Sustainability in Healthcare: The Medical Physics Contribution
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I warmly welcome you to International Medical Physics Week 2026, taking place from 20 to 24 April, with a daily webinar at 12:00 noon GMT. This year’s theme: “Sustainability in Healthcare: The Medical Physics Contribution”, recognizes the urgent need to embed environmental, economic, and social sustainability into healthcare systems and highlights the role that medical physicists play in advancing sustainable practices across the globe.
As healthcare systems globally face increasing pressures, from climate change to rising costs and disparities in access, our profession is uniquely positioned to contribute solutions that are efficient, resilient, and sustainable. Whether by reducing energy consumption in imaging and therapy, minimizing waste in clinical workflows, or deploying innovative models in resource-limited settings, the work we do directly improves patient outcomes and environmental stewardship.
Across five days, IMPW will feature leading voices in sustainability from across disciplines and regions, offering insights that are both globally relevant and grounded in local experience.
Day 3 is dedicated to Healthcare Sustainability in LMIC Countries. Speakers Prof Hasin Anupama Azhari, Dr Patricia Mora Rodriguez, and Dr Iyobosa B. Uwadiae bring perspectives from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. They will share how medical physicists in low- and middle-income countries address sustainability challenges that extend beyond environmental concerns to include issues such as fragile infrastructure, limited resources, professional recognition, brain drain, and equitable access to life-saving technologies.
On Day 4, speakers Dr Virginia Tsapaki, Dr Mohammad Hassan Kharita, and Prof Mika Kortesniemi will present solutions from the IAEA coordinated research project on remote and automated quality control for radiology. This session emphasizes cost-effective, scalable quality assurance that supports consistent imaging quality—especially in regions with limited expert resources—strengthening sustainability through shared tools and collaboration.
Finally on Day 5, in our closing session, Prof Ratko Magjarević, Prof Marcia Barbosa, and Prof John Damilakis explore how the physical and engineering sciences continue to drive sustainable innovation in healthcare. Discussions will include how physics-based methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity building contribute to resilient systems that prioritize patient safety, efficiency, and equitable access.
On Day 1, we will hear from Dr Fiona Adshead, Chair of the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, who will explore how healthcare systems can transform through “sustainable by design” approaches—measuring impact across the care value chain. Alongside her, Dr Robert Chuter will highlight practical initiatives within radiotherapy including carbon footprint reduction and the establishment of sustainability groups within professional practice.
On Day 2, the focus shifts to medical imaging and radiation oncology physics , where Dr Diana Carver and Dr Andrew Hernandez will discuss how medical physicists can lead environmentally sustainable imaging and radiotherapy practices, by optimizing imaging protocols, enhancing energy efficiency, minimizing waste, and informing decisions that protect both patients and planetary health.
Day 3 is dedicated to Healthcare Sustainability in LMIC Countries. Speakers Prof Hasin Anupama Azhari, Dr Patricia Mora Rodriguez, and Dr Iyobosa B. Uwadiae bring perspectives from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. They will share how medical physicists in low- and middle-income countries address sustainability challenges that extend beyond environmental concerns to include issues such as fragile infrastructure, limited resources, professional recognition, brain drain, and equitable access to life-saving technologies.
On Day 4, speakers Dr Virginia Tsapaki, Dr Mohammad Hassan Kharita, and Prof Mika Kortesniemi will present solutions from the IAEA coordinated research project on remote and automated quality control for radiology. This session emphasizes cost-effective, scalable quality assurance that supports consistent imaging quality—especially in regions with limited expert resources—strengthening sustainability through shared tools and collaboration.
Finally on Day 5, in our closing session, Prof Ratko Magjarević, Prof Marcia Barbosa, and Prof John Damilakis explore how the physical and engineering sciences continue to drive sustainable innovation in healthcare. Discussions will include how physics-based methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity building contribute to resilient systems that prioritize patient safety, efficiency, and equitable access.
Sustainability will perhaps impact the younger generation the most, so I took the liberty to ask a few of our members to share what sustainability in healthcare care meant for them:
Stephen, Australia: “Sustainability in healthcare is important to ensure high-quality patient care is delivered safely and responsibly. Medical physicists contribute by optimising imaging and treatment modalities, reducing unnecessary exposures, and maintaining equipment over its full life cycle. This ensures imaging and radiation treatments are safe, efficient, and less wasteful. By optimising technology, we can ensure high-quality patient care remains sustainable for generations to come.”
Aik Hao, Malaysia: “Sustainability in healthcare is a collective effort to protect our planet. Medical physicists, alongside other healthcare professionals, can contribute by cultivating and integrating sustainability into everyday work practices. Every small step counts”.
Franklin, Philippines: “Sustainability in healthcare is essential to ensure that high-quality, safe, and equitable medical services remain accessible to future generations. As medical physicists, we can make a meaningful difference by optimizing imaging and treatment protocols, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure, extending equipment life through quality assurance, and promoting resource-efficient technologies demonstrating that patient safety, clinical excellence, and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Talent, United Kingdom: “Sustainability in healthcare is not a distraction to clinical excellence, rather it is an extension of it. As medical physicists we have the analytical tools and technical expertise to drive this initiative through optimisation, protection and improvement in patient service delivery hence building a more resilient healthcare system.”
Melissa, Australia: “Healthcare is a major contributor to waste accumulation, therefore, sustainability should be a key consideration when implementing new treatments and procedures, particularly as the sector continues to grow, placing increasing demands on the world’s resources. Change needs to come from well-defined procedures that are actively encouraged and supported by both clinical leads and management”.
Wishing you an impactful International Medical Physics Week 2026.
Looking forward to seeing you in April
Eva Bezak
President, IOMP
Link: https://www.iomp.org/international-medical-physics-week-impw-2026/