Recognising International Day of Medical Physics

This year’s theme, “Inspiring the Next Generation of Medical Physicists,” emphasises the importance of training and ongoing professional development. To mark the day, we are proud to share stories from one of our experienced medical physicists with a passion for training the next generation and a medical physics registrar (trainee) beginning their career.

Excellence in training 

Anne’s career began in a time when “there was no formal training program for medical physicists. You just got a job and learnt on the job,” she recalled. The structured program she helped develop now ensures new physicists are both highly skilled and deeply committed to patient safety.

At Icon, Anne helps guide registrars through their three-year training program, supporting them as they learn both the technical and human elements of the role.

“The training is tough, with a huge curriculum and many assessment milestones, but it produces fantastic physicists who put the patient at the heart of their work,” Anne explained.

Recently, Anne applied for a grant to expand Icon’s training program, with hopes to make our annual training days quarterly. Held in collaboration with public hospitals like Barwon Health in Geelong, these sessions give registrars access to techniques and equipment they might not otherwise see.

“Within our Icon network, we’re able to provide expertise that’s often missing from general training,” Anne said.

“For example, last year, we trained registrars on low-energy X-ray treatment for skin cancer—a capability we have at Freemasons that is not found in all hospitals. It’s about connecting registrars with resources and specialists that we’re fortunate to have in-house to support their learning.”

Fostering future healthcare professionals 

Anne’s commitment goes beyond sharing technical knowledge; she’s a mentor who understands the unique pressures of medical physics.

“When you’re a medical physicist, you need to make the right call under pressure, always with the patient in mind,” she said.

“In radiotherapy, you’re giving patients a very high dose of X-rays, so getting it right is crucial. It’s not just about following rules—it’s about understanding the science deeply enough to make good judgments.”

Anne’s dedication to training and mentorship is not only enhancing the expertise within Icon but contributing to the growth of medical physics training across Australia and beyond, equipping the next generation to deliver highly skilled, world-class, patient-focused care.

Training at the forefront of innovation

Completing his training at Icon, Zeyao is immersed in advanced technology and innovative practices – an environment he credits with fuelling his growth.

“Training at Icon means working at the forefront of innovation, using tools like AI scripting and automated quality assurance to deliver faster, high-quality care,” he said.

“With constant new technology, I’m always learning with the support of my team. Though it can be overwhelming, it’s helped me grow tremendously and made my career so fulfilling.”

Blending clinical practice with research

Looking ahead, Zeyao envisions a career blending clinical work with research, with plans to pursue a PhD alongside his medical physics practice.

“My current role feeds my passion for the practical side of physics, but I really want to tap into my research side and learn how to advance my practice and cancer treatments,” he said.

Recently, Zeyao has homed in on research, presenting his first research abstract on HyperSight at the Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine (EPSM) Conference in mid-November.

“I’m thrilled to share my research and showcase the potential of HyperSight, a technology Icon is helping pioneer in cancer imaging,” he shared.

Inspiring the next generation of medical physics 

Zeyao’s message to medical physics students and trainees is to persevere through the challenges because the reward is worth it.

“If you are struggling, I want you to remember the end goal – helping advance cancer care and relieve the cancer burden,” he said.

“Knowing I can make impact keeps me going, so I hope this inspires you to keeping going and make a difference.”

Our Impact

Swipe right to view the global impact our highly experienced medical physicists have made over the last 12 months.

Committed to the future of healthcare

At Icon, we are committed to ensuring our teams have the support they need to continue making a lasting impact. This includes providing opportunities for development and growth, along with investing in the latest technology and pioneering advacements in cancer care to remain at the forefront of innovation, and continue delivering the highest quality patient care.  

Learn more about a career at Icon.