 2004 (in review).

Gunnett, R.B., Kearfott, K.J., et. al., “Simple Design of a Moving Mechanical Collimator for Varying Exposure of Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLDs) over a 15-Day Period”, Health Physics Society, 2003.

West, W.G. and Kearfott, K.J., “An Analysis of the Current State of MRI Quality Assurance Regulation in the United States and the Effect of the Increasing Regulatory Burden on the Health Care Industry” Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society, 2003.

Seminars Presented

“One Year After the JC Imaging Standards Changes – What Have We Learned and What’s Coming Next?” – 2016 AHRA Annual Meeting (Nashville, TN) – August 1-3, 2016

“The New Joint Commission Imaging Requirements – How to Ensure Your Facility is Ready” – GE Healthcare Educational Webinar – May 7, 2014.

“The New Joint Commission Imaging Requirements – How to Ensure That Your Facility is Ready” – AHRA 2014 Spring Conference (San Antonio, TX) – April 24, 2014.

“What Can We Learn From Ten Years and 2,000 ACR MRI Physics Surveys? The top five reasons why MRI units fail, and how to avoid failures at your facility” – GE Healthcare Educational Webinar – September 11, 2013.

“Radiation Dose Reduction: Tying It All Together” – 2013 AHRA Annual Meeting (Minneapolis, MN) – July 28, 2013.

“Recent Changes to the ACR CT Accreditation Program and How to Implement Them” – GE Healthcare Educational Webinar – March 27, 2013.

“Optimal Ways to Prepare and Plan for ACR Accreditation” – GE Healthcare Educational Webinar – June 15, 2011.

“ACR and IAC Accreditation for MRI, CT and Nuclear Medicine” – 2010 RSNA Annual Meeting (Chicago, IL) – December 2, 2010.

“ACR and IAC Accreditation for MRI, CT and Nuclear Medicine” – 2010 AHRA Annual Meeting (Washington, D.C.) – August 22, 2010.

“ACR/ICAMRL High-Field MRI Inspection Preparation and Program Update” – Daytona Beach, FL – October 13, 2008.

“ACR CT Accreditation: Getting Started and Staying Accredited” – Eugene, OR – January 27, 2008.

“ACR MRI Inspection Preparation and Program Update” – Daytona Beach, FL – October 8, 2007.

“The ACR CT Accreditation Program: Getting and Staying Accredited” – Daytona Beach, FL – October 8, 2007.

“Medical Physics and the MiniCAT: Covering the Technical and Regulatory Needs of the MiniCAT Owner” – San Diego, CA – February, 2007.

“Mammography Technology Update – New Products & Technologies” – New Orleans, LA – June 2, 2006.

“ACR Accreditation Update – Are You Ready for an On-Site Inspection?” – Las Vegas, NV – May 24-26, 2006.

“ACR Accreditation Update – Unique Problems and Solutions for 3T Scanners” – Las Vegas, NV – May 24-26, 2006.

“ACR Accreditation Update – Recent Developments & Preparing for an ACR Inspection” – Atlanta, GA – March 18, 2006.

“ACR Quality Control – MRI Program Update and Refresher” – Charleston, SC – October 9, 2004.

“ACR MRI Quality Assurance and the Current State of the ACR MRI Accreditation Program” – Las Vegas, NV – September 3-5, 2003.

“The ACR CT Accreditation Program – An Overview” – Las Vegas, NV – September 3-5, 2003.

“Designing and Managing an ACR Quality Control Program for Your Open MR Facility” – Las Vegas, NV – April 8-10, 2003.

“Understanding, Implementing & Maintaining an ACR MRI Quality Control Program at Your Facility” – Eugene, OR – January 18, 2003.

“Implementing the New ACR MRI QA Program – A Seminar for Technologists and Program Directors” – Atlanta, GA – July 20, 2002.

“MRI ACR Quality Control Procedures for the Technologist” – Orlando, FL – June 29, 2002.

“Optimizing Magnetic Resonance Image Quality & MRI Quality Assurance Under the New ACR Guidelines” (w/ Dr. Perry Sprawls) – Atlanta, GA – January 12, 2002.

Biography

Before joining West Physics, Mr. Abbasi worked as a health physics technician at the Neely Nuclear Research Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology – while simultaneously working towards two Master’s degrees in nuclear-related subjects. Prior to his graduate tenure, Mr. Abbasi held a variety of engineering positions overseas that provided him with a diverse technical knowledge base.

Mr. Abbasi is originally from Hyderabad, Pakistan.

Education

• Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering – Georgia Institute of Technology
• Master of Science in Health Physics – Georgia Institute of Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering & Technology – Mehran University

Certifications

• American Board of Radiology – Diagnostic Radiological Physics
• American Board of Medical Physics – Medical Health Physics

Publications

Z. A. Abbasi, “Identification and Calculation of Activity of Unknown Isotopes from Spectral Analysis in Radiological Dispersion Device Incidents”, Master’s Thesis, in press, defended June 2006.

Biography

Before joining West Physics, Dr. Durairaj pursued a broad range of magnetic materials science research for his Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky. He developed novel compounds using sophisticated crystal growth techniques, characterized synthesized crystals using x-ray diffraction crystallography, and investigated their physical properties in the presence of applied electric and high magnetic fields.

Dr. Durairaj also has engaged in space physics research at the Indian Space Research Organization, as well as working in the area of cosmological theoretical physics. Finally, Dr. Durairaj has extensive teaching experience and has a great interest in helping others to understand and enjoy science and technology.

Dr. Durairaj is originally from Tirunelveli, India.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Physics – University of Kentucky
• Master of Science in Physics – University of Kentucky
• Master of Science in Physics – Pondicherry University
• Bachelor of Science in Physics – Manonmaniam Sundaranar University

Certifications

• American Board of Radiology – Diagnostic Radiological Physics

Memberships

• American Association of Physicists in Medicine
• American Physical Society
• Neutron Scattering Society of America

Publications

G Cao, V Durairaj, S Chikara, LE De Long, P Schlottmann – “Observation of Strong Spin Valve Effect in Bulk Ca3(Ru1-xCrx)2O7″ – Phys. Rev. Lett. 100 016604 (2008).

G Cao, V Durairaj, S Chikara, LE Delong, S Parkin, P Schlottmann – “Non-Fermi-liquid Behavior in nearly Ferromagnetic SrIrO3 Single Crystals” – Phy. Rev. B 76 100402(R) (2007).

G Cao, V Durairaj, S Chikara, S Parkin, P Schlottmann – “Partial Antiferromagnetism in Spin-chain Sr5Rh4O12, Ca5Ir3O12 and Ca4IrO6 Single Crystals” – Phys. Rev. B 75 134402 (2007).

S Chikara, V Durairaj, WH Song, YP Sun, XN Lin, A Douglass, G Cao – “Borderline Magnetism in Sr4Ru3O10: Impact of Dilute La and Ca Doping on Itinerant Ferromagnetism and Metamagnetism” – Phys. Rev. B 73 224420 (2006).

V Durairaj, S Chikara, XN Lin, A Douglass, G Cao, P Schlottmann, ES Choi, RP Guertin – “Highly Anisotropic Magnetism in Cr Doped Perovskite Ruthenates” – Phys. Rev. B 73 214414 (2006).

V Durairaj, XN Lin, S Chikara, E Elhami, A Douglass, G Cao, ZX Zhou, P Schlottmann – “Observation of Oscillatory Magnetoresistance Periodic in 1/B and B in Ca3Ru2O7″ – Phys. Rev. B 73 054434 (2006).

XN Lin, ZX Zhou, V Durairaj, P Schlottmann, G Cao – “Colossal Magnetoresistance by Avoiding a Ferromagnetic State in the Mott System Ca3Ru2O7″ – Phys. Rev. Lett. 95 017203 (2005).

Biography

Ms. Anderko has been actively engaged in Medical Health Physics and Diagnostic Physics activities for the past 20 years in progressively challenging roles. Before joining West Physics, she was Radiation Safety Officer and Director of Medical Health Physics for a major medical center in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She is very experienced in the Health and Medical Physics activities and regulatory requirements of Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Basic Research with radiotracers, 60Co and 137Cs gamma irradiators, clinical therapeutic applications, and radiological emergency response.

Areas of interest include teaching, imaging physics QC, and also building programs that maximize safety for patients and workers while maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness for client users. She was involved in developing programs for microsphere therapy, fluoroscopy patient skin dose tracking, Fluoroscopy Credentialing Programs for non-Radiologists, computer-based self-learning programs, and NRC Increased Controls for quantities of concern.

Ms. Anderko is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Education

• Master of Science in Medical Health Physics – The University of Florida
• Bachelor of Science in Microbiology – The Pennsylvania State University

Certifications

• American Board of Radiology – Diagnostic Radiologic Physics
• American Board of Health Physics – Comprehensive Health Physics
• National Registry of Radiation Protection Technology

Memberships

• American Association of Physicists in Medicine
• Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
• Health Physics Society

Publications

R. Yankelevich, J. Wojcicka, V. Maier, C. Anderko, “Cesium-137 Source Strength Verification”, Medical Dosimetry, Vol 25., No. 1, 2000.

Seminars Presented

“Patient Skin Dose Calculations and Measurements in Fluoroscopy” – 2008 Delaware Valley Chapter AAPM Meeting – October 2008.

“Fluoroscopy Safety Program” – 2008 HPS Annual Meeting (Pittsburgh, PA) – July 2008.

“Fluoroscopy Dose Tracking with MIDAS” – 2008 HPS Annual Meeting (co-presenter) (Pittsburgh, PA) – July 2008.