The Service Departments within the Division collaborate to provide a diverse range of direct clinical services and support (both professional and technical) to the Radiation Therapy Program within CancerCare Manitoba. Our support to the Provincial Imaging Program is predominantly in the areas of Nuclear Medicine, CT, MRI and Diagnostic X-ray (primarily pediatric radiology) as well as in Mammography. We are responsible for the direction and delivery of the Provincial Radiation Protection Program, including the setting of radiological protection standards and for the administration and/or regulation of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation emitting equipment in Manitoba. A strong medical engineering group, consisting of the Nuclear Electronics and our ISO 9001 certified Medical Devices team, supported from an IT perspective by the Department of Information Services, services and maintains major therapeutic (Linear Accelerators, Co-60 Units, Gamma Knife, etc.) and diagnostic equipment (Gamma Cameras, CT/Sim, Mammography, PET/CT units, etc.) in the city and are involved in the design, development and manufacture of specialized medical equipment for a variety of health care clients. Through our research and academic programs, we maintain close academic ties with the University of Manitoba and the two teaching hospitals with staff holding academic appointments in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Department of Radiology and having Medical Staff privileges in the WRHA.
Radiotherapy Physics
- Supports specification, commissioning and operation of Simulation and Treatment Planning: including HDR brachytherapy source localization and planning and advanced CT and 3D based external beam treatment planning.
- Review and evaluate treatment plans and provide a clinical consultation service in Radiological Physics and Treatment Planning to Radiation Oncologists and Radiation Therapists.
- Develop, maintain and administer the Clinical Dosimetry and Quality Assurance Programs.
- Coordinate and develop new techniques/tools that further the Radiation Therapy process and participate in the training of Radiation Therapists and Radiation Oncology Residents.
- Specify, evaluate, install, accept and commission new equipment, design facilities and further its clinical use.
Imaging Physics - Radiation Protection Services
- Provide consultants to support the activities of the Manitoba Radiology community, including:- accreditation & QC surveys; technical specification, evaluation and acceptance of new equipment; design and testing of QC methods; image processing; trouble shooting and software development.
- Provide imaging physics and radiation protection management and support to CCMB.
- Administer the Manitoba program of compliance assurance for non-ionizing radiation emitting devices including:- therapeutic ultrasound, UV lamps and tanning devices, RF diathermy units.
- Regulate the operation and performance of ionizing radiation emitting equipment in medical facilities including:- equipment registration, specification and validation of shielding, radiation surveys, image quality consultation and personnel dose monitoring.
- As a consequence of competence in radiation safety matters we offer our expertise in radioactivity and radiation measurements to other CNSC license holders.
- Are on call for Radiological Emergencies within the Province of Manitoba
Nuclear Electronics & Medical Devices
- Provide first-line mechanical and electronics support and service for major equipment used by the Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine programs in Urban Winnipeg Hospitals.
- Provide electronics support to Medical Physics, Cell Biology and Medical Oncology, and as appropriate to outside organizations on a contractual basis.
- Maintain technical competence of our staff so that they are recognized as authorized service personnel by the equipment manufacturers.
- Support and provide leadership in specifying, administering and maintaining clinical and research computer systems for the Division and the programs it supports.
- Provide a complete range of precision mechanical services including design, prototyping and manufacture to the Medical Physics, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Programs and on a limited contractual basis to other departments/programs at CCMB and in the RHA’s.
Medical Physics/Academic and Research Program
- The Division is responsible for the content, administration and delivery of the Medical Physics undergraduate courses as well as the Medical Physics graduate program presented as part of the University of Manitoba’s program in Physics and Astronomy.
- Provide clinical training and lecture to the Radiation Oncology and Radiology Residents as part of their Resident Training Programs
- Through appropriate in-service training programs, ensure that our staff remains at the leading edge of their professions. Liase with and contribute to the in-service programs of other service departments and programs.
- Through a collaborative Departmental Research Program advance the field of Medical Physics while maintaining the highest quality of clinical care for our patients at CCMB.
Contact Information
Medical Physics Division
Provincial Director, Medical Physics
Dr. Jeff Bews
(204) 787-1804
Radiotherapy Physics
Dr. Boyd McCurdy
(204) 787-1966
Imaging Physics, Radiation Protection Services
Dr. Ingvar Fife Ph.D.
(204) 787-2213
Nuclear Electronics & Medical Devices
Dr. Jeff Bews
(204) 787-1804
Medical Physics/Academic and Research Program
Dr. Boyd McCurdy
(204)787-1966