2011 Award of Excellence Winner:

Rudi J. Bertrand, BS, CMD


Rudi J. Bertrand, BS, CMD

 

The 2011 AAMD Award of Excellence recipient, Rudi J. Bertrand, BS, CMD, has the unique ability to brighten up a room full of people with his vivacious personality and enthusiasm toward life. We have been very fortunate that he extended this passion into the medical dosimetry profession where he has repeatedly demonstrated his dedication and commitment. Rudi has served the AAMD in many different capacities through what seemed to be a single-minded determination to advance the AAMD. Shortly after joining the AAMD in 1990, he became active in the Membership Committee for eight years and continued his involvement through the Annual Conference Committee, Education Committee, Human Resources Committee, Government Relations Committee and Bylaws Committee. He joined the Board of Directors in 1993 as Membership Secretary followed by Recording Secretary for a total of six years. Rudi has also served as President for two terms resulting in two consecutive three-year rotations through the positions of President-Elect, President and Immediate Past President.  Additional AAMD service includes, but is not limited to, being the AQMIRT Liaison, Government Relations Liaison and member of the AAMD Foundation Strategic Planning Committee.

Having every reason to be proud of his accomplishments, Rudi includes as his personal milestones:

  • Involvement with the AAMD
  • Certification by the MDCB
  • Origination and continued development of the AAMD Education and Research Foundation

Currently, Rudi works as a Staff Dosimetrist, providing coverage for the main campus and two satellite facilities at the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Rudi's particular focus is SBRT. In addition, he shares the position of Clinical Preceptor for Dosimetry Students and functions as the Dosimetry Rotation Coordinator. Since his tenure as Immediate Past President ended in 2008, he has held the office of Treasurer of the AAMD Education and Research Foundation. He is one of the three founding Trustees of the Foundation. Clearly Rudi is a strong advocate for Dosimetrists in general and the AAMD as the representative body for the profession. When asked his views on the AAMD and volunteerism, Rudi said:

"I have always felt that the AAMD is the crucial voice for the Medical Dosimetry profession. Having a strong professional society backed by solid certification is the only way our opinions will be heard. If we're not speaking for ourselves, someone else will. Being involved with the AAMD has been a privilege. I have grown in so many ways, been exposed to many new opportunities, met other professionals who have become life-long friends and achieved a level of satisfaction and job accomplishment that I could not have imagined. My career would be a shadow of itself had I not chosen to volunteer with the AAMD."

As for the future, Rudi plans to continue his role as a practicing Clinical Dosimetrist until he retires. He remains committed to volunteering his time and energies with supporting organizations. In the fall of 2011, he will begin another chapter in volunteering his time for the profession when he becomes an At-Large Representative on the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board. He encourages young Dosimetrists to get involved in the AAMD in any way they feel comfortable contributing.

For many, Rudi seems larger than life and his contributions are incredible. For those of us on the Board and others who have witnessed his tireless efforts on behalf of the AAMD, his humanity, his kindness and his willingness to act as a mentor to so many of us speaks to his leadership character. We could not be happier to see the 2011 AAMD Award of Excellence awarded to Rudi J. Bertrand.

History

Varian has long been, and continues to be, a supporter of the AAMD. In 2007 Varian informed the AAMD of a change in their corporate policy. They were no longer making individual monetary awards which did not have a direct educational association. This change in underwriting the honorarium compelled the AAMD Board to change the name of the award to the AAMD Award of Excellence as well as fully fund the standing honorarium.

Historical List of Award Winners

Varian Award of Excellence
1999 Ray Garcia
2000 David Robinson
2001 Mona Weller
2002 Carol Ann Schneider
2003 Carolyn Dicker
2004 Robin Famiglietti
2005 Jan Jensen
2006 Mary Hare
 
AAMD Award of Excellence
2007 Keith Moore
2008 Matt Tobler
2009 Robert Adams
2010 Lon Marsh
2011 Rudi J. Bertrand

AAMD Award of Excellence (Process)

The AAMD Award of Excellence and its predecessor, the "Varian/AAMD Award of Excellence", were established to recognize individuals and their significant accomplishments in the field of Medical Dosimetry. One winner each year will be selected from a field of nominees for this award. The award will be presented to the selected individual at the AAMD Annual Meeting. The award is for $2500 and a crystal trophy.

Nomination:
Nominations for this award are to be submitted no later than November 1st for the coming Annual Meeting. Nominations can be made by any member of the AAMD. Nominations are sent to the Selection Committee Chairperson via a written nomination received by email or letter. Nominated individuals will be asked to submit a CV by December 1st of that year. The addresses to submit a nomination are posted on the AAMD website and published in the AAMD Journal. A nominee will remain a candidate for the award for the next 2 years. The nominations will then be forwarded to the Selection Committee for review. The Selection Committee members will communicate their individual selections to the Awards Chairperson for counting by January 15th to select a winner. The Award Chairperson will then notify the award winner which will be followed by a letter from the AAMD President. Nominated individuals who are not selected to receive the award will be notified by the Committee Chairperson by January 30th.

Selection Committee:
The Selection Committee is comprised of all former award winners as well as a MDCB liaison to the AAMD, an AAPM liaison to the AAMD, and a JRCERT representative to the AAMD. Previous award recipients can nominate a candidate but will be disqualified from the Selection Committee that year.

Criteria for Recognition:

AAMD member in good standing for at least the last 10 years. The candidate must be living at the cutoff date for curriculum vitae submission (December 1st) for a nomination to proceed for an award presentation at the next Annual Meeting.

Significant contribution to the field of Medical Dosimetry as demonstrated by any/all of the following:

  • AAMD Committee Service
  • AAMD Board of Director position
  • Publication of articles pertaining to the field
  • Legislative efforts on behalf of the profession
  • Lectures at local/regional/national meetings
  • Research activities within the profession
  • Outstanding years of clinical service — 10 years or more
  • An educator in a recognized Dosimetry Program
  • Significant professional accomplishments in the Radiation Oncology field

Post Selection Process:
Once the recipient is selected, the Award Chairperson will write an announcement for the AAMD Journal. The Award Committee Chairperson and the award recipient will verify this announcement for accuracy. The announcement is due to the publisher by April 10th for publication in the summer issue of the AAMD Journal. In addition, notification will be sent to the Awards Committee (for crystal order and engraving), to the Annual Meeting Chairpersons, and the AAMD President/Treasurer to disperse the award monies.

Award Presentation:
The AAMD Award of Excellence will be presented during the membership luncheon at the AAMD Annual Meeting. The recipient will provide the Award Chairperson/AAMD President with biographical information that will be used during the award presentation. If the recipient is unable to attend, their designated representative will accept the award.

To submit AAMD Award of Excellence nominations or if you have questions or comments, please contact:

Christopher Moore
cjmaamd@comcast.net