Mary Bird Perkins’ Chief of Physics Named ASTRO Fellow
Dr. Kenneth Hogstrom receives honor from world’s largest radiation oncology society
Photo available for download. Captions available at end of release.
(Baton Rouge, LA) – Kenneth R. Hogstrom, PhD, chief of physics at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, has been awarded the distinction of being named American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, or ASTRO, Fellow. Dr. Hogstrom is also the director of Louisiana State University’s medical physics program and the new Dr. Charles M. Smith chair of Medical Physics at LSU, an endowed chair to support cancer research.
“I am pleased to honor these individuals who have dedicated their careers to radiation oncology, ASTRO and the patients we serve everyday,” said K. Kian Ang, MD, PhD, chairman of ASTRO’s board of directors. “In its second year, this class of ASTRO Fellows is an impressive group of some of the brightest in our field; it is a pleasure to recognize them for their outstanding achievements.”
Hogstrom is a renowned expert in medical physics and radiation cancer treatment and is highly respected nationally and internationally for his professional activity. His primary area of research is in electron therapy. An algorithm he developed resulted in software found in most commercial treatment planning systems used in electron radiotherapy to treat superficial cancers, particularly in the head and neck, as well as the chest wall following breast surgery.
Members of ASTRO are eligible to become a Fellow if they have been part of the Society for at least 20 years, served in a leadership role for the organization and have made a significant contribution to the field of radiation oncology. The primary pathways to becoming a Fellow are research, patient care, education and leadership/service. Each nominee needed to have a truly outstanding contribution to at least one of the pathways to be named a Fellow.
The nominations were reviewed by a nine-member Fellows Selection Committee who made recommendations to the ASTRO Board of Directors to make their final selection.
The 40 distinguished members of the 2007 class of ASTRO Fellows received their awards at a special ceremony during the 49th Annual Meeting held October 28 through November 1, 2007 in Los Angeles.
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with nearly 9,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy.
###
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center:
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 35 years. It is the only independent, nonprofit cancer treatment, education and research facility in Louisiana providing state of the art
radiation therapy to all community residents regardless of ability to pay. Mary Bird Perkins has integrated cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons –
the gold standard for community-based cancer care. The Center also enjoys a long-standing relationship with North Oaks Hospital in Hammond.
About the C.A.R.E. Network:
The mission of the C.A.R.E. Network (Cancer Support Services, Awareness and Education, Research and Early Detection) is to lessen the burden of cancer in the community. Established in 2002, it is funded by gifts from the community and provides hundreds of programs and services, including free cancer screenings, to thousands of people every year. The research and academic medical physics partnership with MBP and Louisiana State University is also funded in part by the C.A.R.E. Network. The Center has locations in Baton Rouge, Covington and Hammond.
Photo 1 Caption
Kenneth Hogstrom, PhD